Edwards sends message to Masvidal: 'Stop being a p---- and step up'

Warning: Story contains coarse language

UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards has an issue with Jorge Masvidal targeting Nate Diaz for a rematch in early 2021.

Edwards has wanted to fight Masvidal ever since their backstage scuffle at UFC London in March 2019 and doesn't believe "Gamebred" should face off with Diaz again after dominating him less than a year ago in their "BMF" title bout.

"Stop being a p---- and f------ let's fight, right?" Edwards told ESPN's Brett Okamoto, directing his comments at Masvidal. "You say you're Street Judas and (the) BMF, let's prove the case. You can't go out there and fight a guy you just f------ battered for three rounds and then do it again and say you're the BMF. That's not how it works, so stop being a p---- and step up."

Masvidal vowed to earn another title shot after falling to champion Kamaru Usman earlier this summer. Edwards, the UFC's No. 3-ranked welterweight, said the 35-year-old should have to fight someone like him - not the No. 13-ranked Diaz - to get back to that spot.

Edwards hasn't fought since July 2019 and is frustrated with how the top of the division is shaping up. "Rocky" and former champion Tyron Woodley were supposed to face off in March, but the coronavirus pandemic forcefully canceled the main event. Since then, the U.K. resident has struggled to get a fight mostly due to travel restrictions.

Meanwhile, there are several big fights set at 170 pounds in addition to the planned Masvidal-Diaz rematch. Usman expects to defend his title against Gilbert Burns in December, and Woodley and Colby Covington will fight on Sept. 19.