Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has no problem with the opponent switch-up ahead of his return to action at UFC London.
Edwards was scheduled to take on Jack Della Maddalena in the headliner next weekend at The O2 Arena, but after the Australian contender was promoted into a title shot against Belal Muhammad following Shavkat Rakhmonov’s injury, Edwards was left without an opponent.
The UFC’s matchmakers had an instant replacement ready to go, however, with Sean Brady stepping up to face the former champion in London.
It’s a matchup with the same title ramifications as before, and Edwards explained in Episode 4 of his “Road to London” fight camp vlog how things all panned out.
“I heard about my replacement fight probably a couple weeks before,” he said.
“I was in talks with the UFC. I was trying to step in to fight Belal, but I know that they sold London around me, so it was difficult to take me off the card and leave Jack on the card.
“It would have been weird to let Jack headline London. And so, yeah, I got a new opponent – Sean Brady. It’s a style that I’m used to, a style that I’m comfortable fighting. I’m looking forward to it – it should be good.”
With Edwards accepting the reasoning for Della Maddalena getting the short notice shot, he’s now focusing on Brady, and said that, regardless of who wins the Muhammad vs Brady fight, he likes the potential matchup for the title next.
“Jack getting replaced to fight for the title I feel will open up the division more,” Edwards suggested.
“If he goes out and gets a win, I think that’s a perfect fight for me next. If Belal beats him, then, like I said, the rematch is there for me, as well.
“I spoke to the UFC. They told me that after this win, this is a number one contender fight. Whoever wins this fights for the title. Well, when I win this, I fight for the title!
“And that is my aim. My aim is to get back that two-time world championship. And everyone knew the result of the fight with me and Belal. Everyone knew that, with me, that was fighting at home, at 5am in the morning. There’s a lot of things that went into it that played a part in the performance.
“So I can’t wait to get back in there and just set everything right. And I think it all starts with Sean Brady.”
