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Leon Edwards claims KO loss will haunt Kamaru Usman ahead of UFC 286: ‘I just can’t see how he defeats me’

Undisputed UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards has claimed that he still cannot imagine a scenario in where former division kingpin, Kamaru Usman reclaims his championship at UFC 286 next weekend in England – explaining how his August knockout loss will play heavy on his mind. Headlining UFC 286 next weekend at The O2 Arena in […]

Headlining UFC 286 next weekend at The O2 Arena in London, England, Team Renegade BJJ & MMA mainstay, Edwards struck gold back in August of last year in Salt Lake City, Utah – snatching the undisputed welterweight crown with a stunning rallying finish.

Taking main event honors in his Utah rematch with Usman, Edwards was conceivably down on all three judge’s scorecards approaching the end of the fifth round, before springing with a spectacular left high-kick knockout in the final minute, dropping and stopping Auchi native, Usman with a brutal stoppage.

Leon Edwards supremely confident ahead of first title defense against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 next weekend

Now slated to headline on home soil for the first time in his lengthy Octagon tenure next weekend in the capital, Birmingham native, Edwards has echoed claims that he simply cannot imagine a scenario where Usman puts knockout woes behind him and defeats him next week.

“Right now, he’s (Kamaru Usman) 35, 36 years old, coming off a knockout and fighting the same guy that just knocked him out,” Leon Edwards told BT Sport during filming as part of his training camp for UFC 286. “So, let’s see how he comes back and how he reacts.”

“I just can’t see how he goes out there and defeats me [at UFC 286],” Leon Edwards explained.

Prior to his championship win over Usman back in August of last year, Edwards had landed a unanimous decision victory over former UFC lightweight title challenger and welterweight contender, Nate Diaz in Glendale, Arizona — continuing his stunning division winning streak.

Marvin Vettori: Roman Dolidze ‘Biting Off More Than He Can Chew’ At UFC 286

UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori believes he represents too steep a step up in competition for upcoming opponent Roman Dolidze. Having failed in his first attempt at having gold wrapped around his waist inside the Octagon, Vettori is on the pa…

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UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 Full Main Card Revealed

The UFC is back in London with just their second pay-per-view event, and UFC 286 is coming together nicely. With UFC 285 in the books, fans are already forced to look ahead at the second pay-per-view of the month, as UFC 286 is set to take place at The…

Continue Reading UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 Full Main Card Revealed at MMA News.

Exclusive | Undefeated Lerone Murphy details dream UFC fight and previews UFC 286: “That’s the biggest fight in the world.”

With UFC 286 just over two weeks away, featherweight prospect Lerone Murphy is ready to go, but he still hasn’t found an opponent willing to step up. After a substantial time away from the octagon, it seemed as though Murphy’s return to home soil was confirmed against his English counterpart Nathaniel Wood. Although with a […]

With UFC 286 just over two weeks away, featherweight prospect Lerone Murphy is ready to go, but he still hasn’t found an opponent willing to step up.

After a substantial time away from the octagon, it seemed as though Murphy’s return to home soil was confirmed against his English counterpart Nathaniel Wood.

Although with a month to spare, Nathaniel Wood disappointingly announced that he had to pull out from the fight due to a sliced knee he suffered in training. Wood described it as a “freak accident” during wrestling practice, and says that movement in his knee is severely limited until his stitches are removed.

Based on Murphy’s recent tweet, he may not see it the same way Wood does.

Just for the record I entered my debut on a grade 2 mcl tear on 3 weeks notice. Same with my second bout against ramos, I even had a elbow tear in that one too. If I sign up I make it, unless I’m bed bound.

— LERONE MURPHY (@LeroneMurphy) March 1, 2023

Murphy’s last fight came in October of 2021, when he managed to knock out the highly experienced Makwan Amirkhani in the second round. He currently holds an 11-0-1 record featuring seven knockouts, with six of them coming in the very first round.

Lerone Murphy LowKickMMA Exclusive

Speaking in a recent interview with LowKickMMA’s Tim Wheaton, Murphy says he feels like he’s in ideal shape and on schedule with his weight cut.

Without any limitations on who he may stand across come March 18, Murphy says if it was up to him the obvious answer would be Conor McGregor. He praised McGregor’s legacy in the UFC and says he began watching the UFC during McGregor’s early featherweight dominance to stardom, stating:

“That’s the biggest fight in the world. Everyone knows that, no one needs to shy away from it.”

Murphy also previewed the exciting trilogy headlining the O2 arena for UFC 286 and backed his fellow countryman Leon Edwards to conclude his business with Kamaru Usman and come out with a victory. He believes that after the incredible run Usman managed at welterweight, running into the catastrophe that occurred in the final round against Edwards will determine his future.

“You’re not gonna come back the same fighter.”

He attributes his prediction to the massive advantage he could have in his home nation, and the elimination of the high altitude which Murphy believes may have gassed Edwards out in their previous matchup.

Murphy also believes that Usman should’ve taken at least one year off to recover from the shocking knockout at UFC 278.

Looking back at his own career, Murphy does not care who the UFC offers him, as long as he finds an opponent.

He rates himself highly among his featherweight company, and if he manages to find an opponent and convincing win on March 18, then he may very well find himself ranked among the top 15.

Murphy understands he is still human and has questioned himself just days away from fights before.

“Why did I pick this life?”

He has kept his head up despite the missing opponent he’s been looking for, and has kept a positive mindset by training as if his matchup was confirmed.

“With preparation comes confidence.”

Will someone step up in time to face Lerone Murphy?

Justin Gaethje is going into UFC 286 fight against Rafael Fiziev with ‘a lot of haters to shut up’

Justin Gaethje has something to prove in his return to the Octagon. ‘The Highlight’ heads to London for a co-main event showdown with rising lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 on March 18. It’s been nearly a year since Gaethje suffered a first-round submission loss to then-lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. With it being his […]

Justin Gaethje has something to prove in his return to the Octagon.

‘The Highlight’ heads to London for a co-main event showdown with rising lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 on March 18. It’s been nearly a year since Gaethje suffered a first-round submission loss to then-lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. With it being his second failed attempt to capture UFC gold, Gaethje is eager to quiet his detractors and reward his supporters with a return to the win column.

Documenting his march to London in a video series on YouTube, Justin Gaethje briefly revealed that going into a fight after a loss is understandably difficult, but he’s determined to hush the haters that believe he’ll be nothing more than a gatekeeper for the division.

“Coming off a loss is always a little different to coming off a win, especially after a loss in a championship fight,” Gaethje said. “Lot to prove. There’s a lot of haters to shut up and a lot of believers to prove right. So it’s a fun ride, man, it’s been a fun ride since day one.”

With losses against both Charles Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov in UFC title fights, it’s clear that Justin Gaethje’s Achilles heel is his wrestling. Fortunately, ‘The Highlight’ won’t have to worry much about that as his next opponent, Rafael Fiziev, has established himself as one of the division’s top strikers. Going 6-1 inside the Octagon, Fiziev has earned knockouts in 50% of those victories guaranteeing that fans will see fireworks when the two top lightweights square off in ‘The Big Smoke’ on March 18.

Debuting for the promotion in 2017, Justin Gaethje has gone 6-4 inside the Octagon. Prior to that, he earned 10 straight victories including an impressive run as the World Series of Fighting lightweight champion. He defended the title five times before signing with the UFC. In 2020, ‘The Highlight’ captured the UFC interim lightweight title, defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. He came up short in a title unification bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov five months later.

Justin Gaethje Believes He Has “A Lot To Prove” In Return At UFC 286

Justin Gaethje believes he has a number of “haters” to silence when he returns to action later this month. The former interim UFC lightweight champion is set to cross the pond to feature at the first UK-held pay-per-view event since 2016 on…

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