Report - Leon Edwards, Jorge Masvidal Targeted To Meet In UFC 269 Grudge Match

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari - Zuffa LLC & Josh Hedges - Zuffa LLC

A pivotal welterweight showdown between the #3 ranked division contender, Leon 'Rocky' Edwards, and former two-time title challenger, the #6 rated, Jorge 'Gamebred' Masvidal is currently in the works to feature on the main card of UFC 269 on December 11. At the time of publication, a location or venue for the event has yet to be determined by the promotion.

Per UFC Chief Business Officer, Hunter Campbell as reported by ESPN MMA reporter, Brett Okamoto -- the promotion are currently in the process of finalizing a three round welterweight matchup between Edwards and Masvidal, which would take place on December 11. on the UFC 269 main card.

Reporter, Ariel Helwani also confirmed that the deal for Edwards and Masvidal to finally settle their differences on December 11. was all but done. And as a result, UFC 269 will now contain two title fights rather than the initially slated three, with the flyweight trilogy bout between defending champion, Brandon Moreno and former titleholder, Deiveson Figueiredo now expected to land on UFC 271 the following month -- joining Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane on January 22.

The welterweight contenders share quite the colored past, with the two involved in a physical altercation following the culmination of their respective bouts at UFC Fight Night London back in March 2019.

Engaging in a conversation with Masvidal, who was carrying out media obligations, Edwards, off-screen, called for a matchup with the Floridian that summer, with the former ending his interview to speak face-to-face with the Birmingham native. After exchanging verbals, Masvidal punched Edwards, resulting in a cut and some swelling beneath his left eye, before the two were corralled. 

In the time since, Edwards has managed to extend his undefeated run through the welterweight ranks to 10 straight fights, most recently handing common-foe, Nate Diaz a five round, non-main event, non-title unanimous decision defeat at UFC 263 in Glendale, Arizona back in June.

For Masvidal, the American Top Team mainstay suffered a pair of title challenge defeats to common-opposition, Kamaru Usman in his last two Octagon walks. The #6 ranked contender challenged Usman in a UFC 261 rematch in April -- dropping a massive second round knockout loss in Jacksonville, Florida. 

UFC 269 takes place on December 11. -- with a location or venue for the event yet to be confirmed by the organizaton. A lightweight title fight between reigning champion, Charles 'Do Bronx' Oliveira and the #1 ranked, former interim titleholder, Dustin 'The Diamond' Poirier is slated to take headlining honors.