UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the promotion actually offered welterweight champion Leon Edwards the spot to headline the UFC 300 event. However, the fight was not pushed despite the champ agreeing to fight any of the three options presented to him. According to the executive, the decision not to have the match did not involve money but “timing.”
After UFC 298, White finally shared the news that the Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill fight will be UFC 300’s main event on April 13. It was kind of a surprise for some, especially after earlier reports claiming that Leon was the company’s “top choice” for the huge event. According to White, nonetheless, the Briton was indeed considered to be the first plan. In his interview at the UFC 298 post-fight press conference, the UFC boss disclosed that “Rocky” was offered three names and accepted all proposals.
“Let me say this — Leon Edwards has had, like, three opponents throughout this thing,” White shared without naming the three fighters. “Leon Edwards doesn’t say no to anybody. This kid is an absolute stud. He’s had like three opponents thrown at him during UFC 300 [conversations] — yes, yes, yes. He was willing to take on anybody. Kid’s an absolute stud. Leon, thank you, much respect.
“This guy doesn’t care – he’ll fight anybody. Think about this, we call, and we’re talking about UFC 300, you’re going to headline, you’re going to fight this guy. Then we call back and say, ‘You’re going to fight this guy.’ Then a third time we call and change opponents on him again. It’s just crazy.
“This guy could care less. He’s up for the challenge. He’s ready to fight anybody. I love it and respect it very much.”
In the end, however, the promotion decided to go for the Pereira vs. Hill match. White didn’t disclose the exact reasons why Edwards’ next outing was not pushed at UFC 300, but he underscored that it had nothing to do with the financial demands in the deals. Instead, the executive claimed that it was “all about timing,” especially with the company having to fill out the UFC 298, 299, and 300 cards.
“This was not about money,” White said without telling when Edwards will fight again. “It was all about timing. We’ve got three killer cards in a row and in this business you have injuries and all kinds of other bulls*** that goes on behind the scenes. We’ve been talking about 300 forever. We were just trying to make the best fights that we could possibly make. We had two more fights to make, and we’re trying to put on two badass fights.”
