Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman will complete their trilogy in London this weekend.
‘Rocky’ knocked out Usman in sensational fashion to claim the welterweight title at UFC 278 in August 2022 after a unanimous decision loss to ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ in 2015.
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Edwards won his title by knocking out Usman at UFC 278
Now they will settle the score once and for all at UFC 286 which takes place on Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd.
Here talkSPORT takes a look at who the MMA world is planning to win on Saturday night.
KSI – YouTuber and boxer
“Obviously Usman was winning pretty much the whole fight and then Leon Edwards [hit him] with that amazing kick,” KSI told the UFC.
“The front speech was also phenomenal, but I went back and forth, man. I spoke to guys at [London] Shootfighters on who I think will win.
“People say Usman, a lot of people say Leon is just going to get off with smoke because he now believes in his own source.
“I think because it’s in England, my home, the crowd is going to be crazy, I think it’s going to be Leon. I think Leon Edwards is going to win.
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KSI thinks Edwards will defend his belt at UFC 286
Justin Gaethje – Former UFC interim lightweight champion
“They’ve been there for 39 minutes and he [Usman] dominated 37 of those minutes,” Gaethje told MMA Fighting.
“He was taken down in the first round of the last fight for about two minutes. Apart from that he has been the dominant force and I expect the same from him.
Jamahal Hill – UFC light-heavyweight champion
“Grappling and things like that are a huge plus for Kamaru but I just think Leon is just more complete, a better, complete fighter,” Hill told James Lynch.
“He just has that timing and knows what to do. Now that he has that timing, I might see Leon win again but I’ll go with Kamaru.
Tom Aspinall – UFC heavyweight contender
“I think Leon can beat him. I really think Leon can beat him. He did it once; he can do it again,” Aspinall told talkSPORT.
“From what he said in interviews, I think the altitude affected him a lot. [at UFC 278]. You know, he did very well in the first round of the last fight. He did amazing in the first round, so more of that.
“I think he has his number. [I’m] very interested to see how someone like Usman comes back after being knocked out like that. Especially with the home advantage as well, I think Leon takes that one.
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Tom Aspinall is one of Britain’s biggest MMA stars
Modestas Bukauskas – UFC light-heavyweight prospect
“The first time around we have to consider the altitude because Edwards was at a disadvantage, and he still managed to get it out of the bag in the last run,” Bukauskas said in an interview with talkSPORT.
“Usman had been training regularly at altitude. Leon, in the first round, looked amazing and he got the takedown and stuff like that.
“So I have to go with my man, Edwards. I think he will keep his belt. He is very skilled and now he fights in his backyard and without the altitude shift.
Arnold Allen – UFC featherweight contender
“I think Leon is going to win and he’s going to look good doing it,” Allen said while chatting with talkSPORT.
“You know, he had a good first lap in the last one. I think the altitude played into the fatigue and all that.
“I’ve been in the gym with him, seen the work he’s done and wasn’t surprised when he had a good lap and scored the out. I think a lot of people were surprised.
“Also, Usman’s confidence. Going from being number one pound for pound to getting knocked out like he did – that must shake your confidence, whoever you are.
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Ian Garry – UFC welterweight prospect
“I think a lot of people don’t understand what’s going to go through Leon’s head – that’s the biggest factor in this fight,” Garry told talkSPORT.
“Lost the first fight to Usman, goes against Usman for the world title to try and get that win back, tops him in the first round, then gets topped for the next three rounds and pulls maybe the best knockout we’ve seen in a UFC title fight ever.
“How do you think this will affect his confidence? This guy is now world champion, he’s fighting at home against the guy who was the former number one pound for pound, the guy he just knocked unconscious.
“As long as Leon keeps that confidence in his head knowing he’s done it once and will do it again and all he has to do is find that shot, I think Leon wins. “
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Phil De Fries – KSW Heavyweight Champion
“If anyone fights better this time it will be Leon,” predicted De Fries during an interview with talkSPORT.
“You know, confidence, he feels good and will be at home. I mean, Usman might be the greatest welterweight of all time – you can never count that guy – but I support ‘Rocky’.
Dan Hardy – Former UFC title challenger
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“I’m not going to look for him yet. I said Usman was going to beat him last time out,” Hardy told talkSPORT.
“I don’t think I’ve seen him since, he’ll probably slap me when I see him. I can’t go against him anymore the way he rallied last time and the other thing I have to keep in mind is he didn’t look at himself during this last Stand.
“He seemed to start to falter very quickly and I know he’s in great physical condition. I trained in Salt Lake [City]. I have to consider that the altitude was part of it.
“I mean, they’re right next to The [River] Thames this time and there’s no altitude involved – Usman is going to have to work very hard to make him as tired as last time.
“So I think there’s an advantage there as well. I’m picking Leon. I don’t need to be impartial anymore for UFC fights. So I’d like to see him do that.
