‘The perfect fight’ – Leon Edwards reveals huge stakes for UFC London after shocking Dana White announcement
Leon Edwards has confirmed that he will fight for the welterweight title next if he wins at UFC London. This follows a bombshell announcement from UFC President Dana White, who revealed last month that Edwards had a new opponent for the London card. Edwards is 22-4 in professional MMA, having made his UFC debut in November 2014Getty He lost the title to Belal Muhammad at 5am in the main event of UFC ManchesterGetty White confirmed that Edwards’ original opponent, Jack Della Maddalena, had been pulled from the event and would instead headline UFC 315 against Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title. Birmingham’s Edwards was subsequently awarded with a fight against American Sean Brady, whose only UFC defeat came at the hands of Muhammad in 2022. Edwards lost the 170-pound strap to Muhammad at UFC Manchester in July and believes that a future clash with the champion or Australia’s Della Maddalena is the ‘perfect’ fight. “Jack getting replaced to fight for the title, I feel like that opened up the division more,” Edwards said on his YouTube channel. “If he goes out and gets a win. I think that’s the perfect fight for me next. If Belal beats him, then, like I said, the rematch is there for me as well. “I spoke to the UFC. They told me that after this win, this is the number one contender fight. Whoever wins this, fights for the title. Well, when I win this, I fight for the title. “That is my aim. My aim is to get back that two-time world championship.” Edwards said he offered to replace the injured Shavkat Rakhmonov against Muhammad, but White knew he was the main attraction for UFC London and insisted he remained on it. “It would be weird to let Jack headline London,” he added. The 33-year-old will be looking to bounce back from just his third UFC defeat since making his debut in 2014 when he takes on Brady. Edwards won the 170lb belt by defeating Kamaru Usman in August 2022Getty And defended it against the Nigerian seven months later at UFC 286 in Londongetty MMA fans, including fellow UFC British stars Tom Aspinall and Paddy Pimblett, believed Edwards was affected by the unusual time he fought Muhammad at back in July. Edwards didn’t shy away from this factor when admitting his eagerness to back into the Octagon once again. “Everyone knew that wasn’t me,” he concluded. “That was fighting at home, 5am in the morning. “There’s a lot of things that went into it that played a part in the performance. I can’t wait to get back in there and just set everything right. I think it’s an all-star fight”. After defeating Kamaru Usman to win the welterweight title in August 2022, Edwards retained it seven months later in London at UFC 286. He then defeated Colby Covington to mark his second defence of the title, before losing the belt to Muhammad. Molly McCann is set to return on March 22 for UFC London Elsewhere at UFC London, Liverpool’s Molly McCann is in action, while Northampton’s Jordan Vucenic takes on Scotland’s Chris Duncan, and Nathaniel Wood returns to home soil. Jan Blachowicz, whose last fight was against current UFC champion Alex Pereira, takes on New Zealander Carlos Ulberg at light heavyweight in the co-main event. Gunnar Nelson will also feature in a top welterweight bout against the exciting Kevin Holland, which is also on the main card too.
Leon Edwards has confirmed that he will fight for the welterweight title next if he wins at UFC London.
This follows a bombshell announcement from UFC President Dana White, who revealed last month that Edwards had a new opponent for the London card.
White confirmed that Edwards’ original opponent, Jack Della Maddalena, had been pulled from the event and would instead headline UFC 315 against Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title.
Birmingham’s Edwards was subsequently awarded with a fight against American Sean Brady, whose only UFC defeat came at the hands of Muhammad in 2022.
Edwards lost the 170-pound strap to Muhammad at UFC Manchester in July and believes that a future clash with the champion or Australia’s Della Maddalena is the ‘perfect’ fight.
“Jack getting replaced to fight for the title, I feel like that opened up the division more,” Edwards said on his YouTube channel.
“If he goes out and gets a win. I think that’s the perfect fight for me next. If Belal beats him, then, like I said, the rematch is there for me as well.
“I spoke to the UFC. They told me that after this win, this is the number one contender fight. Whoever wins this, fights for the title. Well, when I win this, I fight for the title.
“That is my aim. My aim is to get back that two-time world championship.”
Edwards said he offered to replace the injured Shavkat Rakhmonov against Muhammad, but White knew he was the main attraction for UFC London and insisted he remained on it.
“It would be weird to let Jack headline London,” he added.
The 33-year-old will be looking to bounce back from just his third UFC defeat since making his debut in 2014 when he takes on Brady.
MMA fans, including fellow UFC British stars Tom Aspinall and Paddy Pimblett, believed Edwards was affected by the unusual time he fought Muhammad at back in July.
Edwards didn’t shy away from this factor when admitting his eagerness to back into the Octagon once again.
“Everyone knew that wasn’t me,” he concluded. “That was fighting at home, 5am in the morning.
“There’s a lot of things that went into it that played a part in the performance. I can’t wait to get back in there and just set everything right. I think it’s an all-star fight”.
After defeating Kamaru Usman to win the welterweight title in August 2022, Edwards retained it seven months later in London at UFC 286.
He then defeated Colby Covington to mark his second defence of the title, before losing the belt to Muhammad.
Elsewhere at UFC London, Liverpool’s Molly McCann is in action, while Northampton’s Jordan Vucenic takes on Scotland’s Chris Duncan, and Nathaniel Wood returns to home soil.
Jan Blachowicz, whose last fight was against current UFC champion Alex Pereira, takes on New Zealander Carlos Ulberg at light heavyweight in the co-main event.
Gunnar Nelson will also feature in a top welterweight bout against the exciting Kevin Holland, which is also on the main card too.
