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The UFC welterweight title is up for grabs this Saturday.
Champion Kamaru Usman returns to the octagon in the main event of UFC 278 in Salt Lake City to take on Leon Edwards in a rematch that took years to build.
The two first fought in December 2015 at UFC on FOX 17. That night in Florida, Usman defeated Edwards to earn a unanimous decision. Now, almost seven years later, they’re challenging him for the belt.
Ahead of their rematch, MMA Junkie asked their UFC welterweight peers how the rematch might play out. Below are their predictions and analysis of the fight.
Vicente Luque
“I have Kamaru as the winner, but either way I think it’s going to be a good fight. Leon is constantly evolving. He is a very tough fighter and he knows how to implement a strategy in a fight. He also has good conditioning. So I don’t think it will be an easy fight, but for me Kamaru remains champion.
Santiago Ponzinibbio
“Everyone always has a chance when you step into the octagon, it’s always there. I think if Leon Edwards fights smart he has the tools to win. He’s a long athlete with good distance, he is southpaw, connects well with his shots and he has a good grappling game I think he has evolved a lot since their first fight Edwards is dangerous he also has knockout power, jiu-jitsu and good fight. He’s a good fighter. I like this fight a lot, but I see Usman as the favorite given the streak he’s in. It’s a good fight.
“I think a decision in favor of Usman.”
Michael Morales
“I don’t think (Edwards has a chance). Usman has too much power. in his hands, his feet, his wrestling, and he worked very hard. I’ve been following his game closely. I think he’s going to defend his title with a lot of motivation, and it’s his fight to lose. He just needs not to get frustrated like he did in the first fight against Masvidal, he got a little frustrated. But I think this title fight is in his favor.
