Leon Edwards is preparing to fight Kamaru Usman in London.
While rumors have circulated that a hand injury will postpone Usman’s return to the octagon, Edwards — the current 170-pound champ — revealed this week that the UFC has told him their trilogy fight will take place at UFC 286 on March 18 in London.
“Yeah 100%, that’s all I have been told and that is what my team was told,” Edwards said to Michael Bisping in Believe Me . “I spoke to the UFC last week, I think, and they said, ‘The fight’s on, he’s already training for the fight.’
” I am working towards this goal, and will update you if necessary. Now, I am focusing on the Trilogy with Usman in London .”
Edwards lost a narrow decision in August’s UFC 278 main event to Usman. He was just a few minutes away from defeating Usman for his first fight for the welterweight title. Then, he stunned Usman with a fifth-round head kick that rendered him unconscious and clinched the championship.
Edwards will have the home-field advantage in London this time. “Rocky” wonders how Usman can adapt to such an atmosphere, after their last encounter.
” I just want to watch how he responds when he gets knocked out, how he handles traveling to the U.K. to witness the crazy fans, and how he returns home because he isn’t getting any younger,” Edwards stated. “He’s, what, 35, 36? Maybe older? Let’s see how he comes back.
“It’ll be a totally different fight — I’ve said it, my coaches have said it. So excited to be fighting in this fight. I have never been defeated by a pro or amateur fighter here. It’s a great experience to fight in front of family and friends. If he thinks he’s going in there and it’s going to be the same fight, he’s in for a rude awakening.”
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/1/13/23553685/leon-edwards-ufc-told-me-the-fights-on-with-kamaru-usman-at-ufc-286-in-london?rand=96749
