Edwards to return in November on MSG card with JDM vs Makhachev

Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards said he plans to return to the octagon in November and is aiming to fight on the Madison Square Garden card expected to be headlined by Jack Della Maddalena against Islam Makhachev. Edwards made the announcement while cornering his brother, Fabian Edwards, at the PFL World Tournament finals, and said he feels ready after an extended training period spent largely helping his younger sibling prepare for competition.

"November for sure," Edwards said when asked about his comeback timeframe. "I think JDM is fighting Islam Makhachev at MSG, so I want to be on the same card. I feel good. I’ve been training and helping Fabian in camp. Now I’m ready to go. I’ve waited for the division to settle a little bit, and now I’m ready to go. I’m one or two away from getting my belt back, so I’m locking in and I’m going to get it done."

Edwards, 33, remains a top-ranked welterweight despite back-to-back setbacks earlier this year. He lost the title to Belal Muhammad last summer and was finished by Sean Brady in London in March. Before those defeats, Edwards had risen to the very top of the division with wins over Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington,...