The Briton fights on 22 March for the first time since losing the UFC belt to Belal Muhammad last July.

Edwards, 33, was booked to fight Jack Della Maddalena, but the Australian was pulled from the card to face Muhammad instead on 10 May.

“If Jack goes out and gets a win, it’ll open up the division more, that’ll be the perfect fight for me next,” Edwards said on his YouTube channel., external

“If Belal beats him, then the rematch is there as well. I’ve talked to the UFC, and they’ve said that this [bout] is a number one contender fight.

“When I win this, I fight for the title.”

Edwards said he offered to step in for the injured Shavkat Rakhmonov against Muhammad, but the UFC did not want to pull him from the London card.

“It would be weird to let Jack headline London,” he added.

Edwards headlines UFC London, with Liverpool star Molly McCann also in action.

UFC Fight Night: Leon Edwards v Sean Brady (welterweight)

Jan Blachowicz v Carlos Ulberg (light-heavyweight)

Gunnar Nelson v Kevin Holland (welterweight)

Molly McCann v Istela Nunes (strawweight)

Jordan Vucenic v Chris Duncan (lightweight)

Nathaniel Wood v Morgan Charriere (featherweight)