Dana White gets ‘goosebumps’ talking about UFC’s UK return with Chimaev hint

Dana White has promised to bring a "badass card" to the UK headed up by Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship in 2023.

The UFC president sat down ahead of this weekend's UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi to give an update on their already promised return to the UK after Edwards stunned Usman with a fifth-round KO in August.

Although he once pledged never to hold an event in an open-air arena, the Principality Stadium in Wales has emerged as a potential destination thanks to the retractable roof, and could even feature an appearance from Khamzat Chimaev.

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Speaking to Adam Catterall of BT Sport ahead of UFC 280, Dana said: "We're coming back to England with the rematch.

"Leon Edwards, in his home country, in England. It's been so long, I'm getting goosebumps telling you this, 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) and I'm so excited because you know how much I love the fans in England and the UK, I've still got goosebumps, look at my goosebumps, anyway yeah… I'm f***ing pumped!"

Michael Bisping, who was the only Brit to have won a UFC title before Edwards, defended his belt against Dan Henderson in Manchester back in 2016.

Who would you most like to see fight on the next UK UFC card? Tell us in the comments section below.

Dana went on to confirm that the UFC will return to England before being asked about Chimaev, who wants to continue fighting at welterweight despite his recent struggle to make 170lbs.

The promotional president said he is willing to give him one more opportunity to fight at his current weight class – and that he would love for it to be in England.

He concluded: "I'm telling you, I'm going to bring a badass card to England. English fans have been incredible. They are so fun and they bring so much great energy."

Speaking to Daily Star Sport earlier this month, Edwards said his stunning fifth-round knockout at UFC 278 came against the very best version of then P4P king Usman.

Edwards said: "It was one of the worst performances of my career and that was the best Usman we're going to get.

"That's what he does in fights that's the best we will see – and it was the worst of me. I think it will be a totally different fight – with the same result."

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