Two weeks ago, Dana White dropped an avalanche of major fight announcements in one video, with a host of UFC title matchups among them.
One of those bombshells delivered by the UFC president was the news that Shavkat Rakhmonov was carrying an injury and unable to challenge for Belal Muhammad's welterweight title, and that the UFC had decided to pluck Jack Della Maddalena (17-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) from his headline fight at UFC London this month to instead face 'Remember the Name' at UFC 315 in May.
Della Maddalena's original opponent, former welterweight champion Leon Edwards (22-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC), remains on the London card and has been handed a replacement opponent in Sean Brady (17-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC). Ahead of the fight, which takes place at London's 02 Arena on March 22nd, 'Rocky' has been discussing how the switch up affects the title picture at 170 pounds.
"I heard about my replacement fight probably a couple of weeks before", Edwards said this week in a video on his YouTube channel. "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 because it would be weird to let Jack headline London".
"When I Win This, I Fight For The Title"
"I've got a new opponent, Sean Brady", Edwards continued. "It's a style that I'm used to, a style that I'm comfortable fighting. Yes, I'm looking forward to it. It should be good. Also, Jack getting replaced to fight for the title, I feel like that opened up the division more. If he goes up, then get the win. I think that's the perfect fight for me next".
Edwards lost his welterweight title to Belal Muhammad when he was dominated over 5 rounds at UFC 304 in Manchester, England last year. The bout took place in the early hours of the morning (local time) and Edwards believes that played a huge part in his failure to perform at his best.
"If Belal beats him, then, like I said, the rematch is there for me as well", said the Birmingham native. "I spoke to the UFC. They told me that after this win, this is the (number) one contender fight. Whoever wins this, fights for the title. Well, when I win this, I fight for the title. That is my aim. My aim is to get back that two-time world championship and the result of the fight with me and Belal. Everyone knew they were at me. That was fighting at home, 5 a. m. in the morning. There's a lot of things that went into it that played a part in the performance. I can't wait to get back in there and just set everything right. I think it's an all-star fight".
