Leon Edwards signs multi-fight deal with UFC

Welterweight contender Leon Edwards has inked a new deal heading into the biggest fight of his career.

Edwards (18-3) has signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC, according to a release from his management team Paradigm Sports. He is scheduled to fight former world champion Tyron Woodley in the main event of the promotion’s upcoming March 21 card at The 02 in London.

Fighting out of Birmingham, England, Edwards has emerged as a title contender on the strength of an eight-fight winning streak that dates back to May 2016. Edwards most recently defeated another former UFC champion, one-time lightweight king Rafael dos Anjos, in the main event of UFC on ESPN 4.

Edwards’s other notable victories include Gunnar Nelson, Donald Cerrone, Bryan Barberena, and Vicente Luque. He has not lost since dropping a unanimous decision to future (and current) UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman back in December 2015.

“I am excited to re-sign with the world’s foremost MMA promotion,” Edwards said, per a release. “I have had an incredible run in the UFC thus far, and this contract secures my financial position as I make my run towards the welterweight title in 2020.”

Usman has said that Edwards is “deserving” of a rematch should he continue his winning ways. The 28-year-old has also been involved in a notable public feud with “BMF” champion Jorge Masvidal.