Career Averages - Leon Edwards
Career Averages - Kamaru Usman
Leon Edwards
Kamaru Usman
Leon Edwards - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 12 of 17 | 70% | 25 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:00 |
| Carlos Prates | 1 | 21 of 32 | 65% | 24 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 7 of 10 | 70% | 20 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:00 |
| Carlos Prates | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Carlos Prates | 1 | 12 of 15 | 80% | 12 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 12 of 17 | 70% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 9 | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlos Prates | 21 of 32 | 65% | 8 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 13 | 19 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 7 of 10 | 70% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlos Prates | 9 of 17 | 52% | 2 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 7 | 8 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 5 of 7 | 71% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlos Prates | 12 of 15 | 80% | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 | 11 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Prates (-198), Edwards (+164)
Round 1
Keith Peterson is the referee. They start in matching southpaw stances and trade low kicks. They both land more leg kicks and then Prates moves foreward with a jab. Prates defends a takedown from Edwards. Prates lands a knee on the inside. Both welterweights continue to land low kicks. Edwards shoots and shoves Prates into the fence. Prates defends and stays upright. Edwards brings a knee. Prates is talking to Edwards as they remain in the clinch. Peterson has seen enough and they separate. Back at range, Prates steps in with a knee. Edwards times a level change nicely and takes Prates down. Edwards looks to take the back and makes Prates carry him like a backpack as the Brazilian stands. Prates fights off the hands to prevent a choke. A few short shots to the side of the head for Edwards. Edwards jumps off the back and takes Prates down. Edwards threatens with a rear-naked choke late in the round but Prates survives.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Round 2
Edwards fires off a front kick. Prates with a low kick. Edwards counters a low kick with a left hand. Prates sticks a crisp jab. A leg kick spins Edwards around. The welterweights trade lefts as Prates keeps talking to his foe. The Brazilian pumps his jab while chattering away. A nice counter lands for Edwards following a Prates knee during an exchange. Moments later, Prates lands a long left hand through Edwards’ guard, taking the Englishman clean off his feet. “Rocky” crashes to the canvas and his eyes roll back in his head. Prates dives in and adds one follow-up missile for good measure. “The Nightmare” is the first man to knock out Leon Edwards in his professional MMA career.
The Official Result
Carlos Prates def. Leon Edwards via KO (Punches) R2 1:28
Angelo picks Carlos Prates, noting that Leon Edwards' recent losses were to wrestlers, while Prates is a dangerous striker. He believes Edwards has shown lack of heart recently and Prates' power and accuracy will be too much. He is excited for the fight and confident in Prates.
Big Brady picks Carlos Prates, believing he is getting Leon Edwards at the right time. He criticizes Edwards for having boring fights and not facing dangerous knockout artists, noting Edwards has never been knocked out but hasn't fought many power punchers. Brady thinks Prates has the 'death touch' and will knock out Edwards if he lets his hands go, predicting a second-round knockout. He acknowledges the risk of a slow start but expects Prates to show urgency.
Cody also picks Prates but calls it a trap line due to recency bias. He notes that Leon has been taken down frequently but that Prates won't wrestle, which could make Leon more comfortable. However, Cody believes Prates is younger, more aggressive, and will land bigger shots. He is concerned about Leon's past performances but ultimately sides with Prates.
Connor picks Prates hesitantly, citing Edwards' recent decline in motivation and tendency to fade in fights. He notes that Prates is a dangerous striker who can capitalize on Edwards' lapses, especially if Edwards backs to the fence. However, he acknowledges Prates' wrestling is unproven and Edwards could out-grapple him.
Daniel believes Prates is catching Edwards at the right time, as Edwards has looked uninspired and has been rocked multiple times. He praises Prates' knockout power and variety of strikes, and notes that Edwards' measured pace plays into Prates' style of downloading data and finding openings. He predicts a knockout win for Prates.
Lucrative James picks Carlos Prates to win by KO. He highlights Prates' diverse striking arsenal, especially his devastating knee strikes, and believes Edwards will struggle to stay safe on the feet. He notes Edwards has been hurt by lesser strikers and doubts his ability to grapple effectively against Prates. He predicts Prates will land a knockout in round two or three, continuing his streak of walk-off KOs in the UFC.
Prates stops Edwards' takedowns and boxes him up on the feet, landing better shots to win on the scorecards. However, the odds are a little wide for my liking, indicating some hesitation.
Paul picks Prates, citing that Leon Edwards is on the decline and has shown low volume and a tendency to quit. He notes that Prates is on the rise and has power, and that Leon's wrestling won't be a factor since Prates doesn't rely on takedowns. Paul thinks Prates will land bigger shots and either finish or win a decision.
The Guru picks Carlos Prates to KO Leon Edwards in round one or two. He cites Edwards' suspect chin, having been wobbled by Nate Diaz and Belal Muhammad, and believes Prates' power and timing will be too much. He notes that Edwards' movement and range management may not be enough to avoid Prates' left hand. The Guru expects a dramatic finish.
