Leon Edwards sees himself on the cusp of one other title shot with a pivotal win in his dwelling nation.
“Rocky” headlines UFC London reverse Sean Brady on March 22, a matchup that materialized after Edwards’ unique opponent Jack Della Maddalena was known as upon to problem welterweight champion Belal Muhammad at UFC 315. Muhammad received his title with a commanding choice win over Edwards this previous July, and Edwards really angled for a rematch when he heard Muhammad wanted a title challenger for the upcoming Could pay-per-view.
“I heard about my substitute combat in all probability, like, a few weeks earlier than,” Edwards mentioned on his YouTube vlog. “I’d been in talks with the UFC, I used to be making an attempt to step in to combat Belal, however I do know that they bought London round me, so it will be tough to take me off the cardboard and go away Jack on the cardboard. It will be bizarre to let Jack headline London.
“So we acquired a brand new opponent, Sean Brady, it’s a method that I’m used to. It’s a method that I’m snug preventing. So I’m trying ahead to it, needs to be good.”
The fighter shuffle was necessitated by an harm to No. 1 welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov. Muhammad was set to defend in opposition to Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December earlier than a bone an infection pressured Muhammad off of that card. Although their rematch was by no means formally booked, the understanding was that Rakhmonov was nonetheless subsequent in line, so his unavailability opened the door for Della Maddalena to face Muhammad as an alternative.
Edwards thinks change on the prime of the division is an efficient factor, particularly for him if he places on an announcement efficiency in opposition to Brady at The O2 Enviornment.
“Additionally, Jack getting changed to combat for the title, I really feel like that opened up the division extra,” Edwards mentioned. “If he goes out and will get the win, I feel that’s the proper combat for me subsequent. If Belal beats him, then a rematch is unquestionably as effectively.
“I spoke to the UFC, they advised me that after this win this can be a No. 1 contender combat. Whoever wins this, fights for the title. Properly, after I win this I combat for the title. That’s my purpose. My purpose is to get again that two-time world championship and everybody knew the results of the combat with me and Belal, everybody knew that wasn’t me. That was preventing at dwelling, 5 a.m. within the morning, there’s quite a lot of issues that went into it that performed an element within the efficiency. So I can’t wait to get again in there and simply set every part proper and I feel all of it begins with Sean Brady.”
Muhammad responded to the clip on social media, warning Edwards that he’s going to have to attend “three lengthy years” earlier than they combat once more.
somebody inform him he acquired three lengthy years forward of him
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) March 2, 2025
This can be a reference to their feud that started in March 2021 after they first fought in the primary occasion of a UFC APEX card. That bout resulted in a no-contest when a watch poke left Muhammad unable to proceed simply 18 seconds into Spherical 2. Muhammad needed to rattle off 5 consecutive wins earlier than being granted a rematch with Edwards at UFC 314 in July 2024.
