BREAKING NEWSLeon Edwards’ new opponent for London’s UFC Fight Night 255 is confirmed with Jack Della Maddalena replaced in headline contest

Leon Edwards will face a new opponent at UFC Fight Night 255 in London next month.

The 33-year-old, who fights out of Birmingham, had originally been scheduled to meet Jack Della Maddalena on March 22 at the O2 Arena.

However, Della Maddalena has since been promoted to the UFC 315 main event, where he will fight Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title in Montreal.

UFC CEO and president Dana White revealed on Wednesday night that Edwards will instead take on 32-year-old American Sean Brady in London.

White broke the news via Instagram Live, before UFC officials later confirmed it.

Edwards is No1 ranked contender in the UFC’s 170lb division after losing the welterweight belt to Muhammad in Manchester in July.

Leon Edwards’ new opponent for next month’s UFC Fight Night 255 event has been confirmed

Edwards will now face American Sean Brady (pictured) in the headline slot on March 22

UFC Fight Night 255 will take place at North Greenwich’s O2 Arena in south-east London

That defeat ended a 12-fight winning streak for Edwards, whose first clash with Muhammad was ruled a no contest in 2021 due to an accidental eye poke.

During that impressive run of victories, Edwards overcame Donald Cerrone, Gunnar Nelson, Rafael dos Anjos, Kamaru Usman, and Colby Covington.

Next opponent Brady – who is ranked fifth in the welterweight division – has won 17 of his first 18 fights in UFC.

He too was beaten by Muhammad, who stopped him in the second round of their featured preliminary bout at UFC 280 in 2022.

Edwards vs Brady will headline UFC Fight Night 255, while other contests on the card will include Jan Blachowicz vs Carlos Ulberg, Gunnar Nelson vs Kevin Holland, and Molly McCann vs Istela Nunes.