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Leon Edwards confirms Kamaru Usman trilogy fight is slated for March 2023 in the UK as the Brit looks set to make the first defense of his new UFC welterweight crown in a stadium
- British fighter defeated Kamaru Usman to become world champion in August
- Leon Edwards revealed that a trilogy fight is planned for March 2023 in the UK
- It will be the first defense of his UFC welterweight title – maybe in a stadium
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Leon Edwards has revealed that his first UFC welterweight title defense will take place in March 2023 in the UK, possibly in a stadium.
The Jamaican-British fighter defeated Kamaru Usman to become a UFC World Champion in August and speculation about his next fight has been rampant.
However, Edwards, who appeared on Sky Sports’ Soccer AM on Saturday morning, revealed that it will take place in the UK against Usman in March.
Leon Edwards has said his first title defense will take place in the UK in March next year
When asked where he would go after his success in Salt Lake City in August, Edwards said a trilogy fight was planned and he hoped it would take place in a stadium next year.
Edwards told talkSPORT earlier this week: ‘To have it back in Birmingham at Villa – I also grew up in Aston, where the Park is, so that would be great.
“I don’t think there is a roof at Villa so it will probably be a little difficult to do it early next year around February/March/April.
The British-Jamaican fighter defeated Kamaru Usman with a brutal knockout in August
‘If not, we’ll look for another location in the UK. It would sell out quickly.”
UFC always comes to the O2 in March, raising the prospect of a world title fight in London next March.
However, the idea of Birmingham seems to appeal to the fighter.
“To get the man from Birmingham to do it, to achieve it. To bring it back now would sell out right away,” he said.
His comments come days after he released the Back Again With Troopz. told podcast of his plans to bring the fight to the United Kingdom.
He said, “They say they want the trilogy, for Usman.”
When asked where the trilogy fight, one of the most compelling proposals in the UFC right now, will be held, Edwards replied, “It’s at Wembley, bro.”
‘I’m not going there now (the US). I did my job, I went to his backyard and took it from him, so now he has to come to my backyard. I don’t go there anymore.
Edwards said he had done his job in the US and now it was Usman’s turn to come to the UK as a challenger
“It’s on my terms now. He must come here.’
In August, Edwards produced a sensational performance to take out Usman and claim his first world title.
After his fight, Edwards told reporters that he had been “questionable” all his life, but that the victory over Usman gave him the perfect justification for his hard work and toil.
“You all doubted me and said I couldn’t – now look at me,” said the Kingston, Jamaican-born fighter.
“I’m from the trenches. I’m built that way. I’ve doubted all my life, but now look at me.’
A possible stadium fight in the UK to defend his title would be a further indication of the stardom he has grown on his own.