LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 27: UFC CEO Dana White is seen on stage during the UFC 303 press conference … [+]
The return of former UFC lightweight champion Leon “Rocky” Edwards is locked in and the UK-based fighter is taking a home game.
Multiple media outlets reported that Edwards will face Jack Della Maddalena in his first fight since losing his title to Belal Muhammad in July. The fight will take place on March 9 and headline UFC London at the O2 Arena.
Edwards vs Maddalena will serve as the main event of the show and so far, UFC London is looking strong on paper.
Here’s a look at the fights expected to be on the UFC London card, according to Tapology:
- Leon Edwards vs. Jack Della Maddalena – Light weight (170 lbs)
- Marcin Tybura vs. Mick Parkin – Heavyweight (265 lbs)
- Jan Błachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg – Lightweight (205 lbs)
- Alonzo Menifield v. Oumar Sy – Lightweight (205 lbs)
- Shauna Bannon vs. Puja Tomar – Straw weight (115 lbs)
- Andrey Pulyaev vs. Christian Leroy Duncan – Middleweight (185 lbs)
- Molly McCann vs. Istela Nunes – Straw weight (115 lbs)
- Nathaniel Wood vs. Morgan Charrière – Featherweight (145 lbs)
- Caolan Loughran v Nathan Fletcher – Light weight
Edwards was on an impressive 13-fight unbeaten streak that included back-to-back wins over Kamaru Usman and a convincing win over Colby Covington.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 27: Jamaica’s Leon Edwards looks on between rounds against Belal … [+]
However, when Edwards rematched Muhammad – after their first fight ended in a no-contest following a blow to the eye that left Muhammad unable to continue – Rocky was no match for his boxing rival’s mix of timing and elite wrestling.
Edwards will look to get back to winning ways against Maddalena.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 17: Jack Della Maddalena is seen on stage during a Q&A session after … [+]
Speaking of streaks, Maddalena’s current 17-fight winning streak is one of the longest in the sport. Most recently, Maddalena scored an impressive third-round TKO victory over Gilbert Burns in March 2024.
When Edwards and Maddalena clash, the fight can be contested in different ways. Both men have the ability to put on an entertaining battle on their feet. However, Edwards’ wrestling has improved, so he may choose to push for a heavyweight fight because that is considered Maddalena’s weakness.
We could also see a fight that features a mix of the two styles.
What’s next for the UFC?
The first PPV of 2025 is almost here. UFC 311 features two championship bouts. In the main event, Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan. In the co-main event, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili defends his title against Umar Nurmagomedov.
Here’s a look at the card, which is still scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 18, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, despite the California wildfires causing much damage to surrounding areas.
UFC 311 Main Card (10:00 PM ET on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View)
- Lightweight title fight: Islam Makhachev (Champion) vs. (1) Arman Tsarukyan
- Bantamweight title fight: Merab Dvalishvili (Champion) vs (2) Umar Nurmagomedov
- Easy fight: (9) Beneil Dariush vs. (10) Renato Moicano
- Lightweight fight: (2) Jiří Procházka vs. (3) Jamahal Hills
- Middleweight fight: Kevin Holland vs Reinier de Ridder
UFC 311 Preliminary Card (8:00 PM ET on ESPNEWS and ESPN+)
- Lightweight fight: (13) Bogdan Guskov vs. Billy Elekana
- Bantamweight fight: Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos
- Heavyweight fight: (6) Jailton Almeida vs. (7) Serghei Spivac
- Middleweight fight: Zach Reese vs. Cedriques Dumas
UFC 311 preliminary card (6:00 PM EST on UFC Fight Pass)
- Easy fight: Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira
- Women’s bantamweight bout: Karol Rosa vs. Ailín Pérez
- Bantamweight fight: Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov
- Bantamweight fight: Ricky Turcios vs Benardo Sopaj
- Flyweight fight: (11) Tagir Ulanbekov v. Clayton Carpenter
