Din Thomas expresses doubts about Leon Edwards` inner fighting spirit.
Following UFC London, where Edwards suffered a significant loss to Sean Brady, Thomas, who was in Brady`s corner, questioned Edwards` true grit. Brady dominated the fight, ultimately securing a fourth-round submission victory with a mounted guillotine choke. However, Thomas believes the fight`s outcome was decided much earlier, pinpointing the moment Edwards attempted a takedown in the third round as a sign of defeat.
“When Edwards went for that takedown, I turned to John Marquez, the head coach, and asked, ‘Did he just try to take Sean down?’” Thomas recounted on Anthony Smith’s podcast. “After the reversal, John commented that we could relax and strategize calmly, as the fight was essentially over. Leon`s takedown attempt signaled his lack of desire to continue fighting, and that was decisive. I was astonished.”
This defeat marks Edwards` second consecutive loss, significantly impacting his title aspirations and raising concerns about his performance in both losses. Thomas argues that these losses expose a fundamental flaw: Edwards may not possess the unwavering fighting spirit necessary for elite competition.
“I want to be clear that this isn`t intended as disrespect towards Leon,” Thomas clarified. “I still acknowledge his exceptional skills, physique, and past championship status. He remains a top-tier fighter. However, I question if Leon truly embodies the heart of a fighter.”
“Consider fighters like Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier – they possess an inherent fighting spirit. I see Edwards more as a gifted athlete and performer. He likely excels in training, showcasing incredible talent. But when faced with real adversity in the fight, when true fighting spirit is essential, I believe it’s lacking. Despite this, his talent allowed him to achieve great success and defeat many opponents.”
Thomas`s assessment is strong, and not the first time he has made such observations about Edwards. During Edwards` second fight against Kamaru Usman, Thomas, commentating for UFC, noted Edwards` apparent mental defeat just before his stunning comeback knockout. This time, no such comeback occurred, and Thomas suggests that Edwards` team may also recognize the validity of his assessment.
“I believe even his team recognizes that Leon sometimes lacks that true fighter`s heart,” Thomas stated. “Their protective approach and encouraging words from his coach – ‘Come on, son! Don’t let him bully you!’ – suggest they are aware that with greater inner grit, Edwards could potentially still be a world champion.”
“And to be fair, I recognize this because I lacked it myself. When faced with difficulty, I would resort to pulling guard or attempting takedowns and pulling guard. So, I understand the signs.”