Zane also picks Prates, influenced by Edwards' apparent loss of enjoyment and tendency to become passive. He notes that Prates' pressure and power could catch Edwards, but Edwards' wrestling is a threat. He mentions the closed stance matchup favors Prates' comfort.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 23 of 35 | 65% | 23 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Sean Brady | 0 | 57 of 93 | 61% | 221 of 295 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 1 | 0 | 11:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 20 of 29 | 68% | 20 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Sean Brady | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 47 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sean Brady | 0 | 19 of 22 | 86% | 76 of 95 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:57 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sean Brady | 0 | 14 of 21 | 66% | 86 of 113 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:09 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sean Brady | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 12 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 23 of 35 | 65% | 10 of 21 | 11 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 23 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Brady | 57 of 93 | 61% | 44 of 76 | 8 of 9 | 5 of 8 | 19 of 53 | 7 of 7 | 31 of 33 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 20 of 29 | 68% | 8 of 16 | 11 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 17 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Brady | 19 of 39 | 48% | 10 of 27 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 13 of 33 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Brady | 19 of 22 | 86% | 18 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 21 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 3 of 4 | 75% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Brady | 14 of 21 | 66% | 13 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 12 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Brady | 5 of 11 | 45% | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brady (-162), Edwards (+136)
Round 1
Jason Herzog gets the nod for the evening’s main event. Brady comes out swinging. Edwards with a swif left hand. Brady lands a right hand. Edwards tests the rear high kick. Brady forces the clinch in the middle of the cage. They break and Brady lands a low kick. They crash into the clinch again. Brady can’t do anything with it, but he lands a nice combination at range. Brady lands a left and forces another tie-up. Edwards punches the body in close. They’re back at range and Edwards counters a kick with a right hook. Edwards with a knee in close as Brady clinches. They separate and Brady wades back in with punches. Brady tries a high kick and then closes distance, pushing Edwards into the fence. The fans don’t love it. Brady knees the thighs. Edwards turns Brady into the fence and digs a short shot to the body. They stay in the clinch, with both men landing short shots. Late in the round, Brady is able to dump Edwards on the mat, and he ends the period in half guard.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Round 2
Edwards is warned before the round regarding eye pokes. Brady explodes out of his corner for a double leg. He was in deep, but Edwards is able to get to his feet. Brady drags him down from the back, then sweeps into top position. Brady takes the back as Edwards tries to initiate a scramble. Brady has both hooks in, and he peppers Edwards with lefts to the head. Brady continues to stay busy landing left hands. He switches to the body triangle. Edwards does a good job protecting his neck, but Brady is finding openings to land offense. Brady mixes in an elbow with his punches. Brady wants to scramble into mount, but Edwards gets half guard. Brady is hunting for a kimura now as he elbows his opponent’s thigh. Edwards is able to free his arm but Brady goes from full mount to back control. Brady continues to maintain dominant positions while Edwards tries to initiate scrambles. It’s complete one-way traffic that round for Brady.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Brady
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Brady
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Brady
Round 3
Brady with a kick to the body to open the frame. Brady pressures and lands an uppercut. Edwards catches Brady with a nice counter elbow. Brady is able to initiate the clinch moments later. Edwards frees himself and shoots for a takedown of his own. Brady sprawls and snaps Edwards down with a front headlock. Brady thinks about a guillotine but lets it go. He steps into full mount at the 3:30 mark. Edwards is doing his best to hold the American close. Edwards looks to scramble, but Brady unloads some heavy shots. Edwards gets to all fours and then stands. Brady powers him back down and moves into half guard. Brady is heavy on top and he might be trying to set up an arm triangle. Edwards is still moving, but he can’t shake Brady. Edwards crawls toward the fence and Brady jumps on his back. Brady has the hooks in and he peppers Edwards with short shots. Edwards is having a miserable time here, but these strikes likely won’t finish the fight. Brady pulls Edwards back, but the Brit is able to control the hands of his opponent until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Round 4
Brady moves forward behind a couple low kicks, then pressures with power punches. Edwards is on his heels, and Brady changes levels against the fence. He gets the former champ down with relative ease, and this is with more than four minutes to go in the frame. Brady is working from half guard, applying heavy pressure from top position. Brady is hunting a guillotine.
He has it locked in this time, and the squeeze tightens. Edwards has no choice but to tap
and the crowd at the O2 Arena is stunned. It’s a major feather in the cap for Brady, and he did it in dominant fashion.
The Official Result
Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R4 1:39
Angelo picks Sean Brady, reasoning that Leon Edwards often fights passively and freezes when threatened with takedowns. He believes if Brady fights like Belal Muhammad—moving forward, throwing strikes, and shooting takedowns—he will win. He acknowledges Leon is the better fighter skill-wise but doubts he will pull the trigger. He is not betting the fight because Leon is too good to bet against.
Brady is torn but picks Edwards, citing that Brady is not Belal Muhammad and lacks his cardio and wrestling. He thinks Edwards is the better striker and may get hometown cooking in a close fight. He predicts a very close decision win for Edwards, but says he won't bet it.
Connor picks Brady, emphasizing that if Brady sticks to the Belal Muhammad blueprint—constant pressure and wrestling—he can neutralize Edwards. He acknowledges Edwards' danger but believes Brady's physicality and simple game plan can overcome Edwards' tendency to fade. However, he worries Brady might get psyched out and crumble.
The host believes Edwards has shown good takedown defense in the past and, given Brady's wrestling style compared to Belal Muhammad, Edwards should survive the early takedown onslaught. He expects Edwards to start stopping takedowns in the later rounds and showcase his striking advantage, leading to a late knockout or decision win.
The Guru confidently picks Leon Edwards, questioning why he is an underdog. He believes Edwards is a better striker and will control the distance, while Brady's takedowns will be stuffed or reversed. He notes that Brady struggled against Belal Muhammad and Michael Chiesa, and that Edwards has good reversals and butterfly guard. He expects a dull 49-46 or 48-47 decision win for Edwards.
Zane picks Edwards despite acknowledging Brady's path to victory via pressure and wrestling. He believes Edwards' psychological resilience and ability to find moments of danger will be decisive, while Brady tends to crumble when his game plan fails. Zane notes Edwards' fatal flaws but trusts his championship experience over Brady's tendency to implode.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belal Muhammad | 0 | 47 of 71 | 66% | 89 of 114 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 2 | 7:11 |
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 68 of 121 | 56% | 192 of 281 | 9 of 13 | 69% | 0 | 0 | 12:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 15 of 21 | 71% | 25 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 51 of 75 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 | |
| 2 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 11 of 16 | 68% | 17 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 27 of 39 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 3:25 | |
| 3 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 19 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:18 |
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 9 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 | |
| 4 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:30 |
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 21 of 30 | 70% | 62 of 82 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:17 | |
| 5 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 13 of 20 | 65% | 18 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:44 |
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 43 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:20 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belal Muhammad | 47 of 71 | 66% | 32 of 53 | 12 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 35 of 58 | 6 of 7 | 6 of 6 |
| Leon Edwards | 68 of 121 | 56% | 59 of 110 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 62 of 111 | 0 of 4 | 6 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belal Muhammad | 15 of 21 | 71% | 7 of 12 | 7 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 16 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Leon Edwards | 17 of 34 | 50% | 14 of 31 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 30 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Belal Muhammad | 11 of 16 | 68% | 8 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Leon Edwards | 13 of 22 | 59% | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | |
| 3 | Belal Muhammad | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Leon Edwards | 4 of 9 | 44% | 3 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Belal Muhammad | 6 of 10 | 60% | 5 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Leon Edwards | 21 of 30 | 70% | 18 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 5 | Belal Muhammad | 13 of 20 | 65% | 11 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 6 |
| Leon Edwards | 13 of 26 | 50% | 11 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Leon Edwards to win, citing Edwards' sharper striking and takedown defense. He notes that Belal Muhammad's wrestling pressure could be a factor, but expects Edwards to defend takedowns and frustrate Belal as the fight goes on. Angelo admits he will be rooting for Belal but believes Edwards is the more proven champion. He also mentions that Belal has been training with the Dagestani wrestlers and could maul Edwards, but still leans Edwards.
Cody believes Belal Muhammad is a talented generalist who can adapt his game plan to any opponent. He points out that Belal has shown different wrinkles, such as out-striking Gilbert Burns and Shawn Brady, and that his wrestling and pressure will be key. Cody notes that Leon Edwards has a history of dropping later rounds, as seen against Colby Covington and Rafael dos Anjos, and that Belal's volume and pace could overwhelm Leon in the championship rounds. He also mentions that Belal is at his best now, while Leon's previous opponents were past their prime.
