- Leon Edwards and Sean Brady’s UFC London showdown headlines on Saturday
- ‘Rocky’ tipped the scales at 171 pounds, while American weighed-in at 170
- Every fighter on card stacked with British talent made weight without an issue
UFC London’s headliner between Leon Edwards and Sean Brady has the green light after both combatants weighed in without a hitch on Friday morning.
‘Rocky’ tipped the scales at 171 pounds, while the shorter, powerful rival from Philadelphia clocked it at 170.
In the Hilton Hotel, Canary Wharf, Edwards strolled through first and his opponent was seconds behind him.
Both men appeared to be comfortable having cut the weight and refined the process down to a fine art.
The rehydration will now begin ahead of their clash, with cage walks anticipated around 10:00pm and they’ll pile on the pounds, looking significantly different by the time fans see them in the octagon.
The home fighter has conveyed a steely determination all fight week to bounce back from the first defeat in a decade.
Leon Edwards looked composed on the scales on Friday morning, hitting the 171-pound mark
Sean Brady clocked the scales at 170 on the dot and will now begin his rehydration
He grew irritated by persistent questions about Belal Muhammad on media day and is intently focused on the challenge right in front of him.
Brady is the betting favourite and his only defeat is also to Muhammad. He’s predicted a submission win to silence the crowd in the second or third round.
That would make him the first fighter to finish ‘Rocky’ and send a huge message to Dana White and Co.
Edwards and Brady feel the winner of their contest should be next in line for a title shot at the winner of Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena on May 10 at UFC 315.
But manner of victory will be significant. Edwards’ defeat in Manchester last summer was a dour performance against the suffocating pressure wrestling of his challenger.
He can expect a similar approach this Saturday night from Brady but is accustomed to the style having fought wrestlers in his previous four encounters.
Meanwhile, Molly McCann weighed in without a problem ahead of what will be her third fight at strawweight.
Meatball faces a tough test against Brazilian newcomer Alexia Thainara, who is a significant favourite.
McCann grinned on stage at the Hilton Hotel, looking strong at the weight on Friday
But the Liverpool fighter has promised to show a more calculated, mature side to get the job done, leaning on experience against the exciting rising star.
On Thursday, she said: ‘I’m expecting to have someone come for me the whole way. She’s coming to take my head off, she’s come around the world on nine days notice but I know there will be 18,000 behind me.
‘I think she’ll be really dangerous in the first round, you’ll see a more educated Molly McCann in there. I still have a lot of miles in the tank and a lot to accomplish before I’m ready to leave the cage.’
Every fighter on the London card reached their required weight and barring any late illness or injury, there will be a full schedule on Saturday night.
