Leon Edwards won’t accept fighting Kamaru Usman again anywhere but in the United Kingdom.
Edwards (19-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC) upset Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC) with a stunning come-from-behind head-kick knockout at UFC 278 to capture the welterweight title in August. With the win, he avenged a 2015 decision loss to Usman. The two are expected to have a trilogy bout next.
UFC president Dana White usually isn’t keen on the idea of stadium shows, but admitted he sees a perfect opportunity in the U.K. now that Edwards is champion. The native of Birmingham, England, will do everything in his power to make sure that happens.
“It’s in Wembley, bro,” Edwards said in an interview with Troopz TV. “We’re going back to the sites. I’m not going over (to the U.S.) now. I did my job. I went to over to (Usman’s) backyard and took it off him, so now he has to come to my backyard. I’m not going over there again. It’s on my terms now. He has to come over here.”
Edwards expects the rubber match to take place in March – the usual month the UFC visits the U.K. The champion has heard of two possible locations so far.
“They said early next year, March-ish,” Edwards said. “Early next year over here in the U.K. – the stadium show. I think they’re coming to Wembley because it’s probably cold in March. It might be Cardiff (in Wales).”
Leon Edwards says Kamaru Usman trilogy has to happen in his backyard: ‘It’s on my terms now’
