LONDON – Fabian Edwards came into Bellator 281 with a chip on his shoulder and he delivered.
Edwards (10-2 MMA, 5-2 BMMA) needed just over three minutes to knock out Lyoto Machida in the co-main event Friday at OVO Arena Wembley in London, snapping a two-fight losing skid.
In his pre-fight interview, Edwards stated that he didn’t want to hear any excuses when he stops Machida and the formerly unbeaten middleweight was keen to remind everyone of the run he was on before tasting defeat.
“You lose one or two fights and people think you’re finished,” Edwards told MMA Junkie post-fight at Bellator 281. “That, for me, was to go in there and prove that I am still ‘Mr. Tasty Shots’ and that’s what I’ve done tonight. He fought Bader and Mousasi, and he fought Davis, and none of them guys could finish him. I done that in one round so what does that say about my skills?”
An elated Leon Edwards jumps on the cage to celebrate with his brother Fabian who just knocked out Lyoto Machida in the first round. #Bellator281 pic.twitter.com/Cnt4S6HcHZ
— Farah Hannoun (@Farah_Hannoun) May 13, 2022
Edwards’ finishing sequence started with an elbow, where he was able to wobble Machida while breaking off the clinch. He followed that up with a barrage before knocking out the former UFC light heavyweight champion out cold.
“I envisioned that I would dominate and that’s being honest,” Edwards said. “I thought I could finish him, but I also envisioned that I’d be able to dominate for the whole 15 minutes and that’s what I was ready for. I was ready to go in there and walk out with half my face hanging off but with a win because I said all week by any means necessary I’m winning that fight and I done that.”