UK UFC veteran Brad Pickett suggests that former welterweight champion Leon Edwards may need to implement a significant, potentially emotional, change in his approach if he is to reclaim the division`s title.
Edwards lost his 170lbs championship belt to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 last July. His efforts to get back into title contention faced another setback with a submission defeat to Sean Brady at UFC London in March.
Pickett`s Recommendation: A Change of Scenery
In a recent interview, Pickett, a prominent figure in UK MMA, offered his analysis. He believes Edwards is currently in a challenging phase and requires a strong source of re-motivation.
Pickett`s key recommendation is for Edwards to consider altering his training environment, specifically suggesting a move to a different gym. He clarified that this suggestion is not due to any issues with Edwards` current gym, Renegade, which Pickett described as “fantastic.”
Instead, the proposed change is purely about finding a “different scenery” to train in, potentially even relocating with his existing coaching team.
According to Pickett, training in a new location would help Edwards detach from everyday distractions and reignite his competitive fire. He drew a comparison to the inherent drive of a young fighter entering a new training facility, eager to test themselves.
Pickett contrasted this with the routine of being in a familiar environment where fighters come to challenge you, emphasizing the importance of seeking out a setting where you feel challenged by others. He simply advised Edwards:
Just change the scenery.
Pickett concluded that adopting such a change could yield substantial positive results for the Birmingham-born fighter.
Following his loss to Brady, who secured a submission victory via guillotine choke in the fourth round, Edwards remained publicly silent for a period. However, he recently broke his silence, posting a defiant message on Instagram: “Still HIM.”
Elton Marrow