Leon Edwards’ last loss came at the hands of reigning UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman almost five years ago.
Since losing to Usman in 2015, Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has won eight in a row and is knocking on the door of a title shot. With Edwards on the cusp of 170-pound contention, the title happens to be held by Usman (16-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC), which would give Edwards not only a chance to win gold but a chance to avenge his most recent loss.
The Birmingham resident traveled halfway across the world to famed American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif., for that camp, but the preparation didn’t produce the kind of results he was hoping for. Since then, he has found a recipe for success in his home gym, Team Renegade, and thinks the result would be different if the two were to run things back.
“We’re two different – from back then like five years ago – just two different abilities and what we’ve achieved,” Edwards told MMA Junkie. “I truly believe I’ve got everything I need to beat him. If you watch the first fight, it was 1-1 going into the third round, I think, and he did what he did with the wrestling.
“My preparation for that fight was not how I like to prepare. I went away at AKA, and I did my camp at AKA, and now I’m back in the U.K. working with my team, and I have not lost since. So I truly believe that the fight would be different, and I would get the victory.”
Usman is projected to face Jorge Masvidal next, and both men peak Edwards’ interest as potential next opponents. Edwards had his infamous backstage altercation with Masvidal in London, where he was attacked backstage after the two jawed at each other.
While Edwards has no preference of who wins, he gives the edge to the champion.
“I couldn’t care less who wins,” Edwards said. “Like I said, it’s two good stories between both men, so either way, both fights would sell just as much, but I don’t know who wins. Usman probably – I think Usman is a better all-around martial artist. His striking, wrestling and he can mix it up a little more, good cardio. Masvidal comes out, he’s a good boxer, so I’d probably edge towards Usman on the victory.”
Leon Edwards: 'I've got everything I need to beat' UFC champ Kamaru Usman in rematch