Leon Edwards is preparing for his return to the UFC Octagon after encountering consecutive setbacks in his career. The former UFC Welterweight Champion recently suffered his first two losses following a long unbeaten streak, and he is now focusing on reclaiming his place among the top contenders with fresh opponents in sight. Discussions are underway for Edwards to face Ian Machado Garry and Jack Della Maddalena in upcoming UFC bouts.
Edwards expresses interest in fighting Ian Machado Garry to restart his UFC journey
Ian Machado Garry has caught the attention of Leon Edwards as a promising opponent to mark his comeback. In a conversation with Joe Leigh of Sky Sports, Edwards described the matchup as appealing and confirmed that it was a fight he had proposed to the UFC. Machado Garry holds a 16-1 professional record and a 9-1 UFC record, coming off a notable five-round victory against rising star Carlos Prates in May.
“I think that’d be a great fight to get back in there,”
Edwards said about a potential bout with Machado Garry. —Leon Edwards, UFC Fighter
Edwards confident about rescheduling bout with Jack Della Maddalena
Prior plans for Edwards to fight Jack Della Maddalena were altered when Della Maddalena was selected as the next title challenger instead of facing Edwards in a title eliminator. Della Maddalena eventually captured the welterweight title by decision over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, while Edwards faced a challenging fight against Sean Brady, resulting in his first submission loss.
Despite these developments, Edwards remains optimistic about arranging a fight with Della Maddalena, believing there is ample opportunity for them to meet inside the octagon. He emphasized the mutual respect for each other’s striking abilities and expressed confidence about the prospect.
“I think Jack is what? [28]. I’m 33, so I feel like there’s time for us to meet one day,”
Edwards remarked about the possibility of facing Della Maddalena.
“He’s got good boxing. I got good overall striking. I think it’d be a good fight…”
—Leon Edwards, UFC Fighter
What lies ahead for Leon Edwards after recent setbacks
Having experienced his first consecutive losses, Leon Edwards is determined not to retire and sees these upcoming matches as crucial steps to regain his status in the welterweight division. Facing fighters like Ian Machado Garry and Jack Della Maddalena offers Edwards a clear path to reestablish himself as a title contender. His focus on these fights demonstrates his commitment to staying competitive and making strategic choices to return to the championship scene.
Edwards’s decisions and performances in his upcoming UFC fights will play a vital role in his career’s next chapter, influencing his trajectory back toward title contention and his legacy in the sport.