Kamaru Usman seeking redemption against Leon Edwards at UFC 286
- Doug Mattushek
- 15 March 2023
Kamaru Usman is seeking payback when he faces UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 286 in London this Saturday.
The former welterweight king was on an incredible 19-win streak when he faced Edwards a UFC 278 in August. Having dominated the fight and being deep into the final round, Usman was on the cusp of a sixth title defence.
But Edwards was not done, firing a powerful left high kick that found its mark, sending Usman to the shadow realm, shocking the world and grabbing the belt.
Now tied 1-1 in their head-to-head, Usman hasn't forgotten that he's dominated most of the eight rounds they've been together in the cage.
"I've never been in this position, but I know that mentally, nothing has changed for me," the Nigerian-born fighter told The Pivot Podcast.
"This is the same guy that I beat up before. He's still going to be the same guy. I have to remind him who he is right away. When I fight guys, I fight their heart because I want to break their heart. I want to break their spirit and break their soul.
"It's going to be a little bit more difficult [for Edwards] this time. In his head, he forgot about the four rounds before the kick. He forgot that I was taking his soul, so I have to remind him that I'm someone who took his soul twice."
The last time Usman stepped in the octagon off the back of loss was nearly a decade ago, December 2013, to be precise.
Reflecting on the moment that cost him his championship last August, Usman gave credit where it was due.
"The kick was the only weapon he used that worked," he recalled.
"It was just a good kick. It was something that I knew that I didn't do a good job, or I didn't do as well as I should have to stop it. But it was just a beautiful kick. Hat's off to him."
Usman and Edwards headline UFC 286 along with lightweight bangers Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev at the O2 in London on Saturday.
