Kamaru Usman's decision to "fight the same guy who just knocked him out" won't end well, says Leon Edwards
At UFC 278, Leon Edwards pulled off perhaps the biggest MMA upset of 2022 when he knocked out former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the dying seconds of the last round.
Interestingly, Usman was ahead on the scorecards when he fell prey to the unexpected knockout, begging the question of whether or not he could win the title back if given a second chance.
KNOCK OUT!!!
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Wonder no more, as the duo are set to have a rematch at the upcoming UFC 286 event on March 18 in London. The Brit believes that 'The Nigerian Nightmare's' decision to immediately rematch him might not end well for Usman.
During a recent interview with BT Sport, Edwards spoke about the fight and proclaimed that he doesn't see Kamaru Usman changing his game plan drastically or getting his hand raised:
"Right, for him, the fight was going his way... I can't see him in the space of five-six months now being a totally different fighter, I just can't see it happening... A knockout affects everyone differently. He's right now 35-36 years old, coming off a knockout and fighting the same guy [who] just knocked him out, so let's see how he comes back and how he reacts."
He added:
"This will be his first time actually fighting in someone's backyard. This is my home town. I've never lost in the UK. I use the crowd as energy. I just can't see how he goes out there and defeats me, you know."
Catch Leon Edwards' comments below:
Leon Edwards on his game plan for the Kamaru Usman rematch
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards plans to feed off the home crowd in London and the confidence from his knockout against Kamaru Usman last year coming into UFC 286.
In a recent appearance on the Capital XTRA podcast, 'Rocky' laid out how he plans to approach his rematch against the former champion:
"Just continue where I left off in the fifth round. I'm taking the confidence from knocking him out in the fifth round going into the fight. This is our third time fighting, so we both know each other's skill set and what we've got to offer."
He added:
"So just using the energy from being in the UK. It's my first headline back home now for like years... Just bouncing off the crowd and using that to gain victory."
Leon Edwards holds a pro record of 20-3 and currently enjoys an 11-fight undefeated streak in the UFC. Interestingly, 'Rocky's' last loss came against 'The Nigerian Nightmare' in 2015. Both men currently hold one win against the other.
Catch Leon Edwards' comments below: