This is the UFC 322 live blog for Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates, the main card welterweight bout Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Edwards (22-5, 1 NC) is mired in the first losing streak of his career, having dropped the welterweight title to Belal Muhammad in July and then being finished for the first time in his career by Sean Brady. “Rocky” still holds on to the No. 5 spot at 170 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, but a loss to Prates could send him tumbling down the charts and possibly out of title contention forever.
On the other side, Prates (22-7) aims to make his first run to a championship opportunity. Prates, currently ranked No. 10, suffered his first UFC loss to Ian Machado Garry in April, but rebounded in impressive fashion with a first-round knockout of Geoff Neal at UFC 319. When Prates hits, his opponents rarely recover, as evidenced by his 17 knockouts, including five inside the octagon.
Check out the UFC 322 live blog for Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates below.
It goes without saying this is a must-win for Edwards, who might never get a chance to regain the welterweight title if he lays an egg against Prates.
Prates favored at -154, Edwards the underdog at +130. No respect for the former champ!
Keith Peterson the referee for this fight.
They meet in the middle, lots of feints and movement as Prates flicks in leg kicks. Edwards slowly advancing. Counter left from Edwards scores. Another outside leg kick by Prates. Edwards in on a double leg, Prates has it scouted. Prates defending well against the fence. They’re talking and Prates looks annoyed by this wrestling nonsense. Peterson resets the action.
Sharp leg kick from Prates. He has his hands low, he’s starting to flow. Prates knees Edwards’ body. Quick right from Prates. Left hand into a takedown by Edwards and he secures it. He gets to Prates’ back. Prates stands with Edwards having a body triangle on his waist. Prates looks unbothered, but he’s losing this round now. Prates tries to just shake Edwards off, but Edwards maintains control and he’s back on top. Edwards goes for a choke, not much time. Prates makes it to the bell.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Edwards.
Prates’ movement has him on the offensive. Edwards takes a leg kick, but fires back with a left. Jab by Prates. He follows with a leg kick and he is talking a lot. Prates with another jab. Right hand cracks Edwards. Prates lands a knee to the body, but eats a counter punch. Left hand down the middle takes Edwards off his feet and he is DOWN. Follow-up punch from Prates seals the deal. Vicious knockout and Prates is the first fighter ever to finish Edwards with strikes.
Official result: Carlos Prates def. Leon Edwards via KO (punch) – Round 2, 1:28
Prates is asked about all the talking between him and Edwards, he says he’s the most entertaining fighter in the welterweight division. He says fans buy tickets to watch “violence” not boring fights.
He calls Edwards “a f*cking legend.”
He hints that he might show up later to face off with the main event winner.
