I owe the UK fans after last performance - Edwards

Leon Edwards is first in the UFC welterweight rankings

Leon Edwards says he "owes the fans" in the UK with the Briton set to fight for the first time since defeat by Belal Muhammad in July.

Birmingham's Edwards, 33, lost his welterweight title at UFC 304 in Manchester after being outclassed over five gruelling rounds.

Edwards returns to action against American Sean Brady in the main event at UFC London on Saturday at the O2 Arena.

"I'm going out for the finish. I feel like I owe the fans after my last performance in the UK," Edwards told BBC Sport.

Edwards was uncharacteristically sluggish against Muhammad eight months ago, with the Briton suggesting he had felt the pressure of chasing Georges St-Pierre's welterweight title defence record.

Edwards went into the bout with two title defences - seven behind the Canadian great's record of nine.

Edwards' bout with 32-year-old Brady, who is fifth in the welterweight rankings, is his first following a defeat in almost 10 years.

His previous loss before being outpointed by Muhammad was against Kamaru Usman in 2015.

"I think the loss has taken a bit of pressure off. I went almost 10 years without losing a fight - now I just go out there and not worry about beating any records," said Edwards.

"I was chasing GSP's record, but now I feel content with myself - I'm a seasoned veteran and I can go out there and perform and show the world the best version of me."

Brady was drafted in at short notice for the contest with Edwards after Jack Della Maddalena withdrew to fight Muhammad in May.

He comes into the bout on a two-fight win streak having defeated Gilbert Burns in his last performance in September.