Leon Edwards’ path back to UFC welterweight title contention looks set to begin in a couple of months time.

According to Benny P MMA and later confirmed by numerous other reports, the UFC is seeking to pair the former 170-pound champion Edwards with the 4th ranked welterweight Jack Della Maddalena at the organisation’s return to the English capital on March 22. The fight will be Edwards’ first since he lost the world title by unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad last summer.

Australia’s Della Maddalena, 28, has won seven straight fights in the UFC welterweight division (eight if you count his showing on the Dana White Contender Series), and is also the winner of 17 consecutive bouts since dropping the first two professional fights of his career in 2016.

JDM last competed in April of last year with a knockout win over the former title contender Gilbert Burns. However, he sustained a broken arm in the bout which sidelined him for several months.

Between them, Edwards and Della Maddalena are a combined 29-1 (1) in their past 31 bouts.

The winner of the fight, which will headline the UFC London card, is expected to be at the top of the line when it comes to determining a future challenger to the UFC welterweight title.

UFC London takes place on March 22 at the O2 Arena.