UFC News

Former champion Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards teases fight news for homecoming UFC bout in early 2025

Admin 3 days ago

9 1 minute read

Four months after dropping his UFC welterweight title to Belal Muhammad, 'Rocky' has revealed he plans to return to the Octagon in early 2025.

While the former champion remained coy about who his next opponent will be, the shrewd striking specialist teased that he is planning another major title run in the new year.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Leon Edwards teases the spot for the main event of UFC London in early 2025

Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards attended the blockbuster Sunny Edwards vs Galal Yafai boxing card in Birmingham last night; earning a roar from his home crowd every time he appeared on the big screen.

During the DAZN broadcast, Edwards was asked when and where he will make his return to the UFC octagon.

According to 'Rocky', he will be one half of the headliners of UFC Fight Night 255, scheduled for the O2 Arena in London, England, on March 22, 2025.

While Edwards didn't mention a specific name, and given the WW schedule for the next two weeks, there are only a handful of potential opponents that would make sense for March – Sean Brady and Jack Della Maddalena are the first that come to mind.

Whoever his opponent is, it should be a meaningful match, as Edwards also teased in a recent interview with MyProtein that he plans to regain his welterweight title by the end of 2025.

“My goal right now is obviously to get the belt back. I would like to be champion again at the end of next year, or this time next year. So I'm just taking steps.

“I hadn't lost a fight in nine years, so I was just getting used to that feeling again; I hate losing more than I love winning… My goal is to become a two-time world champion.”

A quick look at the confirmed UFC schedule for Q1 2025

As of December 1, the UFC has officially announced their PPV and Fight Night schedule through the end of March 2025 – take a quick look at the upcoming list below.

UFC 310: Pantoja vs. Asakura – December 7, Las Vegas
UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley – Dec. 14, Tampa
UFC Fight Night 249 – January 11, Las Vegas
UFC 311 – January 18, Inglewood
UFC Fight Night 250 – February 1, Riyadh
UFC 312 – February 9, Sydney
UFC Fight Night 251 – February 15, Las Vegas
UFC Fight Night 252 – February 22, Seattle
UFC Fight Night 253 – March 1, Las Vegas
UFC 313 – March 8, Las Vegas
UFC Fight Night 254 – March 15, Las Vegas
UFC Fight Night 255 – March 22, London
UFC Fight Night 256 – March 29, Mexico City

While most of these cards still haven't announced a main event, it's been recalled that the UFC 311 PPV event is expected to be headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan.