UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3

UFC 286: Edwards vs Usman III is set to be a historic event in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). The O2 Arena in London, England, will be buzzing with excitement as fans from all over the world come to witness two of the top welterweights in the world face off for the third time.

In the following sections, I will provide a detailed preview of each fighter, looking at their past performances, notable skills, and potential game plans for the upcoming bout. Based on this analysis, I will then make a final prediction on the likely outcome of the fight. So buckle up and get ready for a detailed breakdown of what could be one of the most exhilarating fights of the year.

Leon Edwards

Leon "Rocky" Edwards is a British MMA fighter who has been competing in the UFC since 2014. He has an impressive record of 20-3-0 (1 NC) and is currently ranked as the number three welterweight in the world. He grew up in a tough neighborhood in Birmingham and began training in MMA at the age of 16 to stay out of trouble. Edwards has since become one of the best fighters in the world and a role model for aspiring MMA fighters.

Edwards made his professional MMA debut in 2011 and quickly made a name for himself in the UK regional circuit. He won his first nine fights, including a submission win over UFC veteran John Maguire, before signing with the UFC in 2014. In his UFC debut, Edwards defeated Seth Baczynski by first-round knockout, earning him a Performance of the Night bonus. He then went on to win his next four fights, including wins over veterans like Albert Tumenov and Bryan Barberena.

In 2018, Edwards suffered a setback when he lost a split decision to fellow welterweight contender Kamaru Usman. Despite the loss, Edwards bounced back with wins over Donald Cerrone and Gunnar Nelson, solidifying his position as one of the top welterweights in the world.

In 2019, Edwards was scheduled to fight former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, but the fight fell through due to visa issues. He was then scheduled to fight Tyron Woodley in March 2020, but the fight was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Edwards finally returned to the octagon in December 2020, where he faced rising contender Belal Muhammad. However, the fight ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke by Edwards in the second round.

In his most recent fight, Edwards faced Kamaru Usman in a rematch. This time, Edwards dominated the fight, keeping the fight standing and landing a spectacular head kick that knocked Usman out in the fifth round. The win earned Edwards a Performance of the Night bonus and solidified his position as a top contender in the welterweight division.

One of Edwards' biggest strengths is his striking ability. He has a long reach and throws sharp jabs and straight punches with precision. He also has excellent footwork and can move in and out of range quickly, making it difficult for his opponents to land shots on him.

In addition to his striking, Edwards also has a solid ground game. He has an average of 1.39 takedowns landed per 15 minutes and a takedown defense of 68%. This allows him to control the pace of the fight and dictate where the fight takes place.

Another strength of Edwards is his ability to adapt to different fighting styles. He is a well-rounded fighter who can adjust his game plan to suit his opponent's strengths and weaknesses. This is a key attribute in MMA, where fighters need to be versatile to succeed.

In terms of weaknesses, Edwards has been known to start slow in fights. He can take a while to find his range and get comfortable in the octagon. This can be a problem against top-level competition, who can take advantage of his slow start and build an early lead.

Overall, Leon Edwards is one of the best fighters in the world and a top contender in the welterweight division. He has an impressive record and a well-rounded skill set that makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division. His striking ability, solid ground game, and ability to adapt to different fighting styles make him a formidable opponent for Kamaru Usman in their upcoming fight at UFC 286.

Kamaru Usman

Usman was a standout wrestler in high school and went on to compete at the collegiate level at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Usman made his professional MMA debut in 2012 and quickly established himself as a rising star in the sport. He won his first five fights, including wins over experienced veterans like Hayder Hassan and Leon Edwards.

In 2015, Usman signed with the UFC and made his debut against Leon Edwards. Usman dominated the fight, winning by unanimous decision and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

Usman went on to win his next nine fights, including wins over top welterweight contenders like Demian Maia and Rafael dos Anjos. He then faced Tyron Woodley for the UFC welterweight championship in March 2019 and dominated the fight, winning by unanimous decision and becoming the new champion.

In his most recent fights, Usman has had two dominant victories. He defeated Gilbert Burns by knockout in the third round, and then defeated Colby Covington by unanimous decision in their highly anticipated rematch.

One of Usman's biggest strengths is his wrestling ability. He has an average of 3.01 takedowns landed per 15 minutes with a takedown accuracy of 48%. He is also known for his relentless pressure and ability to wear down his opponents over time.

In addition to his wrestling, Usman is also an excellent striker. He has a significant strike accuracy of 53% and a significant strike defense of 57%. He has knockout power in his hands and is not afraid to stand and trade with his opponents.

One of Usman's weaknesses is his striking defense. Although he has a significant strike defense of 57%, he has been hit with big shots in the past. In his fight against Jorge Masvidal, he was rocked by a flying knee in the first round, although he was able to recover and win the fight by unanimous decision.

Another weakness of Usman is his tendency to rely too heavily on his wrestling. While his wrestling is undoubtedly his biggest strength, he can sometimes be too predictable in his game plan and become too reliant on taking his opponents down.

Overall, Kamaru Usman is one of the best fighters in the world and the current UFC welterweight champion. His wrestling ability and striking power make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division. While he has some weaknesses, he has shown that he can overcome them and dominate his opponents with his relentless pressure and well-rounded skill set.

Prediction

The upcoming fight between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman will be their third meeting, with both fighters holding a victory over the other. In their first meeting in 2015, Usman defeated Edwards by unanimous decision. However, in their second meeting in 2022, Edwards was able to dominate Usman and win by knockout in the fifth round.

The second fight between Edwards and Usman was a closely contested battle until the fifth round, where Edwards was able to land a spectacular head kick that knocked Usman out. This victory was a significant moment for Edwards and showed that he has the ability to beat Usman.

In their upcoming fight, Edwards will be looking to build on his previous victory and prove that it was not a fluke. He will need to use his striking ability effectively and avoid Usman's wrestling to keep the fight standing. If he can do this, he will have a good chance of winning the fight.

On the other hand, Usman will be looking to avenge his loss and prove that he is still the best welterweight in the world. He will likely try to take Edwards down and control him on the ground, where he has a significant advantage.

Despite Usman's wrestling ability, I predict that Edwards will win the fight by unanimous decision. His striking ability and takedown defense will be the key factors in his victory, and he will once again prove himself to be one of the best fighters in the world.

Edwards has shown that he has the ability to beat Usman and that he can defend against his dominant wrestling. His striking ability is among the best in the division, and he has the footwork and agility to avoid Usman's takedowns. If he can keep the fight standing, he will be able to use his striking to wear down Usman and win the fight.

The third fight between Edwards and Usman promises to be an exciting and highly competitive battle between two of the best welterweights in the world. While Usman will likely try to take the fight to the ground, I predict that Edwards will be able to defend against his takedowns and use his striking to win the fight.

Pick: Leon Edwards ML +200

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