Imagine witnessing a UFC legend's stunning downfall, only to see it hilariously recreated by a rival fighter and his young son. That's exactly what happened after Leon Edwards suffered a brutal knockout at UFC 322, marking his third consecutive loss—a first in his career. But here's where it gets controversial: should Edwards retire, or is there still fight left in the former welterweight champion?
Edwards, who once dominated the division by defeating the pound-for-pound king, Kamaru Usman, twice, has since fallen to former champ Belal Muhammad, rising star Sean Brady, and most recently, Carlos Prates. The knockout by Prates at UFC 322 was particularly devastating, leaving Edwards unconscious and sparking debates about his future in the sport. Post-fight, top contender Ian Machado Garry didn’t hold back, publicly calling for Edwards’ retirement and even poking fun at his rival by reenacting the knockout with his son, Leo.
In a playful yet pointed Instagram video, Machado Garry pretended to be Prates, delivering the knockout blow to Leo, who played the role of Edwards, dramatically collapsing to the floor. And this is the part most people miss: Leo, despite his father’s rivalry with Prates, has declared Prates as his favorite fighter—a hilarious twist that adds an unexpected layer to this story. Machado Garry even admitted, ‘Prates is my son’s favorite fighter, and after knocking out Leon, he’s now my favorite fighter too.’
But let’s not forget the bigger picture. Machado Garry, currently ranked #6, is set to face Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar this weekend. With back-to-back wins over Prates and Muhammad, he could position himself as a serious title contender. Meanwhile, Prates and Michael Morales are also in the title conversation after their impressive performances at UFC 322. Could Machado Garry leapfrog them and challenge Makhachev directly?
This situation raises a thought-provoking question: Is Machado Garry’s rise a testament to his skill, or is he simply capitalizing on Edwards’ decline? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you think Edwards should retire, or does he still have what it takes to reclaim his glory? And who do you think deserves the next welterweight title shot? Let the debate begin!
