It was billed as the highlight of UFC 286 and Edwards vs Usman 3 didn’t disappoint. With the organization’s welterweight title on the line, champion Leon Edwards was expecting a tough challenge from Kamaru Usman, who came into the bout with an exceptional record.
The capacity crowd at the 02 Arena in London were not disappointed, but how did Edwards deal with his opponent, and what comes next for these two impressive fighters?
Champion Backed
As the defending champion, Leon Edwards started as the favorite in MMA onlinebettingmarkets in the lead up to the fight. The tale of the tape, however, suggested that it would be close.
Both men looked evenly matched with similar records and few fight fans were surprised when the bout went all the way. Edwards v Usman 3 lasted the distance, and it needed a majority decision to hand the contest to the defending champion.
Edwards retains his belt, but he was pushed to the wire by his opponent, and the scoring reflects that. It was a majority, rather than a unanimous decision, with one judge recording a 47-47 draw. It leaves questions regarding a further contest between these two men, but how did Edwards handle the challenge as he squeezed over the line?
Evenly Matched
As they approached their championship showdown, both Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman had similar records from their time in the Octagon. The champion, Edwards, came into the contest with 20 wins from 24 professional MMA fights.
Edwards’ record includes three losses and one no contest. Seven of his wins were secured via knockout and there were three submissions.
In the opposing corner, Kamaru Usman had also sealed 20 pro wins, but from marginally fewer fights. He’d stepped into the ring on 22 previous occasions and the loss to Leon Edwards was only the third of his career.
In both cases, the majority of wins had come via the judges’ decision, so it was no great surprise to see the UFC 286 fight go all the way. Usman battled, but the contest eventually came down in favor of the defending champion.
Getting Over the Line
While the final decision was a close one, it should be remembered that Leon Edwards suffered a points deduction before ultimately claiming the fight. After the bout, the champion spoke to the press and outlined how his gameplan had worked perfectly.
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(A real-life Rocky story! Leon Edwards v Kamaru Usman 3 | #UFC286 Official UFC Fight Highlights)
Edwards stated that he had looked to set up his opponent with kicks to the body and legs. His aim was to go for cleaner shots that would score points with the judges. It’s clear from those comments that he was expecting a tough fight and one that could well go all the way.
In reply, Usman’s shots were largely off target and the champion therefore edged what was a tight battle. He could even afford to overcome a debatable points deduction in order to win.
The Perfect Game
It wasn’t just about those kicks at Edwards v Usman 3: The champion began with a series of punches, most of which hit their intended target. The challenger responded in kind and this is where the course of the fight changed.
After Edwards was warned for a low blow, he began to focus solely on those kicks. The points deduction must have been a factor as he stuck to his original gameplan. His attack was impressive, but the champion was solid in defense too as Usman continually attempted to force him to the ground.
Eventually, it was those clean kicks that secured a successful defense, but is this the end of the Edwards vs Usman story?
What Next for Edwards and Usman?
The public may well want to see another close battle between two evenly matched fighters, but will either Edwards or Usman be quick to face each other in the Octagon? The post-fight comments in each camp show respect between the two men. There was no bad-mouthing and no instant desire to overcome any form of grudge.
They’ve also fought each other three times to date. At UFC 278, Edwards was behind on the card in their second encounter, before landing a late head kick which rendered his opponent unconscious.
Edwards v Usman 4 may yet happen, but there are other challengers who have waited long enough for a shot at the title. Makhachev Islam has already shown his hand on social media, by stating that he wants a fight with Leon Edwards in Dubai in October.
Colby Covington has also been mentioned, while there is a general feeling that Leon Edwards’ next fight will be against the winner of Jorge Nasvidal and Gilbert Burns at UFC 287.
Another rematch could happen, but those who were enthralled by Edwards v Usman 3 will have to wait.
