Leon Edwards expects to negotiate a new UFC deal ahead of his next fight after knocking out Kamaru Usman to win the welterweight title.
Edwards, 31, is looking to defend his newly-acclaimed title in the first quarter of next year after winning the belt with a last-gasp knockout against Usman at UFC 278 in August. The Brit signed a new UFC contract before his cancelled fight against Tyron Woodley in March 2020, but he will negotiate a new deal with the promotion for more money after becoming just the second British champion in UFC history.
When asked about his current UFC contract, Edwards said: "I need a new one now, 100 per cent. Not yet because as far as dates and fights, that normally happens when you talk about fights because you use the fight to negotiate the contract. When it's time to start talking about the fight and the date of the fight, we'll start negotiating a new deal and go from there."
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Since signing his last UFC deal, Edwards has fought to a no-contest against Belal Muhammad whilst also picking up wins against Nate Diaz and Usman. The Brit's stock has skyrocketed since becoming champion as UFC boss Dana White looks to book him in the promotion's first UK stadium event for his next fight, with Wembley Stadium in London and Villa Park in Birmingham serving as potential venues.
Discussing the possibility of filling out Wembley's 90,000 capacity for his first title defence, Edwards said: "I think mixed martial arts has grown so much in the UK and it's been waiting for a show like that to happen in Europe. Now you've got a world champion from the UK I think it's the perfect time, especially with all the other [British] fighters doing well in the sport I think now is the time to do it, to keep growing MMA in this part of the world."
A trilogy fight with Usman will likely serve as Edwards' first title defence and the Brit thinks his rival could change his tactics for their third meeting. "That bad of a knockout does play an effect on you," he said. "He might just go straight wrestling and think 'I'm not even risking striking with nobody anymore' and just go back to that boring Usman in which he just holds people against the cage. know [the loss] plays a part in his mind so I'd love to see how he approaches it when we do fight again."
