So much is at stake for welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 286 on Saturday in London.
With a second straight win over former titleholder Kamaru Usman, Edwards may go down as probably the greatest welterweights of all time, incomes a spot alongside Corridor of Famer Georges St-Pierre.
Final August, Edwards (20-3-1 no contest) pulled off probably the greatest head-kick knockouts in blended martial arts historical past in opposition to Usman to change into the primary Jamaican-born champion.
On the time, the favored Usman (20-2) was on a 19-fight unbeaten streak that included title protection wins over Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns.
Edwards, who’s an underdog once more, goals to show that his upset win final August was no fluke.
“I do know I can take him down, I do know I can knock him out, I do know I can hit him,” Edwards mentioned on “UFC 286 Countdown.” “I’m entering into there to outclass him, outmaster him and present the world that I’m the brand new canine within the block.”
Usman, a 35-year-old future UFC Corridor of Famer, desires to forestall historical past from repeating itself.
“There’s no such factor as a mistake. [The head kick] was a studying expertise, an oversight on my own, however we right that, we get again on the horse and do what greatness requires,” Usman mentioned at a information convention Thursday.
The duty received’t be simple for Edwards, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, however he doesn’t lack confidence.
“Saturday night time, I’m going on the market to indicate off, present out. I really imagine that that is my time,” Edwards mentioned. “I do know [Usman’s] an excellent fighter, however I really imagine I’m higher.”
The trilogy stands at 1-1. Edwards, who fights out of Birmingham, England, can have residence benefit Saturday on the 02 Area.