Daniel argues that the first fight was not a domination, citing no knockdowns, no 10-8 round, and a close strike count. He believes Belal's relentless pace, high output, and ability to pressure will overwhelm Leon, who has shown fatigue in later rounds. He also notes that Belal is undervalued by the market and has consistently been a profitable underdog. He acknowledges Leon's kicking threat but thinks Belal can close distance and make it a dirty fight.
Daniel argues that Belal Muhammad has improved significantly since the first fight, citing dominant wins over Shawn Brady and Gilbert Burns. He believes Leon Edwards has not looked better since winning the title, coasting against Colby Covington and a diminished Kamaru Usman. He emphasizes Belal's newfound wrestling focus and improved striking reads, predicting he will overwhelm Edwards. He also advises waiting on Belal's line as it may drift further due to public sentiment against Belal's trash talk.
Jeff picks Leon Edwards, noting he looked good in the brief first fight and has been improving since winning the belt. He acknowledges Edwards' recent opponents (Covington, Usman, Diaz) are not elite, but still trusts the champion's development. He believes Edwards' reads and feints were working before the eye poke and expects him to handle Belal's pressure.
Paul favors Leon Edwards, citing his speed, slickness, and striking advantage. He argues that Leon was winning the first fight before the eye poke and has improved his takedown defense, as seen against Colby Covington. Paul believes Belal's power doesn't scare him and that Leon will win most exchanges on the feet. He also notes that Belal's path to victory relies on takedowns and control, but Leon has made strides in those areas.
The MMA Guru picks Leon Edwards by TKO in round two. He believes Edwards is a level above Belal Muhammad, as shown in their first fight where Edwards had success before the head kick. The Guru notes Edwards' reach advantage, distance management, and improved takedown defense from training with wrestlers like Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. He thinks Muhammad will be hesitant and that Edwards will land a punch for the finish. He also mentions Muhammad's PED use as a concern but still favors Edwards.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 57 of 108 | 52% | 65 of 116 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 | 1 | 1:27 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 44 of 126 | 34% | 109 of 194 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 5:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 13 of 31 | 41% | 13 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 10 of 28 | 35% | 10 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 18 of 27 | 66% | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 13 of 36 | 36% | 13 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 12 of 23 | 52% | 13 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 7 of 32 | 21% | 13 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:11 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 19 of 32 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 10 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 54 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 57 of 108 | 52% | 21 of 62 | 14 of 21 | 22 of 25 | 56 of 107 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Colby Covington | 44 of 126 | 34% | 20 of 86 | 7 of 12 | 17 of 28 | 44 of 125 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 13 of 31 | 41% | 5 of 20 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 13 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 10 of 28 | 35% | 5 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 10 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 18 of 27 | 66% | 7 of 13 | 4 of 7 | 7 of 7 | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 13 of 36 | 36% | 4 of 22 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 10 | 13 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 12 of 23 | 52% | 3 of 12 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 7 | 12 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 7 of 32 | 21% | 1 of 21 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 7 | 7 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 11 of 22 | 50% | 3 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 13 of 26 | 50% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Colby Covington | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo leans Leon Edwards due to his striking and mental fortitude, noting Leon's ability to come back from being dominated against Usman. He acknowledges Colby's wrestling pressure but is concerned about Colby's ring rust and the brain damage claim. He ultimately picks Leon but does not bet, preferring to watch without pressure.
Big Brady picks Colby Covington as an underdog, citing Covington's high volume striking (4.10 significant strikes per minute vs Edwards' 2.8) and relentless wrestling pressure. He notes Covington's takedown ability (4 per 15 minutes) and believes he can take Edwards down consistently, unlike Kamaru Usman who stuffed 11 takedowns. Brady acknowledges concerns about Covington's chin (dropped 5 times in last 3 fights) and layoff, but thinks his style gives Edwards problems. He predicts a competitive decision win for Covington.
Cody picks Leon Edwards, arguing that Edwards is entering his prime while Covington is on a long layoff and has health issues. He highlights Edwards' improved takedown defense and get-up game against Kamaru Usman in their trilogy, where he gave up only 5 minutes of control time. Cody also notes Covington's last win is over a retired Jorge Masvidal and that Edwards is trending upward with better cardio and striking volume.
Daniel Vreeland picks Leon Edwards, citing Edwards' superior timing and counter-striking. He notes that Colby Covington's long layoff will affect his timing, and that Edwards hits harder than Kamaru Usman, who has already stunned Covington. Vreeland believes Covington's wrestling-heavy approach won't win rounds if he gets cracked on the feet, as judges are not rewarding takedowns without damage. He also mentions that Edwards could put Covington away early.
Jeff Fox picks Leon Edwards, reasoning that Covington is inactive and past his peak, while Edwards is improving. He notes that Covington's pressure and volume could be countered by Edwards' dangerous striking. Fox also points out that Covington's wrestling may not be enough to win rounds if he gets hit. He expects Edwards to retain the title.
Lucrative James does not have a strong read on this fight. He notes that two respected colleagues are heavy on Leon Edwards, which gives him pause, but he is not confident in either side. He considers Colby Covington at underdog odds if the line moves to +170 or so, but he is not passionate about the fight. He sees it as a dog-or-pass spot and will not lay the money on Edwards at current lines.
The host believes Covington's volume-based approach, activity level, cardio, and consistent movement will frustrate Edwards. He notes that Edwards has let rounds slip away in the past and that Covington doesn't need takedowns to win—he can outwork Edwards on the feet. The host also mentions that Covington has been out for over a year but has stayed in shape, and that this is a good stylistic matchup for him. He predicts Covington wins by decision.
Paul acknowledges Leon Edwards is a deserved favorite but sees value in Colby Covington's decision prop at +250. He notes Covington's relentless pace and ability to land 200+ significant strikes over 25 minutes, which makes his moneyline essentially a decision prop. However, he admits it's a close fight and only took a small poke on Covington by decision, not fully confident.
