There’s a good chance it’s coming home.
Newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards might get his first title defense on home soil, at least from preliminary discussions between his management and the UFC. The Englishman pulled off a big upset when he knocked out Kamaru Usman in dramatic fashion in the main event of UFC 278 last month.
With the score being 1-1, there’s been interest in booking an immediate trilogy from all parties – UFC, Edwards and Usman. Edwards’ manager, Audie Attar of Paradigm Sports, thinks there’s a good chance the trilogy bout lands in the U.K., and that’s something that gets him excited.
“There’s been some preliminary talks, and I do know that the UFC is thinking along the same lines,” Attar told MMA Junkie. “There’s been no objections or any thought contrary to the fact that they’re looking to have it in the U.K. And so that’s great for Leon. He deserves that.
I heard an interview where Usman even said he wants to go to the U.K., which is great to see him wanting to go be the visiting fighter, if you will, and go into Leon’s backyard and take him on. That’s phenomenal.”
Wembley Stadium was briefly mentioned and quickly retracted by UFC president Dana White following UFC 278. Although a famed venue with a large capacity for fans, the outdoor setting is always something that concerns White when putting on events.
Attar shares the same sentiments as White and thinks even if it doesn’t happen at Wembley Stadium, just the trilogy being in the U.K. is sufficient for a memorable event.
“I think obviously there’s talk about Wembley Stadium, and the U.K. is not Southern California, so we have to factor in weather at the end of the day, and you have to see can it happen in Wembley or happen somewhere else,” Attar said. “I know Anthony Joshua’s fights have been in Cradiff, and that seems to be a retractable stadium, if you will, so whether it’s rain or shine, the fight goes on.
“That seems to be a little more appropriate for the weather conditions in the U.K. But with that being said, it’s going to be electric no matter where it is, and hearing Dana say it will be on local time, it’s also probably super exciting not only for U.K. fans, but European fans alike because of the time that exists for traditional pay-per-view cards.
“I think there’s a lot of different elements to that that sound exciting and promising. Now it’s just about formalizing them and making them become a reality.”
