Dana White has revealed that he’s planning a major UFC event in the UK next year, and he already knows two massive fights that he wants to book for it.
The first one is a no-brainer, giving newly crowned welterweight champion Leon Edwards the opportunity to fight on home soil in his rematch with former long-time titleholder Kamaru Usman, who he spectacularly KO’d in the fifth round of their first fight earlier this year.
“Leon Edwards, in his home country, in England. It’s been so long. I’m getting goosebumps!” White exclaimed in a new interview with BT Sport ahead of this weekend’s UFC 280 event.
“It’s been so long since we brought a big title fight back to the UK. We’re going to make that card, look like this card [UFC 280]. I’m so excited because you know how much I love the fans in England, and in the UK.
“Look at my goosebumps! I’m f****** pumped! Yes we will be back in England.”
White also revealed that he’d already made his mind up to do the Edwards vs. Usman rematch in the UK by the time he got backstage after the first fight.
“When Leon Edwards won that fight, I walked in the back and said ‘we’re going to England boys’. I said ‘f***ing move this whole schedule, we’re going to England.’
“England deserves this and Leon Edwards deserves this. I’m excited, I can’t wait.”
However, White then went on to reveal that he also plans to have Khamzat Chimaev fight on the same card.
“Khamzat wants to fight at 170 [lbs].
“I’m going to give him one more opportunity to fight at 170. He needs to deliver and make the weight. I would love to do that fight in England too.
“I’m telling you, I’m going to bring a badass card to England. English fans have been incredible. They’re so fun, they bring such great energy.
And White also appeared to acknowledge that he wants the fight to be a potential 170lb title eliminator against Colby Covington.
“I agree with you. I’m on it. I’ll get it done,” White told Mac Life when asked if Covington would be Chimaev’s opponent.
