Stephen Thompson Says Leon Edwards Deserves A Title Shot Over Jorge Masvidal

Jorge Masvidal is coming off of a historical five second knockout victory over Ben Askren at UFC 239.

Some may think that such a big win would make him next in line for a UFC Welterweight Title shot, but Stephen Thompson believes that Leon Edwards should get one over Masvidal.

“Leon Edwards is on an 8 fight winning streak, wow,” Edwards said at a recent media scrum (via Natasha Hooper of BJPenn.com). “So he could possibly be fighting for the title. I know everyone’s talking Masvidal, but he’s had two wins and his third loss was me at MSG. I think there are other people more deserving of the title, but he’s put on some good shows and knocked out some good people so you never know. He’s doing very well in the division (Edwards), so I think at the top, maybe him. I think under him, maybe Masvidal. He’s got some great knockout, .but it really depends what the UFC and fans want. And the UFC is going towards what the fans want nowadays, so it could be Masvidal but I think Leon Edwards has definitely proven he deserves a shot at the title.”

Edwards is riding an eight fight winning streak like Thompson had said, while Masvidal is in the midst of a two bout winning streak. 

Thompson isn’t just focused on who should get the next title shot, as the fighter is also focused on his return to action.

“Everything’s feeling good, back to training hard full force and hopefully [I’ll] be fighting again at Madison Square Garden, November,” he said. “Don’t know who yet, but we will see. I know me and RDA (Dos Anjos) are both coming off a loss, so might be a good time for him to heal up and make it happen for MSG. So someone in the top five. I’m getting ready to go out there and do it again.”

It is unlikely that either Masvidal or Edwards gets the next title shot, as former UFC Interim Welterweight Champion Colby Covington seems to be the next in line.