UFC champion Leon Edwards endures nightmare spell in goal during Soccer Aid

12 June 2023 , 16:15

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UFC champion Leon Edwards endures nightmare spell in goal during Soccer Aid

UFC champion Leon Edwards had a disaster in goal during Soccer Aid but his World XI side still managed to win the game.

Things were going well for Edwards' side as legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt put them ahead by one goal to the good heading into half-time. Just minutes into the second stanza, Edwards showed that his punching skills don't carry over to the pitch as he suffered a howler at the hands of Sex Education actor Asa Butterfield.

Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshire teed up Butterfield and he fired a wayward attempt that beat Edwards at his near post. Fans were in stitches online as one tweet read: "There’s no way I’ve just watched the UFC Welterweight champion of the world Leon Edwards get sat down by the bloke from Sex education."

"Leon Edwards... I would make a joke but I know in real life you have hands," one user wrote with another adding "UFC fighters are supposed to be good with their hands." A fourth tweet read: "Thankfully Leon Edwards made it as a professional fighter, as he definitely wouldn’t have as a goalkeeper."

Less than five minutes after conceding his first goal, Edwards was beaten again as he parried out a cross from singer Tom Grennan only for Manchester United legend Paul Scholes to fire it home from outside the box. Edwards' errors didn't matter in the end as Republic of Ireland's all-time top scorer Robbie Keane netted a brace before Love Island star Ken Cetinay scored to give World XI the 4-2 win come the final whistle.

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What were your thoughts on Leon Edwards' goalkeeping skills? Let us know in the comments section below

Edwards was last in action at UFC 286 in March as he defended his welterweight title for the first time by beating Kamaru Usman in their trilogy fight. 'Rocky' is expected to face another top contender in Colby Covington later this year, but the Brummie isn't keen on the fight as he thinks Covington hasn't earned the right to fight for the belt.

"I don’t know how that makes sense,” Edwards said of fighting Covington. “He hasn’t fought in over a year-and-a-half. He sat out un-injured. I just don’t get how he just slides in for the world title shot when there are other guys in the division who have been active, fighting and didn’t sit out. Like I said, I’m the king now and I’ve earned my way. I feel like I should decide who’s next."

Harry Davies