The Guru picks Leon Edwards over Colby Covington, citing Edwards' superior striking, especially low kicks and body knees in the clinch. He notes Covington's inactivity (last fought March 2022), age (nearly 36), and tendency to not push pace against strong wrestlers. He believes Edwards' takedown defense and underhooks will lead to damaging knees, and that Covington's scar tissue will be targeted by elbows. He predicts a second-round TKO for Edwards.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 120 of 161 | 74% | 123 of 164 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 87 of 205 | 42% | 113 of 232 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 0 | 0 | 5:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 20 of 26 | 76% | 20 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 12 of 42 | 28% | 13 of 43 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 23 of 26 | 88% | 23 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 24 of 50 | 48% | 32 of 58 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 24 of 32 | 75% | 25 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 17 of 32 | 53% | 22 of 37 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 25 of 41 | 60% | 26 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 14 of 37 | 37% | 15 of 38 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 28 of 36 | 77% | 29 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 20 of 44 | 45% | 31 of 56 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 2:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 120 of 161 | 74% | 34 of 69 | 36 of 39 | 50 of 53 | 111 of 150 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 87 of 205 | 42% | 57 of 163 | 24 of 34 | 6 of 8 | 65 of 177 | 21 of 27 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 20 of 26 | 76% | 5 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 9 of 9 | 20 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 12 of 42 | 28% | 5 of 32 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 23 of 26 | 88% | 9 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 8 of 9 | 22 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 24 of 50 | 48% | 19 of 42 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 34 | 11 of 15 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 24 of 32 | 75% | 2 of 9 | 8 of 8 | 14 of 15 | 24 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 17 of 32 | 53% | 9 of 21 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 25 of 41 | 60% | 9 of 22 | 4 of 6 | 12 of 13 | 25 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 14 of 37 | 37% | 7 of 28 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 14 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 28 of 36 | 77% | 9 of 16 | 12 of 13 | 7 of 7 | 20 of 28 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 20 of 44 | 45% | 17 of 40 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 36 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Usman because he dominated the vast majority of the previous fight and has not lost since 2013. He thinks the first round was a fluke and Usman will wrestle and control the fight. He is not betting because of the knockout loss but believes Usman wins.
Big Brady picks Usman but with hesitation, noting he was clearly winning the second fight before the head kick. He lists concerns: Usman's age (35), injuries, travel to London, and the knockout loss. He thinks Edwards' path is a finish, while Usman can win rounds via wrestling and pressure. He predicts a decision win but will not bet this fight due to a bad feeling.
Cody picks Usman based on the belief that Usman was the better fighter in the first two fights and can make corrections after the knockout loss. He compares it to GSP after the Serra loss and Cain after the JDS loss, arguing that great champions bounce back. He notes Edwards is dangerous but thinks Usman will wrestle heavily and win by decision, as he doesn't see a finish. He acknowledges the moneyline is unappealing and prefers Usman by decision prop.
Connor believes Usman's pressure is the key to winning. He notes that Edwards is pathologically pressureable and retreats in straight lines, putting himself against the cage. While Usman has become less aggressive under Whitman, Connor thinks he can revert to pressuring Edwards, who has never shown the ability to hold the center of the cage consistently. Connor also points out that Edwards' evasive footwork is poor and his clinch game is neutralized by Usman's strength. He concludes that if Usman commits to pressure, Edwards has no escape.
Jacob is extremely confident in Edwards, having placed a $1,000 bet on him at +205. He believes Edwards was hampered by altitude in the first fight and still found the knockout. He thinks Usman's confidence is shattered after being knocked out cold and that Edwards will dominate in front of the home crowd.
Usman is a former champion with elite wrestling and cardio, and he was winning the second fight before getting caught. Edwards is a great striker but has defensive grappling issues. Usman should lean on his wrestling and avoid striking exchanges, grinding out a decision. The line is seen as a gift given Usman's proven ability.
Paul picks Edwards, citing the UK home advantage and potential hometown scoring. He notes Edwards had success in round one of the last fight (takedown, mount, back control) and is four years younger. He thinks this could be the end of Usman's elite run. He likes the plus money value and says he hasn't bet it yet but is a buyer at north of +200.
The MMA Guru picks Leon Edwards to win by decision, despite a history of picking main events wrong. He argues that altitude affected Edwards in the first fight, while Usman trains at elevation. Edwards dominated round one when both were fresh, and Usman's glove grab saved him from a choke. Usman is coming off a brutal KO loss, is older, and had a short camp with a hand injury. Edwards is entering his prime and has confidence. He predicts a 48-47 decision for Edwards.
Zane agrees with Connor that Usman should pressure Edwards. He notes that Edwards has never broken 100 significant strikes in a five-round fight and tends to fight down to his competition. Zane highlights that Usman has a history of high output even with wrestling, while Edwards fights in bursts. He thinks the psychological adjustment for Edwards to stand his ground is huge and possibly impossible. Zane also mentions that Usman's wrestling and clinch work will be decisive, as Edwards cannot match him there.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 83 of 135 | 61% | 189 of 247 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 0 | 0 | 10:36 |
| Kamaru Usman | 1 | 55 of 75 | 73% | 64 of 85 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 2:56 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 6 of 7 | 85% | 36 of 39 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 13 of 13 | 100% | 17 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:01 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 36 of 65 | 55% | 47 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 20 of 28 | 71% | 21 of 29 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 10 of 17 | 58% | 38 of 49 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:23 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 7 of 10 | 70% | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 22 of 30 | 73% | 54 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:51 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 14 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Kamaru Usman | 1 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 83 of 135 | 61% | 61 of 109 | 17 of 21 | 5 of 5 | 46 of 85 | 15 of 22 | 22 of 28 |
| Kamaru Usman | 55 of 75 | 73% | 20 of 38 | 22 of 24 | 13 of 13 | 42 of 62 | 7 of 7 | 6 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 6 of 7 | 85% | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Kamaru Usman | 13 of 13 | 100% | 6 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 6 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 36 of 65 | 55% | 25 of 52 | 8 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 27 of 49 | 3 of 6 | 6 of 10 |
| Kamaru Usman | 20 of 28 | 71% | 7 of 15 | 9 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 10 of 17 | 58% | 9 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 5 |
| Kamaru Usman | 7 of 10 | 70% | 3 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 22 of 30 | 73% | 18 of 25 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 12 | 8 of 9 | 9 of 9 |
| Kamaru Usman | 6 of 10 | 60% | 2 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 9 of 16 | 56% | 4 of 10 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 9 of 14 | 64% | 2 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Kamaru Usman to defeat Leon Edwards in their rematch. He notes that Usman is on track to become the greatest welterweight of all time, with technical striking and power, as seen in his knockout over Masvidal. Angelo points out that Usman already beat Edwards in 2015 with six takedowns and 11 minutes of control time, and believes Usman can win anywhere. He also mentions that Edwards struggled against Nate Diaz, getting outstruck and needing takedowns to secure the win. Angelo placed a moneyline bet on Usman at -335 and expects the line to move further.
Big Brady picks Kamaru Usman. He acknowledges that Leon Edwards is the better striker at range, but Usman has improved his striking with power and a great jab. Usman is a smart fighter who will use his wrestling and pressure, taking Edwards down and grinding on him for 25 minutes. Brady expects Usman to win by decision, though he notes a finish is possible given Usman's recent power. He respects Edwards but believes Usman's game plan and skills will prevail.
Cody picks Usman, emphasizing his stand-up improvement under Trevor Whitman, his wrestling, and the pressure he brings. He questions Edwards' resume and his ability to handle pressure, noting that Edwards has struggled in later rounds against lesser competition. He thinks Usman could knock him out but expects a decision.
