In his UK homecoming fight at Villa Park against Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards is daydreaming of defending his UFC welterweight title.
The Birmingham native stunned the world in August when he knocked out Kamaru Usman. He hasn’t competed in England since March 2019.
The 31-year-old succeeded Michael Bisping to become Britain’s second UFC champion.
Usman, one of the most dominant champions in the history of mixed martial arts (MMA), entered their rematch having defeated Edwards by unanimous decision in their initial encounter in 2015 and on a 19-fight winning run.
The 35-year-old was brutally halted by Edwards in the fifth round, who connected with a huge head kick.
In an interview with talkSPORT, “Rocky” disclosed he is already in discussions to face Usman to wrap up their trilogy.
The Monday following the fight, I met with [UFC president] Dana White, he stated.
They expressed a desire to return to the UK and stage a major event at a stadium. It appears to be Cardiff.
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Edwards is lobbying for the fight to be held at Aston Villa’s stadium, which is close to where he lives, despite the possibility that the fight would take place in Wales.
To having it back in Birmingham in Villa would be fantastic, he continued. I grew up in Aston, where the Park is located.
“However, I don’t believe Villa has a roof, so it would probably be a bit challenging to do in the beginning of next year, around February/March/April.
“If not, we’ll look for a different location in the UK. It would immediately sell out and in a hurry.
To have the Birmingham man be able to accomplish it and succeed. If it were to be brought back now, it would immediately sell out.
Tyron Woodley and Edwards were scheduled to square off in London in 2020, but the bout was cancelled, leaving Edwards disappointed.
He said in reference to the significance of going back to England: “To have the Woodley fight postponed, now to have the belt, and then to defend the belt in the UK.
“Wild scenes are going to be there, it’s absolutely wonderful,”
When asked if defeating Usman mattered more after putting him to sleep, he responded, “100%.
And only for the stakes, he was the world’s best fighter pound-for-pound.
“I went in there and stopped him the way I did because he hadn’t been defeated in so many years.
“I think it showed the world that MMA in the UK is expanding and that I am the best,” the winner said.
