Edwards has made it clear that he has big goals in mind for his title reign at 170-pounds, where he hopes to break the great Georges St-Pierre’s records.

Though he has no plans to permanently leave welterweight at any point soon, “Rocky” also hopes to challenge himself at middleweight at some stage. With several top names sitting at the top of the division, it could be a very different landscape at 185 pounds by the time Edwards makes his move.

“I don’t think Israel (Adesanya) because, in all fairness, I love him and Israel is my brother, but I think he’s coming to the twilight of his career now,” Lovell said.

“If I were him, if he fights Dricus, maybe win the title, defend it once, or even just win that title and retire because he’s earned enough, he’s got nothing more to prove. I wouldn’t like to see Leon fight Israel because we’re all close that way; we’re all friends, so I wouldn’t like to see that.”

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