Leon Edwards confirmed that it’s looking like his first UFC title defence will occur in March 2023 on home soil, and the UFC are debating hosting the fight in a stadium.
The newly crowned welterweight champion dethroned the P4P king Kamaru Usman to become the second Brit to attain a UFC championship after Michael Bisping.
There had been talks in regard to the Jamaican-born’s next fight, but Edwards revealed during an appearance on Soccer AM that he will undergo a trilogy bout with Kamaru Usman next March in the United Kingdom.
When asked what’s next, Edwards voiced the UFC had pencilled March in, and if he had his way, Villa Park would be his stadium of choice, being a fan of Aston Villa.
Leon Edwards on Upcoming Title Defence
During his interview with talksSPORT earlier in the week, Edwards doubled down on his urge to have an event in his hometown.
“‘To have it back in Birmingham in Villa – I grew up in Aston as well, where the Park is, so that would be amazing.
I don’t think there’s a roof though at Villa, so it would probably be a bit difficult to do in early next year, around February/March/April.
If not, we will find another venue in the UK. It would sell out quick straight away.”
The UFC’s usual spot is the O2 in London when they visit England, but with the demand for tickets and the forever-growing popularity of the sport, a stadium event doesn’t seem a million miles away. If the champion had his way, a headlining spot in his backyard sounds appetising.
‘To have the guy from Birmingham be able to do it, to achieve it. To bring it back now, it would sell out straight away,’ he said.
Do you think the Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman trilogy will be hosted in a stadium?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
