Edwards has his eyes on two big showcase events in 2024, but we haven’t heard anything from the UFC to confirm Leon’s big news.
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has big plans for 2024.
“Rocky” was on hand to watch the big Aston Villa vs. Burnley soccer game in Birmingham on Saturday, and he received a hero’s welcome. It’s good to see the champ getting promoted and appreciated outside the MMA bubble. Leon may not move the needle like Paddy Pimblett and Tom Aspinall yet, but the world could come around if the UFC continues to push his technical prowess.
One way of doing that would be to put Edwards on the biggest card of the year. UFC 300 goes down in April, and we’re still waiting to hear who will headline and co-headline the card. Leaks and announcements are expected at any moment, and we might have just gotten one from Edwards himself.
Full interview below pic.twitter.com/IIjK67GfI5
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) December 31, 2023
“I will defend my belt in April at UFC 300 in Vegas again,” Edwards announced on the pitch during an interview. “Then hopefully in the summertime get a fight back home in Birmingham at Villa Park. I’m in talks with the UFC, so hopefully we can get it done.”
Hearing this direct from the champ’s mouth would usually indicate it’s a sure thing, but half the roster has been pushing their participation at UFC 300. Is Edwards really booked? Or is he just advocating for the 2024 he’d like to have? Until the UFC announces things, we wouldn’t consider Leon’s participation a sure thing.
It’s also a big question who Edwards would face. Belal Muhammad is the rightful No. 1 contender at welterweight, but that fight lacks a certain sizzle that UFC 300 might require. There’s always Islam Makhachev, who has said he’s interested in going for double-champ glory at 170. And Conor McGregor has also made it clear he wants to fight for the belt too.
If you want to get real crazy, Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards still have unfinished business after that ‘three piece and soda’ moment in 2019.
We’re here for champions being more active, so “Rocky” at UFC 300 and then again in July (which is when the UFC is rumored to return to the UK) sounds good to us. What would you like to see the UFC do with Leon Edwards next, Maniacs? Let us know in the comments below.