LEON EDWARDS has been backed to savagely silence Colby Covington at UFC 296 by one of his sparring partners.
Edwards defends his welterweight title for the second time over the weekend in Las Vegas against brash American Covington.
GettyLeon Edwards defends his welterweight title against Colby Covington at UFC 296[/caption]
The British star won the belt in August 2022 with an iconic head kick KO against long-reigning champion Kamaru Usman.
He then retained it in their immediate rematch this March while Covington – twice beaten by Usman – has not fought since March 2022.
Covington, 35, earned his controversial title shot by beating best friend-turned enemy Jorge Masvidal, 39, over five rounds.
Edwards, 32, has prepared for the grudge match in his Team Renegade home in Birmingham.
And one man at the forefront of that has been OKTAGON MMA lightweight Akonne Wanliss.
Giving an inside look, Wanliss revealed: “Leon is firing on all cylinders and I feel like this is Leon’s era.
“I can see Leon dominating Colby wherever the fight goes and I can see a stoppage coming as well; he’s too lethal, too sharp and too strong.
“We know Colby is going to try and come in and grapple and by around round three, you’ll start to see Leon break him down then you’ll get a finish – savagely.”
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Wanliss himself has the chance to change his life and career by entering OKTAGON’s Gamechanger series.
The four-stage tournament offers a total of €1million (£860,000) and winners will bank €300,000 (£260,000) themselves.
Wanliss said: “I’m feeling really grateful to be honest, the pride hasn’t set in yet because I know there is a lot of work to do.
“Right now, I’m hungry and energised because I am at the start of camp for the tournament.”
@akonnewanlissLeon Edwards, far left, next to Akonne Wanliss[/caption]