Daniel Levi picks Kamaru Usman to win the rematch. He emphasizes Usman's superior pace and output, noting that Usman's output is almost double Edwards'. He believes Usman's top control will allow him to bank rounds by holding Edwards down. Levi acknowledges Edwards' paths to victory—slowing the pace and sniping Usman as he closes distance—but ultimately thinks this is a bad time to bet against Usman. He mentions that long-reigning champions sometimes lose when least expected, but he still favors Usman.
Usman's wrestling, cardio, and improving striking should overwhelm Edwards, who was nearly finished by Nate Diaz. The host expects Usman to grapple heavily and possibly finish late. He likes Usman round 4-5 or decision at -155 as a better bet than the moneyline. He includes Usman in a four-leg parlay.
Paul picks Usman to win, citing his cardio advantage from training in Denver, his pressure and wrestling, and the ability to slow down Edwards. He notes the -400 line is too steep but still sees Usman as the winner. He mentions he might look for underdog value elsewhere but officially picks Usman.
The Guru predicts Leon Edwards wins via 49-46 unanimous decision, with two judges scoring it 49-46 and one judge giving it 48-47 to Usman. He envisions Edwards landing effective leg kicks, body kicks, and jabs, cutting Usman with an elbow in round one. He sees Edwards rocking Usman with a head kick in round two and an uppercut-left hook combo in round three. However, he acknowledges Edwards slows down in rounds four and five, with Usman taking him down and landing punches, but believes Edwards clearly won rounds one, two, and three.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 77 of 132 | 58% | 83 of 139 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 4:59 |
| Nate Diaz | 0 | 76 of 162 | 46% | 130 of 223 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 14 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Nate Diaz | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 19 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 17 of 30 | 56% | 18 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:09 |
| Nate Diaz | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 29 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 13 of 15 | 86% | 17 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Nate Diaz | 0 | 3 of 12 | 25% | 20 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 18 of 36 | 50% | 18 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nate Diaz | 0 | 19 of 45 | 42% | 20 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nate Diaz | 0 | 31 of 52 | 59% | 42 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 77 of 132 | 58% | 48 of 97 | 6 of 12 | 23 of 23 | 68 of 118 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 8 |
| Nate Diaz | 76 of 162 | 46% | 52 of 129 | 16 of 21 | 8 of 12 | 66 of 152 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 13 of 19 | 68% | 8 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 |
| Nate Diaz | 10 of 23 | 43% | 4 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 9 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 17 of 30 | 56% | 10 of 21 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
| Nate Diaz | 13 of 30 | 43% | 6 of 20 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 13 of 15 | 86% | 9 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Nate Diaz | 3 of 12 | 25% | 1 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 18 of 36 | 50% | 10 of 26 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Nate Diaz | 19 of 45 | 42% | 13 of 36 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 18 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 16 of 32 | 50% | 11 of 26 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nate Diaz | 31 of 52 | 59% | 28 of 48 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 25 of 46 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Leon Edwards to win by TKO or cut stoppage, citing Edwards' youth, striking advantage, and well-rounded game. He notes Diaz is past his prime and has taken significant damage. He expects Edwards to mix in takedowns and potentially finish Diaz, possibly due to a cut.
Cody is confident Edwards wins, likely by decision, as he is a decision machine and Diaz is durable. He likes the decision prop at +135 and notes Edwards' clinch work and ring IQ. He also mentions the possibility of a cut stoppage but thinks Edwards will systematically pick Diaz apart.
Daniel Levi picks Leon Edwards to win by decision, possibly via cut stoppage. He notes Edwards' technical striking and takedowns, and Diaz's tendency to cut easily. He warns that Edwards must not get into a brawl and should manage his cardio. He respects Diaz's toughness but thinks Edwards is too well-rounded.
Edwards is superior everywhere: striking, wrestling, and clinch work. He can take Diaz down and control him, or outstrike him at range. Diaz's only path is cumulative damage in later rounds, but Edwards' cardio is solid. Edwards likely wins a decision, as Diaz is durable and hard to finish. The line is wide for a reason.
Paul is also confident in Edwards, calling him the anchor of parlays. He thinks Edwards wins by decision and likes the decision prop. He notes Edwards' excellent clinch work and high ring IQ, and believes he will systematically pick apart Diaz.
The MMA Guru is extremely confident in Leon Edwards, calling it the fight he'd pick with his life on the line. He cites Edwards' superior striking, cardio, and grappling, and notes Diaz's lack of power at 170 and decline in cardio since going vegan. He predicts a third-round TKO via body kick, as Edwards will want a finish to secure a title shot.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 20 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Belal Muhammad | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 14 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 18 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Belal Muhammad | 0 | 8 of 24 | 33% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:33 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Belal Muhammad | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 19 of 39 | 48% | 10 of 29 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 38 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Belal Muhammad | 8 of 26 | 30% | 7 of 23 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 17 of 35 | 48% | 9 of 26 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Belal Muhammad | 8 of 24 | 33% | 7 of 21 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Belal Muhammad | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Edwards (-205), Muhammad (+170)
Round 1
After a very long night of combat, the main event is here. Running back a fight from UFC Fight Night 187, when Edwards (22-3, 1 NC; 14-2, 1 NC UFC) poked Muhammad (23-3, 1 NC; 14-3, 1 NC UFC) in the eye to force a no contest, the two will now vie for the undisputed welterweight crown. The unbeaten streaks of these two men are gargantuan, with “Rocky” not having lost in his last 13 appearances while the challenger has not tasted defeat in 10 straight encounters on his own ledger. Something’s gotta give, and referee Mike Beltran will be sure to keep things as clean as they can be. The two are not fans of one another, and there is no touch of gloves. Beltran clocks in the main attraction, and away we go. Muhammad moves right to the center of the cage, and Edwards prods out a few jabs while Muhammad pressures forward. Muhammad shoots in for a double, lifting the champion in the air and slamming him down with relative ease. Edwards keeps an open guard when he hits his back, staying tight to Muhammad to prevent him from doing much. Muhammad opens up with a number of short left hands, landing without much impact. Edwards fights his way back to his feet, and Muhammad jams him against the wall and knees him once before getting spin around. Muhammad drives a few knees to the solar plexus, and Edwards drops to his knees for a takedown before abandoning it. Edwards scores an elbow on the break, and Muhammad tosses out a body kick on the way out. Muhammad adjusts and lands a body kick in response, and although he reaches his opponent, Edwards slams his knee in the breadbasket so hard he lifts Muhammad off the ground. They both trade shots, and Edwards catches the challenger with a solid uppercut and a body kick. Muhammad gives him a right hand back to think about, and he presses forward reaching a left over the guard. Edwards rifles a left down the middle and lands a knee, and Edwards slides to the side and eats a heavy left hand that stings him. Edwards tries to get away, and Muhammad attacks a double and dumps the champion on the ground. “Remember the Name” makes Edwards remember his ground-and-pound, punctuating the round with one crisp elbow.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Round 2
Muhammad immediately puts the pressure on the champ when the round begins, walking Edwards down and landing a few punches. Edwards retaliates with a body kick, and Muhammad beats him to the punch with a short swarm of punches. Muhammad scores a pair of jabs to back Edwards up, and Edwards gives him a single one back. Edwards gets an uppercut in, but Muhammad punches his way into a takedown effort. Muhammad fails to secure a takedown, even when clasping his hands together around the waist, as Edwards keeps his balance. Muhammad doggedly pursues the takedown, tripping Edwards up by the knee and dropping him down to his knees. Muhammad jumps on his back, hanging on without hooks in and imposing his weight and will. Edwards is warned for a fence grab, and Muhammad scoops him up and dumps him on his head. Edwards appears no worse for wear, and Muhammad takes his back and gets hooks in. Edwards fights the hands and legs, managing to turn out and get back to his feet, but not before eating a heavy knee on the chin. Muhammad wrenches the champ back to a knee, and Edwards powers back upright only to get chucked on his face. Muhammad ragdolls the betting favorite, clinging to his back and making his life miserable. When Edwards stands, Muhammad drags him down, and he completely shuts down any offense from the champ. Edwards manages to get upright and turn Muhammad towards the fencing, and he knees Muhammad in the gut and drags him to the mat in a surprising turn of events. Muhammad works his way to his seat against the fencing, and he knees Muhammad in the chest from this advantageous position. Edwards hangs on from behind until the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Round 3
Muhammad walks out of his corner to start the fight even before Beltran says go, and he pushes the pace like before. Edwards swats at him with punches, and Muhammad catches him with a right hand and a head kick from up close. Muhammad lifts Edwards in the air and deposits him ever-so-gingerly to the canvas, but Edwards scrambles quickly to take Muhammad’s back and get a hook in as they lean against the cage. Edwards rips Muhammad’s feet out from beneath him, and both hooks are in as he squeezes his left arm around the mouth. Muhammad hand-fights to defend any submission from getting anywhere close, but Edwards is firmly in control while he sets up the body triangle. Edwards adjusts the body lock to his other leg when Muhammad twists, and Muhammad protests about glove grabs. Edwards slips an arm around the jaw again, but there is no second arm to lock it down. Muhammad grabs the fence to try to turn, and Beltran admonishes him for it. As Muhammad sits up, Edwards follows him and smothers his mouth before briefly gripping a face crank. Muhammad breaks the grip but is otherwise totally nullified, wide-eyed and perhaps surprised that Edwards has bullied the bully this round. Edwards loops a punch or two around the guard, and Muhammad no-look elbows back at him until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Round 4
The championship rounds have arrived, and Muhammad is almost to the middle of the cage as Beltran claps in the round. The pressure from Muhammad is constant, and Edwards jabs him back and sneaks a head kick up that crashes into the shoulder. Muhammad throws a few punches back, and he eats a big left hand that wobbles him for a second. Muhammad slips a left over the top, and he jabs behind it. Edwards keeps his guard up to block jabs, and Muhammad sees this and delivers an uppercut to fluster him. Muhammad reaches his man with a one-two, and a few right hands find their home shortly thereafter. Muhammad sells out for a double, and Edwards gets ripped to a knee while Muhammad slips around to take his back with one hook in. Edwards stays on both knees, and as Muhammad gets the other hook around the back, he elbows the champ on the side of the head. Muhammad hacks down with an elbow or two until Edwards leans and lowers himself to his back, and now Muhammad has the body triangle in place. Muhammad softens Edwards up with short, irritating punches on the side of the head while maintaining complete control, and no matter how hard Edwards fights, Muhammad has him on lock. Edwards sits up and breaks the triangle around his waist, but Muhammad drags him back down and resets the leg grip. Beltran tells Muhammad to work as the two lay there in this position, and Muhammad stays busy enough to land punches to the side of the head. With 30 seconds left, Edwards bursts into action and spins Muhammad over. As Muhammad, Edwards follows him to a knee, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Round 5
Muhammad does not alter his game plan, and Edwards does as the round begins. Edwards starts throwing heavy punches, and Muhammad answers him right back and quickly blocks a high kick. Edwards loads up on his shots, and he stuffs a takedown and pushes Muhammad to the side. As Muhammad stands, he greets Edwards with a few stern punches, and he jabs Edwards back to the fencing. Muhammad lines a right hand down Broadway before chasing a takedown, and Edwards leans himself against the cage and stops the attempt from completing. Edwards grabs the fence to stop the takedown from succeeding, and Beltran yells at him. Muhammad does what he did in the previous round, getting back control and dragging Edwards down while completing the body triangle. The crowd is cooked, booing the challenger heartily and even leaving the building, expecting the champ will lose his crown. Muhammad tries to get hold of a neck crank, and Edwards fights it out but it is a moral victory as he is still down on the scorecards with little way of coming back. Time is the worst enemy of “Rocky,” and Muhammad has successfully embraced the grind for coming up on 20 minutes. It might not be the most thrilling performance, as the fans in the building are borderline silent, but it is effective. With 45 seconds to spare, Edwards does everything he can to spin around and attack. Edwards lashes out with two blistering elbows, slashing Muhammad all the way open on the nose as blood sprays on the canvas. Edwards lands one more vicious elbow, and blood pools on Muhammad’s cheek. Edwards unleashes one final flurry of elbows, but it is likely too little, too late. The audience does not like it, but Muhammad did it, putting a performance on Edwards that few others have done. Vengeance is sweet for “Remember the Name,” and he ignores the jeers of the disappointed crowd because he has successfully climbed the mountain. The welterweight title now goes through Muhammad. If the UFC decides to run that one back, if Muhammad faces a hungry challenger like Shavkat Rakhmonov or something else happens, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (48-47 Muhammad)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (48-47 Muhammad)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (48-47 Muhammad)
The Official Result
Belal Muhammad def. Leon Edwards via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Big Brady picks Leon Edwards, citing his superior striking defense and takedown defense. He notes that Edwards is extremely hard to hit (absorbs 2.05 significant strikes per minute) and has a phenomenal get-up game. He expects Edwards to win a decision, possibly with a late stoppage. He acknowledges Muhammad's durability but believes Edwards' style will be too much. He is slightly concerned about cage rust but expects Edwards to continue his win streak.
Daniel Levi picks Belal Muhammad for the upset, citing his pace, cardio, and pressure. He believes Leon Edwards' two-year layoff and ring rust will be a factor, and that Muhammad's style of getting in his face and clinching will be difficult for Edwards. He notes Edwards has been taken down and dropped before, and thinks Muhammad's output and takedown attempts can win three rounds. He acknowledges the risk of Edwards' reach and straight punches but thinks Muhammad's durability and cardio will carry him.
Lock likes Leon Edwards here, citing his crisp striking and takedown defense as key advantages. He compares the matchup to Belal's fight with Jeff Neal, where Belal's pressure was nullified by a sharper striker. Lock believes Edwards' layoff won't be a major issue and that Belal's short-notice turnaround and calf kick damage from his last fight are concerns. He expects Edwards to be too technical and sharp on the feet, and thinks Belal will struggle to get takedowns. Lock acknowledges Belal's activity but sees Edwards as a step up in competition.
The Guru initially leans towards Muhammad but settles on Leon Edwards. He believes Edwards' improved clinch work and elbows will be key against Muhammad's pressure. He notes Edwards' reach advantage and ability to stuff takedowns, referencing Edwards' performance against Kamaru Usman. He also highlights Muhammad's compromised calf from his previous fight, which Edwards can target with leg kicks. He predicts Edwards will lose the first round due to ring rust but win the next four, resulting in a 4-1 decision.
Kamaru Usman - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 41 of 99 | 41% | 137 of 243 | 4 of 13 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 12:57 |
| Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 44 of 148 | 29% | 51 of 156 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 41 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:25 |
| Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 33 of 61 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:08 |
| Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 3 of 17 | 17% | 3 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 33 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 |
| Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 10 of 35 | 28% | 13 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 6 of 20 | 30% | 20 of 39 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 11 of 34 | 32% | 11 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 10 of 26 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 20 of 58 | 34% | 23 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 41 of 99 | 41% | 33 of 89 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 69 | 2 of 4 | 17 of 26 |
| Joaquin Buckley | 44 of 148 | 29% | 29 of 130 | 12 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 41 of 144 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 7 of 11 | 63% | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 9 |
| Joaquin Buckley | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 10 of 21 | 47% | 6 of 16 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 |
| Joaquin Buckley | 3 of 17 | 17% | 2 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kamaru Usman | 8 of 21 | 38% | 6 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 |
| Joaquin Buckley | 10 of 35 | 28% | 5 of 29 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Kamaru Usman | 6 of 20 | 30% | 4 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Joaquin Buckley | 11 of 34 | 32% | 6 of 29 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Kamaru Usman | 10 of 26 | 38% | 10 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Joaquin Buckley | 20 of 58 | 34% | 16 of 54 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buckley (-258), Usman (+210)
Round 1
The proverbial torch is lit and in the hand of former champ Usman (20-4, 15-3 UFC), whose only losses in the UFC are to Leon Edwards twice and against Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight match that may have been a draw. After plenty of time off to get his head right, “The Nigerian Nightmare” hoists the flame and will do his darnedest to stave off the hard-charging kickfighter Buckley (21-6, 11-4 UFC). Something dramatic might happen in the next 25 minutes, and if it does, referee Mike Beltran will be on top of it. The welterweights are not brought to the center of the cage to receive instructions, and instead do it of their own accord, going forehead to forehead. They opt not to bump fists to seal the cage. It’s on with the show. Buckley practically sprints out of his corner to get after it, fishing with jabs to set up a left. They clash heads on the way in, and Buckley hops back uncomfortably. Usman no-sells it and plods forward, looping a single right hand and shooting for a double when Buckley fails on his counter. Buckley hits his seat, and he posts off an arm to try to recover position. Usman drags him away from the fencing so he can establish himself in half guard, and he presses down with his body weight to keep the striker flat. Usman postures up to hack down with an elbow, and after striking, he immediately returns to imposing every pound of his imposing frame. Usman finds a right hand around the guard as he smothers “New Mansa,” and when Buckley sits up, he connects with another solid right. Usman drags him back down the moment Buckley is about to escape, where he makes Buckley pay for his effort with some more ground-and-pound. Usman grinds effectively with powerful punches from above, and he stacks Buckley up to gain a little more distance and increase the potency on his attacks. Usman returns to half guard, shredding Buckley’s right eyebrow open with his elbows. Usman bombards Buckley with elbows and furious punches until time expires. Buckley stands up, blood streaming down his face, and he smiles.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Round 2
Buckley is just as eager to get going despite around five minutes of that, as he races at Usman letting punches go. Usman keeps his guard up to parry or deflect most flying at his face. Usman kicks the body and stays out of range of the counter left, and he ducks down directly into an uppercut. The 38-year-old’s beard holds up fine, and he measures a left hand and fakes for a takedown that draws an exaggerated reaction from his opponent. Buckley plants a side kick on the midsection that makes Usman take a funny step, and he surges at the former champ to put fists on him. Usman responds with one high and one to the body, and he defends the head kick that soars his direction. Usman uses a one-two to shoot in for a speedy single, and he strips Buckley’s footing out and sets him down at the three-minute mark. Usman climbs his way to establish mount, hopping to the side to control in half guard rather than giving Buckley a chance to get out. Usman keeps at least one arm under Buckley’s leg to keep him grounded, and he pummels “New Mansa” with short but damaging strikes with any free hand or wing. Usman hacks with another elbow to open the cut back up on Buckley’s eyebrow or eyelid, and he frames off to keep pounding on the kickboxer. Usman works Buckley over from above, hopping to half guard on the other side so he can beat down Buckley with right hands and elbows. Usman further works on Buckley, causing more blood to flow until the round ends. As Buckley stands up, Usman falls off of him, but it is not from ill intent and instead a strange position that befell the two.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Round 3
To change things up, Buckley comes out of his corner with his hands down, positioning himself in a more karate stance. He lands a single side kick, and he charges forward with a flurry of punches but ends up bouncing his head into the former champ’s. Usman shrugs it off and pitches a head kick at him, and he slides to the side and eats a left hand. Buckley connects twice before getting on his bike, not wishing to stand still so he is vulnerable to a takedown entry. Usman level changes to draw a reaction out of him, ducking a right hand over the top. Buckley loads up with left hands, throwing Usman off-balance but not dropping him. Usman’s jab re-opens the wound on Buckley’s face once more, and he jabs a front kick to the body. Buckley stays behind a power jab, and he dodges an Usman hook to catch him with two. Usman drops down, and he takes Buckley off his feet and assumes top position. Usman is quick to rev up his ground-and-pound engine again, where he further bloodies up “New Mansa” with his ultra-effective ground strikes. Buckley surges to a knee, and Usman leans on him and knees him in the posterior a few times to discourage him from standing without protecting his face. Usman tugs him back down, and he looks irritated that he has been taken down and controlled like this. Buckley posts off his arm and is wrenched down immediately, as Usman mounts him and bombards him with punches and nasty elbows. As the elbows continue to connect, the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Round 4
