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 referred to as upon to problem welterweight champion Belal Muhammad at UFC 315. Muhammad received his title with a commanding resolution win over Edwards this previous July, and Edwards truly angled for a rematch when he heard Muhammad wanted a title challenger for the upcoming Could pay-per-view.
“I heard about my alternative battle most likely, like, a few weeks earlier than,” Edwards stated on his YouTube vlog. “I’d been in talks with the UFC, I used to be attempting to step in to battle Belal, however I do know that they bought London round me, so it could be tough to take me off the cardboard and go away Jack on the cardboard. It could be bizarre to let Jack headline London.
“So we received a brand new opponent, Sean Brady, it’s a method that I’m used to. It’s a method that I’m comfy combating. So I’m trying ahead to it, must be good.”
The fighter shuffle was necessitated by an damage to No. 1 welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov. Muhammad was set to defend towards 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 high of the division is an efficient factor, particularly for him if he places on an announcement efficiency towards Brady at The O2 Enviornment.
“Additionally, Jack getting changed to battle for the title, I really feel like that opened up the division extra,” Edwards stated. “If he goes out and will get the win, I believe that’s the right battle for me subsequent. If Belal beats him, then a rematch is certainly as nicely.
“I spoke to the UFC, they advised me that after this win this can be a No. 1 contender battle. Whoever wins this, fights for the title. Nicely, once I win this I battle for the title. That’s my intention. My intention is to get again that two-time world championship and everybody knew the results of the battle with me and Belal, everybody knew that wasn’t me. That was combating at dwelling, 5 a.m. within the morning, there’s a variety of issues that went into it that performed a component within the efficiency. So I can’t wait to get again in there and simply set every part proper and I believe 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 battle once more.
somebody inform him he received three lengthy years forward of him
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) March 2, 2025
It is 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.
