Leon Edwards Falls Out of P4P Rankings

Inside Fighting

March 25, 2025

What’s Next for the Former Champion?

Leon Edwards, the UFC welterweight champion, has officially fallen out of the UFC’s prestigious pound-for-pound (P4P) rankings after his unexpected loss to Sean Brady at UFC Fight Night in London. Edwards, who had been a rising star in the sport after winning the welterweight title in 2022, now faces a critical moment in his career after a performance that left many in the MMA world stunned.

Leon Edwards’ Rise to the Top

Before this loss, Edwards was riding high as the UFC welterweight champion, with his title victory over Kamaru Usman in August 2022 solidifying his place in the sport’s elite. His victory over Usman, a stunning fifth-round head-kick knockout, was a career-defining moment that pushed him into the spotlight. Edwards’ well-rounded game, featuring sharp striking and solid grappling, earned him a place among the sport’s best fighters, and his technical skills and composed demeanor under pressure made him one of the most respected champions in the UFC.

Edwards’ win over Usman marked the peak of his career, and many believed that he would continue his reign as one of the sport’s most dominant figures. His strategic approach to each fight and his ability to adapt to different opponents kept him on top of the welterweight division.

The Unexpected Loss to Sean Brady

However, everything changed at UFC Fight Night in London when Edwards squared off against Sean Brady. Brady, an undefeated welterweight with a fast-growing reputation, came into the fight as an underdog, but he quickly proved himself to be a serious threat to Edwards’ championship status.

From the beginning of the fight, Brady imposed his game on Edwards, pressuring the champion with relentless attacks and effectively neutralizing his striking. Brady’s combination of striking, grappling, and constant pressure kept Edwards on the back foot throughout the five rounds. Edwards struggled to find his rhythm, and Brady’s pace and well-rounded skillset left the champion with little opportunity to turn the tide. By the end of the fight, Brady had secured a unanimous decision victory, marking the first loss in Edwards’ championship run.

The defeat to Brady sent shockwaves through the MMA community, as many had expected Edwards to dominate the fight. The loss also led to a major shake-up in the rankings, with Edwards now being removed from the UFC’s P4P list. It was a significant drop for the champion, who had previously been considered one of the top fighters in the world, but the one-sided nature of the loss left little room for debate about his current standing.

The Fallout in the P4P Rankings

The P4P rankings are a symbol of a fighter’s overall skill and dominance, recognizing athletes who consistently perform at the highest level across multiple weight classes. Edwards’ place in the P4P rankings had been a reflection of his skill, resilience, and status as the welterweight champion. However, after his loss to Brady, it became clear that Edwards no longer belonged in the elite group of fighters who sit atop the UFC’s rankings.

Falling out of the P4P rankings is a significant blow for Edwards, but it’s not the end of his career. Many top-level fighters have faced setbacks and bounced back even stronger. Edwards will likely need to reassess his game, make adjustments, and prove that his loss was simply a bump in the road, rather than a sign of a deeper decline.

What’s Next for Leon Edwards?

Despite this setback, Edwards is still one of the most talented and dangerous fighters in the welterweight division. His loss to Brady does not erase the fact that he is a former champion, and there’s still much to prove in his career. He will likely look to regroup and work on the areas of his game that were exposed during the fight. Whether it’s a rematch with Brady or facing another top contender, Edwards will have to earn his way back to title contention.

The path back to the top won’t be easy, but Edwards has already overcome adversity in his career, and he has the tools to bounce back from this loss. His road to redemption will require a focused and strategic approach, but if anyone has shown the heart and determination to come back, it’s Leon Edwards.

As for Sean Brady, his victory has catapulted him into the upper ranks of the welterweight division, and he is now considered one of the top contenders for the title. The landscape of the welterweight division has shifted, and Brady’s rise could signal the start of a new era in the UFC’s 170-pound weight class.

While Edwards may no longer be in the P4P rankings, his career is far from over, and the future remains bright for the talented welterweight. The loss to Brady was a tough one, but the journey is far from finished.