Leon Edwards, the former UFC welterweight champion, has confirmed his return to the octagon as the main event of UFC London on March 22, 2025, at the O2 Arena.
This will mark Edwards’ first fight since his unanimous decision loss to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304, where he relinquished his title in a one-sided bout.
Edwards announced during a live interview on the DAZN Boxing broadcast of Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai in Birmingham, saying:
“We’ll be back in London to headline the O2 on March 22. I can’t wait to put on a show for my fans.”
While Edwards did not reveal his opponent, speculation has centered around several potential contenders, including grappling specialist Sean Brady, who is currently unbooked and closely ranked.
A Return to Form for ‘Rocky’
Leon Edwards rose to stardom with his iconic fifth-round head-kick knockout victory over Kamaru Usman in 2022, a moment that made him a household name in the UK.
He followed up with a successful title defense against Usman in their trilogy bout at UFC London in 2023.
However, Edwards faced a tough outing in July 2024 at UFC 304, where he was dominated by Belal Muhammad over five rounds. The loss ended his unbeaten streak, which dated back to 2015, and raised questions about his future in the division.
What’s Next for Edwards?
With Edwards still ranked No. 1 in the welterweight division, his path back to title contention remains a key storyline.
Among the possibilities is a long-awaited grudge match with Jorge Masvidal, who recently expressed interest in facing Edwards for a chance at the top spot.
“Let’s roll the dice for the number one guy in the world. I think it would be Leon. Let’s see what’s possible,” Masvidal said during an interview.
Fans are also eager to see Edwards take on emerging contenders like Sean Brady or even avenge his loss against Muhammad in the future.
The UFC London Fight Night card on March 22 will feature Edwards as the headliner in what promises to be a pivotal bout for his career. As details about his opponent emerge, excitement builds for another electrifying night of MMA at the O2 Arena.