Leon Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman with a head kick in the main event of UFC 278 to win the UFC welterweight title, and in a recent interview with Michael Bisping, Edwards confirmed that he will face Usman again at UFC 286 on March 18, 2023, at The O2 Arena in London.
“Yeah, 100 percent [I’m fighting Usman at UFC 286]. That’s what I’ve been told. Me and my team spoke to the UFC last week, and they said the fight is on.
Rumors surrounding Kamaru Usman's hand injury seem to be true as he was spotted on Saturday with a hand wrap. This is pretty concerning considering we are only 10 weeks out from #ufc286, the London PPV event. #ufc #mma pic.twitter.com/5F27hue46W
— Prestige Combat (@prestigecombat) January 2, 2023
It was rumored that the Nigerian Nightmare was suffering from a hand injury, and he was seen hand wrapped, but after Edwards’ confirmation, the trilogy bout is on, as Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed it too, and Rocky is fully focused on the upcoming bout.
“It’s all the training for the fight, so I was like, ‘Perfect.’ I’m aiming toward that, and if something changes in the meantime, then we’ll go from there. But now I’m focused on that trilogy against Usman in London.”
Edwards also added that this time the Nigerian would be a different fighter in the octagon as he will be focusing on regaining the title but the British fighter never lost at home and is currently practicing so hard that he is confident about retaining his title.
“He’ll [Usman] be a totally different fighter—I’ve said it, and my coaches have said it. I knew going into the fight that altitude was going to play a part, but I didn’t know it was going to be that big of a part. I think now, I’ve never lost in the U.K. – amateur or pro. So I’m excited to fight in front of my friends and family. I think it’s going to be a totally different fight. I think if he goes in there thinking it’s going to be the same fight, he’s in for a rude awakening.”
Before their fight at UFC 286, these two had faced each other twice and both had won once.
