Leon Edwards has set his sights set on a welterweight fight with Conor McGregor at Madison Square Garden later this year.

The current UFC welterweight champion joined talkSPORT on Tuesday ahead of his fight at UFC 304 in July, where he takes on Belal Muhammad in Manchester.

Edwards defends his title against Muhammad on July 27Credit: Getty

It is the main event but it appears McGregor is not a massive fan, saying last month: “There’s too many decisions going on now with that Leon fella.

“Leon Edwards loves a decision. And then he’s fighting another f****** decision guy, your man Belal, so not great times in the welterweight title picture. (UFC 304 will do 200,000 pay-per-view) buys, probably … not even: 150,000 buys.”

When asked for his response to McGregor’s comments Edwards revealed his hopes to fight the Irishman in the near future.

Edwards said on Drive: “I think it’s fine… I said to him, if he feels like he can do that, change the results, after he beats Chandler in June, let’s fight for the welterweight strapping in November at MSG (Madison Square Garden in New York).

“Let’s see. We’ve both got fights on our hands that we’ve got to get through.”

Edwards continued: “That’s the reason I want to fight him. I want to see if it is that guy [the McGregor of old]. Because if it’s not there’s no point me even entertaining the conversation with him.

“I want to go out there and perform…”

When asked if McGregor is the fight he wants next, Edwards responded: “It would be good for my resume. It would be good to say that I defeated him, different names on my roster. Adding him into it would be perfect.”

McGregor has last three of his last four fights, with his last one coming in July 2021Credit: X- @TheNotoriousMMA

Before Edwards takes to the Octagon, McGregor faces Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in his first outing in three years after suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

‘Notorious’ is a former UFC welterweight champion but the Chandler fight will take place at 185lbs.

Doubt has been cast on whether that bout will happen after a press conference in Dublin scheduled for Monday was cancelled at short notice.

Meanwhile, the former two-weight world champion has also been seen out partying with his wife, Dee, and there have been unconfirmed reports of a new injury.

However, Edwards is optimistic we will see McGregor face Chandler as planned.

Asked if the McGregor vs Chandler fight will happen, Edwards said: “I believe so. I can’t see why not.

“I know he’s been partying, he’s been doing it for how many years.

“I’d like to see him go out fighting for a little while so hopefully it does actually happen because I want to see him fighting. Is it the same Conor or has the partying got to him too much?

“Hopefully it happens.”