After a hiatus of almost two years, the UFC is back in London, setting the stage for UFC London at the O2 Arena this Saturday. The main event features a crucial welterweight battle: former champion Leon Edwards returns to face rising contender Sean Brady. This marks Edwards` first fight since losing his title to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304.
MMA Fighting`s experts Alexander K. Lee, Mike Heck, and Jed Meshew discuss the significance of this main event and other key aspects of UFC London.
Championship Stakes for Edwards and Brady
Heck: For Leon Edwards, this fight is crucial for his championship aspirations. A loss here would be a major setback. Despite his prior title win and victories over Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, the UFC was hesitant to grant him a title opportunity initially. Now, after losing to Muhammad, another loss could severely damage his chances of regaining the welterweight belt. This is a high-stakes fight in his home country against a formidable opponent, albeit not a widely known name. Defeat could sideline Edwards from title contention for the foreseeable future.
For Sean Brady, the situation is similar to other emerging fighters. He needs to accumulate wins to earn a title shot. While a victory over Edwards would significantly boost his profile, his previous loss to Muhammad is a factor. A win here only slightly shortens his path to the title, while a loss would push him further down the rankings. However, being among the top welterweights is still a significant achievement.
Meshew: This fight is essentially a title eliminator bout. Edwards is currently ranked No. 1 in the welterweight division, and Brady is No. 5. Typically, a matchup between these rankings would clearly determine the next title challenger. However, the current UFC landscape in 2025 isn`t solely based on merit.
Shavkat Rakhmonov is likely next in line for a title shot, regardless of the outcome of this fight or the upcoming title defense between Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. Even lightweight champion Islam Makhachev`s potential move to welterweight to challenge for a second title adds complexity, especially if Muhammad loses his belt.
Therefore, the winner of Edwards vs. Brady will likely need another victory before a title shot. Potential opponents include rising contenders like Ian Machado Garry or Joaquin Buckley, possibly in a title eliminator fight serving as a supporting bout for Rakhmonov`s expected title opportunity.
Lee: Beyond title implications, Edwards is fighting for fan support and recognition. While a convincing win over Brady should warrant another title shot against Muhammad, fan interest in that rematch might be limited. Edwards needs to solidify his position as a top star with a dominant performance in London. Even if another win is needed for a title shot due to Rakhmonov`s priority, elevating his public profile with a strong victory is beneficial.
For Brady, this fight is a chance to disrupt the welterweight hierarchy and break into the top echelon of the division.
Light Heavyweight Title Picture
Meshew: The light heavyweight division has been significantly altered by Magomed Ankalaev`s title win over Alex Pereira. An immediate rematch for Pereira seems likely, sidelining other contenders like Ulberg and Blachowicz for now. However, after the rematch, the path to the title could open up.
Ulberg, with a potential eight-fight win streak, represents fresh blood in the division and has a strong case for a title shot after Pereira`s rematch. Blachowicz, as a former champion with close fights against both Ankalaev and Pereira, could also contend for one last title fight if he wins impressively at UFC London.
Lee: A Pereira rematch is likely whenever he wants it. Should he opt for a break, Blachowicz could step in. A Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev rematch is appealing given their prior close fight. Ulberg, with his exciting style and fresh contender status, is also a strong option. The fight`s outcome will significantly influence the matchmakers` decision, particularly if the wins are not decisive.
Heck: Ankalaev`s title win changes the landscape. Had Pereira won, the winner of Blachowicz vs. Ulberg might have been next in line. Now, a Pereira rematch is almost certain, likely taking place in October in Abu Dhabi. This leaves Blachowicz and Ulberg waiting on the sidelines. Blachowicz, in particular, may face an uphill battle given the UFC`s reaction to his first fight with Ankalaev, making a rematch less appealing.
Heavyweight Sleeper and Fan Favorites
Lee: Trivia: Which heavyweight has the longest active UFC win streak? It`s Mick Parkin, with a 4-0 UFC record and 10-0 overall. Parkin could realistically contend for the heavyweight title in 2025. With Jones inactive and Aspinall likely to defend soon, a few more wins for Parkin could put him in title contention, potentially against his countryman Aspinall.
Heck: Molly McCann is a huge fan favorite at UFC London events. Originally scheduled to fight a less experienced opponent, she now faces a tougher debutante. While her job might not be at risk, another loss would significantly diminish fan confidence. This is a critical fight for McCann.
Meshew: Lone`er Kavanagh is another fighter to watch. Making his second UFC appearance after a debut win, Kavanagh is a highly-rated prospect with explosive energy, strong technique, and potential for title contention in the flyweight division. He faces Felipe dos Santos, a solid prospect who has already faced top competition, making this an exciting matchup.
