“I’m SCARED of Leon Edwards,” says Kamaru Usman ahead of UFC 278, revealing what makes him better than the Brit
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Kamaru Usman vs Leon Edwards I
As great of a fighter Kamaru Usman is, so transparent he is with his mentality as a human being. Usman is the reigning defending UFC welterweight champion with the third most championship victories in UFC welterweight history, the second longest UFC winning streak in history after Anderson Silva and a 100% takedown defence rate. Usman is also sitting #1 in the UFC’s official pound-for-pound rankings. Usman’s wins include the likes of Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, Sean Strickland, Gilbert Burns, Rafael Dos Anjos, Tyron Woodley and many more.
Usman is now heading for his sixth UFC title defence when he will face Edwards in a rematch at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. These 2 fought for the first time as young upcoming prospects 7 years ago in 2015. Ever since losing to Usman, Edwards has been undefeated since then and has wins over the likes of Nate Diaz, Donald Cerrone, Gunnar Nelson, Vicente Luque, Rafael Dos Anjos and many more.
Kamaru Usman accepts that Leon Edwards’ jab-cross combinations are better than him
In an interview with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, Usman talks about his rematch against Leon Edwards, how his wrestling is still an advantage despite Edwards’ improvement, his legacy as a potentially greatest fighter of all time and much more. In the midst of all, Usman makes an honest confession heading into his sixth title defence against Edwards this weekend.
“Every day, I am still scared, I am scared of Leon right now,” says Usman. “I’m not gonna lie to you, I am worried about Leon, I am worried. His 1-2 [jab-cross] is more fluid than mine, slicker than mine, might be a little bit faster than mine, you know. But one thing I gotta remind myself is that when he throws his 1-2 it looks slicker, nicer, but when I throw my 1-2, they go to sleep…” concluding Usman.
What do you make of Usman’s acceptance of fear with simultaneous confidence that he will defeat Edwards for the second time as well? Who do you think wins? Where do you put Usman amongst the greatest UFC fighters of all time? Do you think Usman has surpassed the legacy of the great Georges St-Pierre in terms of being the greatest welterweight fighter of all time? Do you think Usman is the greatest African mixed-martial artist?
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Abhai Singh Tanwar
(1386 Articles Published)