Michael Bisping explains why he wouldn't be "surprised" if Leon Edwards pulls off a win in trilogy fight against Kamaru Usman
Michael Bisping has backed Leon Edwards to retain the welterweight title when he steps into the octagon with Kamaru Usman for their trilogy bout next year.
'Rocky' stunned the world at UFC 278 after landing a head kick KO on 'The Nigerian Nightmare' deep into the fifth round. Edwards was headed towards a unanimous decision loss before clutching the victory with just a minute remaining on the clock.
The kick from Leon Edwards that ended it all. He knocked out Usman.
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In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Michael Bisping previewed the upcoming trilogy bout. According to 'The Count', it's not how fighters start fights, it's how they finish them. With that in mind, the UFC Hall of Famer has backed Edwards in the rematch:
"It doesn't matter how you start, it's how you finish. Usman was doing well but Leon Edwards never gave up on himself. I think that's going to give him even more confidence going into the third fight."
He added:
"He's also going to know what he needs to work on and stop the takedowns being son affective for Usman. He's got to do a lot of wrestling for this one but it wouldn't surprise me if Edwards pulls it off again."
Edwards vs. Usman 3 is expected to headline a PPV early next year in the UK. Although there has been no official date, Dana White has also confirmed that he's working on booking Khamzat Chimaev vs. Colby Covington as the co-main event.
Catch Michael Bisping's comments here:
Kamaru Usman suggests he has more fans in the UK than Leon Edwards
Most fans would have certainly understood a fighter stepping away from the limelight after such a shocking loss. However, Kamaru Usman has instead used the time to reaffirm his desire to once again become the welterweight champion.
With the trilogy bout set to take place on UK soil, Usman believes it'll be as much of a home advantage for him as it will be for Leon Edwards. In an interview with TMZ Sports, 'The Nigerian Nightmare' even added that he may have more fans in England than 'Rocky':
"Yeah, I'd go grab that [welterweight title] back probably top of next year. I think we'll make that happen. Of course, like I said that night after it happened, I would love to got to England and do this in England."
Usman added:
"I got a lot of fans in England. A lot of my African and a lot of my Jamaican fans in England. I think I have more fans in there than he will."
Catch Kamaru Usman discussing the trilogy with Leon Edwards here: