Leon Edwards EXCLUSIVE: talks facing Rafael dos Anjos, wanting a UFC title shot, Darren Till, Jorge Masvidal and more

The welterweight division is one of the most stacked in the UFC, but Britain and Jamaica's Leon Edwards is the refusing to go unnoticed.

'Rocky' is 16-3 through his MMA career but is currently on a seven-fight winning streak with names like Donald Cerrone and Gunnar Nelson on his hitlist and he takes on former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Ajos this Saturday at UFC on ESPN 4.

The last time Edwards lost was to now-welterweight champion Kamara Usman nearly four years ago. Now, the only man that is on a better win streak than Edwards himself is the champion.

The 27-year-old, who fights out of Erdington, Birmingham, England, has had to watch many others, including compatriot Darren Till, rise to title shot opportunities instead of him and despite his winning record, he's still ranked only 12th in the welterweight division.

That has to change. With a win over a former world champion in San Antonio this Saturday, Edwards is on course for some career-changing fights.

talkSPORT caught up with 'Rocky' ahead of his clash with RDA.

Hi Leon. How has your camp gone and how are you feeling heading into your big showdown on Saturday?

I'm feeling blessed, I'm feeling good. I've had a nice long camp. I came out to San Antonio early to acclimatise to the weather and the time difference, because we're six hours behind. So, I'm feeling good. It's hot as hell here [laughs] but it's been good and I'm looking forward now to going out there and showing the world I'm one of the best fighters in the world. Getting the opportunity to face a former world champion in RDA and to go out there and to stop him, that would prove my case in my quest for a world title shot.

How do you beat someone like RDA?

I've visualised many ways to beat him. I'm really focused on making a statement, to be honest with you. He's a former world champion, he's tough, he's fought who he has fought, but I know I've got everything needed to beat this man and I'm looking forward to going out there and doing it. I'm younger, fitter, faster, stronger, solid mentally. My journey has brought me to this point to defeat him.

If you are victorious on Saturday, that would be eight victories in a row in the UFC. Fighters have earned title fights for far less in this company. If you do get the job done, how can they deny you anymore?

Exactly! You've just answered it for yourself [laughs]. Once I beat a former world champion, how can you deny me? I'm on the second most winning streak in the division compared to the champion so I know beating him puts me right up there for a world title shot anyway. We'll see after I beat him, but I am just focusing on RDA, going out there and beating him. Once I get my hand raised, we take it from there.

Ahead of your last outing at UFC London, you and that night's headliner Darren Till got into a verbal war at the press conference. Jorge Masvidal ended up knocking him out that night, did it bother you that you didn't get the chance to do that?

Not really. It's nothing personal between me and Darren. It's not like I hate the man, do you know what I mean? All I wanted to do was prove I am the number one fighter in the UK. That's all that was. I wish Darren nothing but good health and I'd hope for him to come back soon.

Speaking of Masvidal, he recorded the quickest knockout in UFC history at UFC 239 with his win over Ben Askren. What did you make of it?

Not really much to make of it. He did what he did. I think if they fought 10 out of 10 times that would never happen again. Masvidal charged towards him, Ben ducked into the knee like he was going to shoot on him and it's just one of those things. It happens. Nothing you can take or give to it. It just happens.

Masvidal has since said he wants to face Conor McGregor or get a title shot next. If you do beat RDA, we know you'd love to get your hands on Masvidal, perhaps in a title eliminator?

Well everyone wants to fight Conor McGregor [laughs], it's mad. My focus right now is RDA, but Masvidal's day will come. Whether it's next, the year after, 10 years from now - wherever I see him, we're fighting. I'm focused on RDA and after that, I'm focused on a world title shot. If I had to fight Masvidal first, that would be the icing on the cake for me. I could beat him and then go on to [Kamara] Usman.

What should the fans expect from Leon Edwards on Saturday?

The fans should expect a focused Leon Edwards. I really want to stop him. If I stop him, that will prove my case that I'm one of the best fighters in the world and that's right where I need to be. I'll prove I'm number one.