UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards got in a first sparring session for their upcoming rematch at UFC 278, with Usman playfully promising a wrestling match and mocking his U.K. counterpart’s history with common foe Jorge Masvidal.
In a largely friendly pre-fight conversation, Usman raised Edwards’ past to discuss the merits of their respective resumes ahead of the ESPN+ pay per view headliner Aug. in Salt Lake City.
“Listen, I like you,” Usman said. You are my man. I’ve done a lot for you. That man went back there in London, he put his hands on you, and you guys didn’t do nothing, so I had to handle it for you – that’s why I had to knock his head to the moon. He was my gift, and I love him. Thank me.”
” They hid him from us,” Edwards interrupted, explaining the backstory of a shady encounter with Masvidal in which “Gamebred” punched Masvidal at UFC London. 2019. They called the police to hide him. That’s what happened.”
“I bought him for you,” Usman stated. He said, “I love you so I bought him .”
Edwards laughed at the gamemanship between these two professionals in a fun and friendly, though a bit testy meeting. Usman is the No. 1 ranked fighter on the MMA Fighting Global Rankings pound for pound and welterweight lists, Usman gloated over his 2015 victory over Edwards – as well as his outstanding record in octagon knockouts.
“In all honesty, I was drawn to my striking and that is why I’ve had more knockouts at championship fights than Edwards has. Usman stopped four UFC competitors with just his feet while Edwards’ only two were there. “And yes, I fell in love with my striking, but guess what, you fell in love with your grappling. We will be wrestling Aug. 20,
“I remember my first knockout,” Edwards replied. “It’s all good.”
Edwards could not speak to Usman’s performance other than that the champion had defeated a “wounded gazelle”, Tyron Woodley, in order to win the title.
Both fighters acknowledged a more evolved, competitive threat in their counterpart. Edwards mentioned his inexperience at the octagon during their first encounter and stated that he desired the best pound for pound to show his achievement at the top.
Usman said he was “nervous” about the first fight and the rematch, but that didn’t stop him from questioning how Edwards would get it done the second time out.
“You’re not finishing me, bro,” Edwards replied. “You cannot finish me, champ. Trust me. You haven’t got it in you, bro.”
“Give us 30 seconds more in the first fight, and I will have finished you,” Usman replied.
“Ah, shut up,” Edwards cried. “No, you wouldn’t. “No, you wouldn’t.
““Of course,” Usman replied. “You said your striking is much better. Of course I’m going to hold you. You don’t strike me. Your striking is much better. You were held down and beat my face in .”
By combining the present with the past, Usman might be acknowledging that the basic matchup hasn’t changed much since their first encounter – or having some fun at the expense of his opponent. Usman has indeed turned into a knockout artist, stopping top contenders Colby Covington, Gilbert Burns and Masvidal with his fists as champ. But his wrestling is forever a get-out-of-jail-free card.
“You’re going to try and wrestle, bro,” Edwards said. “It ain’t gonna work this time.”
“We’re going to wrestle,” Usman agreed. “Listen, the people all want to know. Let me know if you need any help ?”
Edwards stated that it didn’t matter to him seven years ago when he lost to Usman. He will be bringing a diverse skill set to the rematch. Usman ignored a question regarding moving up in the weight division, despite thinking aloud about it. He said that he will be focusing on Edwards first before considering a new challenge.
Usman has a chance to tie former middleweight champ Anderson Silva’s record-setting winning streak of 16 UFC fights.
” I’m having fun,” he stated. “As long as I keep having fun, the records will write itself. It’s okay to have fun and then I will make the decision when it is time to go. It’s not .”
now.
Edwards is now having more fun.
This website uses cookies.