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Leon Edwards could formally be UFC champion, however Kamaru Usman says Rocky is aware of who’s actually the very best 170 lb. fighter, and it isn’t him … it is “The Nigerian Nightmare.”
35-year-old Usman joined Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV present (airs weeknights on FS1) … simply days earlier than his highly-anticipated rematch in London towards 31-year-old Edwards.
“At the end of the day when you are at home and you look at yourself in the mirror, you know who you are, you know if you’re the best and you know if you’re not the best,” Usman stated.
“There’s nothing that he can tell himself that ‘I’m the best’ because you haven’t proven that. Of course, you threw the Hail Mary and it landed and you have that belt but deep down inside, he knows what I’ve done to his heart and this Saturday, I’m gonna remind him.”
Of course, Edwards was dominated for many of their UFC 278 in August 2022 … and went into the fifth and ultimate spherical needing a knockout to win the belt. In gorgeous trend, Leon landed a superbly positioned/timed left spherical kick to Kamaru’s head with simply over one minute left within the struggle, ending the most effective title runs in welterweight historical past.
We requested Usman if he deliberate to method the struggle in a different way … maybe utilizing his wrestling extra as a method to mitigate Edwards’ placing means.
“[Leon] has no answer for what I bring to the table as a mixed martial artist. Why change anything?” Kamaru responded.
“Of course, be mindful and keep your damn hands up so you don’t get kicked in the head again but at the same time, I believe I’m the better mixed martial artist and this Saturday I can’t wait to prove it again to the world!”
Kamaru and Leon are tangled up at one win a chunk. The winner of Saturday’s struggle not solely wins the trilogy however will depart the welterweight champ.
“I think the world knows who the better mixed martial artist is, and I can’t wait to go in there and prove that on Saturday.”
UFC 286 goes down from London’s O2 Arena — in Edwards’ yard — Saturday afternoon!
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We additionally talked to former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou about his good pal Kamaru’s upcoming title struggle, and whereas The Predator has respect for Leon, there is not any doubt about who he is pulling for at UFC 286.