Dana White teases huge UFC event in UK as hints dropped over next Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall fights

Dana White has confirmed that the UFC will return to England for a blockbuster 'numbered, pay-per-view' card in 2024.

The UFC hasn't visited England since last summer's UFC Fight Night - headlined by Tom Aspinall.

The MMA leaders had two shows in England last year, with Leon Edwards defending his UFC welterweight title against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 back in March 2023.

Another huge PPV card is being planned for England in 2024 as White talked up UFC champions Edwards and Aspinall, who bagged the interim UFC heavyweight title against Sergei Pavlovich last November.

"I have an English heavyweight champion [Aspinall] and lots of other European stars," the UFC CEO told TNT Sports.

"There are two champions now out of England, so we have these teams that build all their different pieces to the puzzle.

"Then we come together with me, and then I start trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together.

"I have got great fights lined up for the UK fans, and I'm excited to get back there."

Leon Edwards celebrates his victory over Colby Covington. Image: Getty

And UK MMA fans can expect an official announcement soon as White gleefully added: "Literally days, we’re right there working on the stuff. We got some bad-ass plans for England.

"It’ll be a numbered, pay-per-view card."

A UFC event in Manchester has been rumoued for July, with Aspinall hailing from Salford.

He could defend his interim title as UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones holds out for a showdown against Stipe Miocic.

A rematch against Curtis Blaydes is in play following his stoppage victory over Jailton Almeida at UFC 299.

Edwards could also feature as he hasn't got a fight lined up, having defended his championship against Colby Covington last year. He had been rumoured to compete at UFC 300, but a bout failed to materialise.

A double-header featuring both Edwards and Aspinall would be the dream scenario, but it's unsure whether the UFC would have both fighters on the same card.

The promotion hasn't been in the North West of England since UFC 204: Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson. 2.

But the famed Octagon could set up shop in Manchester this summer, with the AO Arena or the Co-op Live potential venues to host the numbered card.

Topics: UFC, Leon Edwards, Dana White

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

@NasJabbar