A lot 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 could go down as one of the best welterweights of all time, earning a place alongside Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre.
Last August, Edwards (20-3-1 no contest) pulled off one of the best head-kick knockouts in mixed martial arts history against Usman to become the first Jamaican-born champion.
At the time, the favored Usman (20-2) was on a 19-fight unbeaten streak that included title defense wins over Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns.
Edwards, who’s an underdog again, aims to prove that his upset win last August was no fluke.
“I know I can take him down, I know I can knock him out, I know I can hit him,” Edwards said on “UFC 286 Countdown.” “I’m going in there to outclass him, outmaster him and show the world that I am the new dog in the block.”
Usman, a 35-year-old future UFC Hall of Famer, wants to prevent history from repeating itself.
“There’s no such thing as a mistake. [The head kick] was a learning experience, an oversight by myself, but we correct that, we get back on the horse and do what greatness requires,” Usman said at a news conference Thursday.
The task won’t be easy for Edwards, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, but he doesn’t lack confidence.
“Saturday night, I’m going out there to show off, show out. I truly believe that this is my time,” Edwards said. “I know [Usman’s] a good fighter, but I truly believe I am better.”
The trilogy stands at 1-1. Edwards, who fights out of Birmingham, England, will have home advantage Saturday at the 02 Arena.
