Leon Edwards returned to the Octagon at UFC 322 hoping to reset his career. Instead, he walked out of Las Vegas with the harshest result of his professional journey and a growing chorus calling for his retirement.
The former welterweight champion, once seen as one of the division’s most tactical and disciplined fighters, suffered a vicious knockout loss to the rising Brazilian striker Carlos Prates. The defeat marked his third loss in a row and the first time he had ever been stopped by strikes.
And now, one of his emerging rivals believes Edwards has reached the end of the line.
A night Leon Edwards will never forget
Prates delivers a statement win
Leon Edwards entered UFC 322 as the number four ranked welterweight contender, looking for a rebound after losing his title and then slipping again in his next bout. His matchup with Carlos Prates was designed to test him but also to potentially relaunch another run toward the title picture.
Instead, Prates seized the moment.
Edwards tried to establish his usual rhythm early, but Prates constantly pressured him, mixing heavy jabs with sharp kicks to slow down the former champion. As the fight entered the third round, the Brazilian saw an opening that changed everything. A clean straight shot landed flush on Edwards’ chin and sent him crashing to the canvas. Prates followed with ground strikes that forced the referee to step in.
It was a shocking moment. Edwards had never been knocked out before. The visual of him being stopped so decisively sent immediate waves across the MMA world.
Three straight losses raise difficult questions
The former champion faces a crossroads
A losing streak is one thing. A decisive knockout at this stage of a fighter’s career is another. For Edwards, both arrived at once.
The Birmingham native has built a legacy through composure, elite timing and a high fight IQ. He climbed the rankings methodically year after year. He stunned the world when he claimed the welterweight belt. He stayed competitive even in defeat.
But three straight setbacks, topped by the first knockout loss of his career, now place him in unfamiliar territory. Retirement talks were inevitable. They just came from a louder voice than most expected.
Ian Garry steps in with a blunt message
“Leon, retire.”
Ian Garry has never been shy about speaking his mind, and he did not hold back after UFC 322. The Dublin striker was originally linked to a potential matchup with Edwards earlier this year. A win over Prates could have reignited that storyline.
Edwards lost, and Garry’s tone shifted instantly.
On X (formerly Twitter), Garry wrote:
It was direct. It was harsh. And it was the kind of message that guaranteed debate among fighters and supporters.
The timing also added weight. Garry returns next weekend at UFC Qatar, where he will face Belal Muhammad in a high stakes welterweight clash. His words about Edwards landed just as attention around the division reached a peak.
A legacy that should not be overlooked
Edwards’ career deserves respect
Retirement talk can be cruel in combat sports, especially for someone who has accomplished what Leon Edwards has. Before his current skid, he was one of the most consistent contenders in the world. He dethroned a dominant champion, defended his belt, and represented British MMA with pride.
Edwards’ journey from an overlooked prospect to a world champion remains one of the sport’s best stories of persistence.
Whether he chooses to continue or not, the respect he earned through years of elite performances still stands.
What comes next for Leon Edwards
Decision time for the former champion
Edwards has not yet responded to Garry’s comments, nor has he revealed any plans regarding his future. The UFC typically gives former champions space to recover before discussing next steps. The severity of his loss and the emotional weight surrounding it mean that any decision will likely take time.
Still, the question hovers:
Is this the end of Leon Edwards’ fighting career?
At 34, he remains competitive in terms of skill, but the welterweight division is undergoing a major shift. Young, powerful contenders like Prates and Morales are rising fast. Garry is chasing a title shot. The landscape Edwards once controlled now looks very different.
All eyes are now on the former champion. Will he walk away on his own terms, or attempt one last comeback?
Final thoughts
Leon Edwards’ knockout loss at UFC 322 was a turning point. It did not just end a fight. It ignited a serious conversation about his future. While voices like Ian Garry have made their opinions clear, the decision ultimately rests with Edwards.
Whatever he chooses, his legacy as a disciplined, elite and championship level mixed martial artist remains intact. UFC 322 may have delivered a harsh moment, but it does not define his entire story.
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