Australian heavyweight kickboxer Ben Edwards is set to make his long-anticipated MMA debut in June against former AFC heavyweight champion Brandon Sosoli.
The fight was announced this week for the June 17 Monaro Fight Circuit (MFC) 25 card in Canberra.
For Edwards, a switch to MMA has been on the table for a number of years now telling Fight News Australia 12 months ago his intentions are to take it all the way to the UFC.
I was into MMA before I was into any other fight sport. I used to buy UFC tapes from the back of the health / martial arts shop and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Something about seeing that for the first time was strangely familiar and really hit home with me, I felt so naturally drawn towards it in a way I’ve never been drawn to anything in my life. Unfortunately kickboxing was the only thing available in my city at the time. I’m a natural in the grappling aspect and I can’t wait to put some wins together and march into the UFC.
A three-time world kickboxing champion, former Australian boxing title holder, K1 and Glory veteran, Edwards has a wealth of combat sports experience that he will take into the fight.
The 32 year-old has jumped right into the deep end of the local MMA heavyweight division however. Sosoli, who has faced the likes of Andrew Machin, Felise Leniu and recent UFC signing Tai Tuivasa, has 10 MMA appearances to his name with five of his six victories coming by knockout.
