Kamaru Usman v Leon Edwards: 'I'll prove Britons can be UFC champions from home'

Leon Edwards says his title fight against Kamaru Usman will prove Britons do not have to move abroad to become UFC champions.

UFC president Dana White said last weekexternal-link that Edwards, who lives and trains in Birmingham, will fight for welterweight gold at a date yet to be confirmed.

Should Edwards win, he will follow Michael Bisping in becoming only the second British UFC champion in history.

Bisping won the middleweight title in 2016 but lived and trained in America.

«When I was younger I started believing that you have to move to America,» Edwards, 30, told BBC Sport.

«But apart from Bisping, I can't name one other fighter who's left the UK and moved to America and been successful.»

«So where is the blueprint to say this works? It doesn't. You just need the right team around you, believe in yourself, work hard and dedicate yourself where you need to.»

Edwards' title opportunity follows a 10-fight unbeaten streak, including impressive victories over Nate Diaz, Rafael dos Anjos and Gunnar Nelson.

His last loss came against Nigeria's Usman in 2015 where he was outpointed over three rounds.

Since that fight, Usman has gone on to become a dominant force in the UFC, with the 34-year-old rising to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings.

Edwards sees the rematch as an opportunity to avenge the first loss and is eager to prove he can beat Usman.

«I've been preparing for this fight since I last lost to him — I've been watching him, studying him and figuring out ways to beat him,» said Edwards.

«So to have a title opportunity and go back and get revenge for your last loss six or seven years ago — to take the title off him as well is such a bonus. It's perfect.»

Edwards was out-wrestled during the first fight against Usman with the