Leon Edwards gets new opponent for UFC London, faces Sean Brady at The O2

Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards will have to shift focus as he prepares for his return to action at UFC London on March 22.

Edwards was originally booked to face Australian contender Jack Della Maddalena in the main event at The O2 Arena in the English capital.

But, after “JDM” was drafted in to challenge Belal Muhammad for the undisputed welterweight title at UFC 305, a spot opened up in the UFC London headliner, and the UFC matchmakers called up Philadelphia-based contender Sean Brady, who will face Edwards in the new-look headliner in London.

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It represents a big change in style for Edwards, who was preparing to face a fighter whose primary weapon is his striking. Now, he’ll face noted grappler Brady, who has submitted three of his last five victims inside the Octagon.

Brady’s sole career defeat came to current welterweight champion Muhammad at UFC 280 in October 2022, when he lost via second-round TKO in Abu Dhabi.

That defeat aside, Brady has been perfect in the cage, with notable victories over the likes of Michael Chiesa, Kelvin Gastelum and Gilbert Burns to put himself fifth in the UFC’s official welterweight rankings.

Edwards, meanwhile, is determined to bounce back after losing his title to Belal Muhammad in Manchester last year at UFC 304.

Edwards captured the undisputed 170-pound title with a stunning last-gasp head-kick knockout of Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City as he scored one of the most spectacular championship victories in UFC history.

“Rocky” then defended the title with a majority decision victory over Usman in the rematch at UFC 286 in London, then added a second title defence with a unanimous decision win over former interim champion Colby Covington at UFC 296 in Las Vegas.

That set up his rematch with Muhammad, as the pair looked to produce a definitive result after their first bout in 2021 was halted and ruled a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke on Muhammad by Edwards.

Muhammad produced an inspired display in Manchester to dethrone Edwards, leaving the Birmingham man with the task of working his way back into position to challenge for the title in a division packed with dangerous contenders.

Edwards vs Brady tops a fight card packed with local talent at The O2 in March, with a host of UK and Irish stars set for action on the 12-fight card.