It appears as though Leon Edwards has got his wish.
The Birmingham welterweight, who is currently in the midst of an eight fight winning streak, looks to have secured a bout which could propel him towards title contention at 170-pounds after it has been reported that UFC brass have agreed a deal for him to take on former champion Tyron Woodley in the main event of the UFC’s trip to the English capital on March 21.
As reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, who credited UFC president Dana White as his source, the two fighters will meet in a little over two months’ time in what will be Woodley’s first bout since losing his 170-pound title to Kamaru Usman last year. Edwards, meanwhile, has wracked off successive wins against divisional stalwarts Rafael Dos Anjos, Gunnar Nelson and Donald Cerrone.
BREAKING: Leon Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) vs Tyron Woodley (@TWooodley) is on as the headliner of UFC London, per Dana White. ELITE 170-pound matchup. pic.twitter.com/KrSvPfWZ1s
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 17, 2020
Edwards hasn’t experienced defeat since a 2015 decision loss to Kamaru Usman in 2015 and will be hoping that a win against Woodley will lead to another shot at the current champion, this time with UFC gold on the line.
Before he lost his title in a subdued showing against Usman last year, Woodley had put together an impressive run as titleholder. He defeated Darren Till, Demian Maia and defended twice against Stephen Thompson (one win and one draw). A victory against the surging Edwards is crucial if the fighter, who turns 38 in April, is to make another run at the world title.
