On the BYM Podcast this week, Leon Edwards told Michael Bisping that ‘the fight is on’ with Kamaru Usman at UFC 286. A head kick heard around the world landed Edwards the UFC welterweight title last August. Despite Edwards’ strong first round and the last-minute knockout, many fans are calling for a rematch due to Usman’s dominance. Lately, rumours have circulated that Usman may not fight after photos of him in a hand brace. Causing doubt as to whether the fight will happen in March at UFC 286.
Leon Edwards gave fans an update on the situation:
“Yeah, 100 percent, that’s what I’ve been told, that’s what my team has been told,” the champion stated on Bispings Podcast “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 aiming towards that, and if anything changes in the meantime, we’ll go from there. But now I’m focused on the trilogy with Usman in London.”
“I just want to see how he reacts to getting knocked out cold, and see how he reacts traveling to the U.K., seeing how crazy the fans are and just see how he comes back because he’s not getting no younger,” Edwards said. “He’s, what, 35, 36? Maybe older? Let’s see how he comes back.
Quotes via Believe You Me Podcast
Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman: The Grudge Match at UFC 286
The champ goes on to state that the altitude also played a part in his performance, causing him to gas out. Despite most saying Edwards gassed out in the 2nd-4th rounds, he claims that his body just wasn’t reacting to what he wanted to do. Being that UFC 286 is a home advantage and sea level Edwards feels he’s got the advantage. Usman has never been knockout before, so who knows how his chin will be. Usman hasn’t been the challenger in years either, and waiting in an octagon for another man is a different experience Edwards and Bisping both believe may affect how he’ll perform.
March 18th is ten weeks away, and fans are getting worried about whether Edwards vs Usman will happen after all. A Nigerian fight promotion has Usman in the cage promoting the fight, but eager-eyed fans noticed a hand brace on Usman’s hand. Usman was dealing with a hand injury leading up to the rematch with Edwards last August. He ended up having hand surgery in February 2022.
Usman’s manager spoke out on Twitter, calming that Usman’s next fight would be with Edwards. Usman’s manager’s statement at first sounds reassuring, but if you read into that further, he does not specify if that’s in March or not, just that Usman will fight Edwards. Without a doubt, in my mind, the UFC won’t disappoint, so let’s hope for the rematch, but if not, a few contenders could be a good match-up.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
