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Former welterweight champion Leon Edwards has secured his next opponent for UFC 322, and the matchup could produce one of the year’s most explosive encounters. Dana White confirmed that Edwards will face Brazilian knockout artist Carlos Prates on November 15th at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The announcement occurred during White’s Instagram Live session, which added another high-stakes bout to what already appears as a spectacular card. Edwards enters this fight with the weight of a two-fight losing streak, something the Birmingham native has never faced in his professional career.
His reign as welterweight champion ended when Belal Muhammad outpointed him in Manchester last July, followed by an even more shocking defeat in March when Sean Brady submitted him via guillotine choke in London. The loss to Brady marked the first time Edwards had ever been finished, leaving many to question whether the 34-year-old former champion has lost a step or simply hit a rough patch.
The timing of this matchup has captured significant attention from fans and bettors alike. Those looking to wager on the fight can find comprehensive reviews of licensed operators, welcome bonus comparisons, and detailed safety ratings at the best betting sites in the UK to help choose the most suitable platform for their needs. These sites offer everything from odds analysis to payment method guides for UK punters.
Edwards brings experience and technical precision, but faces a dangerous opponent in Prates, who has been systematically destroying welterweight contenders with brutal finishing ability. Prates’ recent knockout power and unpredictable striking style make this one of the most compelling and difficult fights to predict for bettors this year.
Prates earned this opportunity through spectacular fashion, delivering one of the year’s most devastating knockouts when he flatlined Geoff Neal with a spinning back elbow in the final second of their first round at UFC 319. The Brazilian immediately called for a fight with Edwards, requesting the matchup take place in Rio de Janeiro during his post-fight interview. White not only granted Prates a $50,000 bonus on the spot but also promised him a high-profile opponent, which has now materialized in the form of the former champion.
The 32-year-old Brazilian has compiled a 5-1 record in the UFC with five knockouts, establishing himself as one of the most dangerous finishers in the welterweight division. His only promotional loss came against Ian Machado Garry in April, but Prates responded emphatically by destroying Neal with one of the most violent elbows in recent memory. The knockout was the ninth spinning back elbow finish in UFC history and marked Prates’ fifth knockout since the start of 2024.
UFC 322 has Jack Della Maddalena defending his welterweight belt against Islam Makhachev, with Valentina Shevchenko fighting Zhang Weili for the flyweight title. Edwards needs this win because another loss could ruin his title chances. For Prates, beating a former champion at MSG would put him with the division’s elite. This fight will make or break both careers.