Dana White and the UFC are bringing out the big guns for the UFC London event on March 22. According to former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, he will be returning to the Octagon to fight in the main event of that show.
Edwards hasn’t fought since he lost his title to Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 304 in July. The opponent hasn’t been announced, but considering Edwards is currently ranked No. 1 in the welterweight division, it is safe to assume he’ll likely be matched up against an opponent ranked in the Top 5.
Currently, former opponent and champion Kamaru Usman is ranked No. 2. Shavkat Rakhmonov is No. 3, but he is facing No. 7 Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 on December 7 in Las Vegas.
The winner of that fight has been promised a title shot against Muhammad in their next bout. Muhammad was originally supposed to defend his title against Rakhmonov at UFC 310, but the champion suffered a toe injury that pushed him out of the fight.
Sean Brady and Jack Della Maddalena are tied at No. 4, and either man could be Edwards’ opponent in March. Edwards’ rival, No. 6-ranked Colby Covington, will clash with No. 9 Joaquin Buckley.
If Buckley wins, as many expect, he could also be a challenger for Edwards as early as March 22. No matter who faces Edwards in London, they will be in a battle behind enemy lines.
Edwards is one of England’s brightest stars, and the crowd will be in full effect for one of their favorite sons.
According to Tapology, the only secured matchup in place for the March card in London is a strawweight battle between Shauna Bannon and Puja Tomar.
Expect to see the UFC light up the rest of the card with as many fighters from London as possible. Rising featherweight contender Lerone Murphy, lightweight superstar Paddy Pimblett, middleweight Christian Leroy Duncan, and women’s flyweight Molly McCann are all local fighters who could also be in action at the O2 Arena.
Be on the lookout for more information on what figures to be a huge event.
What’s Next for the UFC?
After a week off, the UFC is back in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena for the final pay-per-view event of the year and one of two shows remaining in 2024.
UFC 310 will be headlined by flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defending his title against newcomer Kai Asakura. Rakhmonov faces Garry in the co-main event. Here is a look at the entire lineup of scheduled fights for UFC 310 on December 7:
- (c) Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura – UFC Flyweight Championship
- Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Machado Garry – Welterweight
- Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov – Heavyweight
- Bryce Mitchell vs. Kron Gracie – Featherweight
- Nate Landwehr vs. Doo Ho Choi – Featherweight
- Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes – Light Heavyweight
- Vicente Luque vs. Themba Gorimbo – Welterweight
- Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling – Featherweight
- Randy Brown vs. Bryan Battle – Welterweight
- Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders – Catchweight
- Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van – Flyweight
- Michael Chiesa vs. Max Griffin – Welterweight
- Clay Guida vs. Chase Hooper – Lightweight
- Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Łukasz Brzeski – Heavyweight
Look out for fight week coverage leading up to and recapping results from Las Vegas.
