Leon Edwards Wants Dos Anjos Next, Will Also Take Lawler

Leon "Rocky" Edwards is an Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight on a seven-fight winning streak. He last fought in March and defeated Gunnar Nelson via split decision. Despite his strong record, Edwards has yet to receive his next booking.

With notable victories over the likes of Vicente Luque, Bryan Barbarena and Donald Cerrone, Edwards remains perplexed by his sidelined status. As such, Edwards tells Ariel Helwani's MMA Show that he's willing to step in for Tyron Woodley on six weeks notice and face Robbie Lawler. "Why not step up and take on a former champion like Lawler?"

As of Monday, Edwards hadn't heard from the UFC regarding his wish to test his mettle against "Ruthless," but Edwards insists it's a strong matchup. "I feel I'm the frontrunner and I'm the best offer that he's got," Edwards explained to Helwani.

Higher on his wish list is actually a bout against last Saturday's UFC Rochester main event winner, Rafael dos Anjos. With UFC 242 on the September horizon, Edwards likes his chances against dos Anjos in Abu Dhabi. His preference to battle dos Anjos over Lawler has to do with the optics.

Like Lawler, dos Anjos is a former world champion, but he also sits higher on the rankings and is "coming off a good win." Edwards, 27, is looking for his opponent to serve as a stepping stone for his career. "I want a top-five opponent next. Then after that, I want a title shot. I feel that would be the right thing to do."