The fighters get right back to it, with a fire lit under Buckley’s belly. He swings a head kick and several punches behind them, but Usman’s head movement and footwork is making a huge difference even at the age of 38. Buckley tries to work behind his jab, switching stances so eh can chain strikes together, and he pops Usman twice as he retreats. Buckley scores an uppercut, stuffs a takedown and eats a right on the way out. Buckley keeps his hands low as he starts talking to the former champ, goading him into reckless exchanges. One such exchange immediately presents itself, and it ends in a bump of heads. Usman does not register as if anything happened at all, and he snipes the kickboxer with a jab. Buckley tells him it was a good strike, and Usman answers with a power double. Buckley sprawls about as deep as someone can against the wall, and he smiles that he might be able to defend this deep effort. The smile turns to a grimace as Usman lifts him up and down to the ground, where he once more establishes himself in smothering yet dangerous top control. Buckley starts booing from off his back, as Usman controls him, with “The Nigerian Nightmare” shifting from one side to the other. Buckley motions to Beltran as if he will be stood up, but Usman is plenty active and has not drawn so much as a single warning for a lack of action. Buckley sits to a knee, and Usman pounds on him with a free right hand and a few elbows. Usman winds up with a power punch, and his slashing elbow concludes the fourth frame.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Round 5
As if he wants to channel his inner Leon Edwards, Buckley starts the fifth round off with a mighty head kick. Usman tanks it, unlike his fateful title loss, and he keeps marching forward. Beltran asks for the fighters to close their hands, and they proceed to jab it out. Usman goes down low for a single and then a double, and Buckley manages to break off and defend from the effort. Usman tries to change levels again, and Buckley once more stops it in its tracks. This time, Buckley strings together a few punches on the inside on the break. Usman pierces the guard with a sharp jab and fakes a single, and Buckley ignores it and gives back two power jabs of his own. “The Nigerian Nightmare” tries again for a takedown, and a third effort fails. A fourth does as well, and Buckley lets his hands fly and knocks Usman back a step. Usman whiffs with a left hand, and he dodges a big hook that comes back his way. Buckley wraps a left around the guard as he approaches awkwardly, and the two crash into one another as Buckley anticipates an Usman takedown. Usman bullies him to the wall, but he cannot keep him there. Buckley explodes out of control and starts slugging away, catching Usman with short, compact swings. Buckley releases a big left hand and plants a side kick on Usman’s chest, and scoops an uppercut that buzzes the former champ’s chin. Buckley scores with a jab and an uppercut, stinging Usman and forcing him to backpedal as he appears to be hurt. Buckley rushes at him, looping an uppercut his direction but not landing it. Buckley swings with everything he has, smacking Usman and getting tagged on the way back. The two hear the final horn blare, and immediately disengage the offense and congratulate one another for five fairly entertaining rounds likely deserving of “Fight of the Night” given the lack of competition earlier tonight.
On the post-fight interview, the victorious former champ is nearly overcome with emotion, taking a moment to gather his thoughts as he expresses gratitude towards his opponent. Usman says that he feels great and that people should “shut the front door”—paraphrased to remove profanity—about his bad his knees are. While he does not have a name on his tongue, he does state that he should be one win away from a title shot at worst. No matter who the self-proclaimed “f---ing boogeyman” fights next, we will be there for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buckley (49-46 Usman)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Buckley (48-47 Buckley)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buckley (48-47 Usman)
The Official Result
Kamaru Usman def. Joaquin Buckley via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Angelo picks Buckley because he is younger, more active, and has speed and power. He notes that Usman is aging, hasn't fought in two years, and is on a losing streak. He believes Buckley will stay a step ahead and that the UFC is using Usman to build the next generation.
Big Brady picks Joaquin Buckley by third-round knockout. He believes Usman is past his prime, citing a two-year layoff, bad knees, and a washed performance in the second Edwards fight. He thinks Buckley is in his prime with power and will catch Usman's chin. He notes that a few years ago this would be a different fight, but now it's Buckley's time.
Connor picks Buckley, emphasizing that Usman's striking is built on posturing and a steady rhythm, and that Buckley's relentless pressure and power will disrupt that. He notes that Usman has never faced a high-volume power striker and that Buckley's wrestling scrambles and durability will be key. Connor also points out that Usman's age and knee issues make him vulnerable to being overwhelmed, though he acknowledges Usman could still catch Buckley with clean shots or force him into bad wrestling exchanges.
Age and bad knees are catching up to Usman at 38. Buckley is younger and better at this moment. He will stop the takedowns, punish Usman on the feet, and find a knockout between three and a half to four rounds.
The Guru picks Joaquin Buckley, noting value on Usman but favoring Buckley's movement, output, and physicality. He predicts Buckley will get ahead early and stay ahead, finishing Usman by TKO in the fourth round. He cites Usman's long layoff, knee issues, and inability to physically dominate Buckley as key factors.
Zane picks Buckley because he believes Buckley's youth, power, pace, and relentless pressure will overwhelm the older, worn-down Usman. He notes that Usman has never faced a high-volume power puncher like Buckley, and that Buckley's improved speed changes and physicality make him a bully at welterweight. Zane acknowledges Usman's technical advantages but thinks Buckley's hustle and stamina will carry him through, especially as Usman's knees and age have diminished his ability to maintain his own pace.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khamzat Chimaev | 0 | 36 of 66 | 54% | 58 of 92 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 38 of 70 | 54% | 107 of 143 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 7:16 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khamzat Chimaev | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 16 of 17 | 94% | 61 of 66 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 | 0 | 4:35 | |
| 2 | Khamzat Chimaev | 0 | 11 of 18 | 61% | 12 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 12 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 | |
| 3 | Khamzat Chimaev | 0 | 22 of 45 | 48% | 41 of 66 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 13 of 33 | 39% | 34 of 54 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khamzat Chimaev | 36 of 66 | 54% | 27 of 52 | 6 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 33 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Kamaru Usman | 38 of 70 | 54% | 27 of 53 | 3 of 9 | 8 of 8 | 22 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 17 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khamzat Chimaev | 3 of 3 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Kamaru Usman | 16 of 17 | 94% | 15 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 16 | |
| 2 | Khamzat Chimaev | 11 of 18 | 61% | 5 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 11 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 9 of 20 | 45% | 3 of 10 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Khamzat Chimaev | 22 of 45 | 48% | 20 of 41 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Kamaru Usman | 13 of 33 | 39% | 9 of 27 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 12 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Chimaev (-285), Usman (+230)
Round 1
Unexpectedly preserving this fight, former welterweight kingpin Usman (20-3, 15-2 UFC) will be stepping up to 185 pounds for the first time in his career in the highly anticipated co-headliner. With just 12 days to prepare, he will collide with Chimaev (12-0, 6-0 UFC), who has been out of the Octagon for over a year while at middleweight for the first time since 2020. Many questions may be answered about both men when the dust settles, and referee Jason Herzog will take the helm for the second-to-last bout of the day. Chimaev has a wild look in his eye, and even though he offers a clap of hands, Usman is having none of it. The two look for their ranges, and Chimaev races forward and looks to take the former champ down. Usman defends it by dropping to a knee, and he springs back up. Chimaev grabs him from behind and looks for a mat return, while imposing his body weight on Usman. Chimaev presses Usman down and gets both hooks in, and he starts hammering Chimaev with hammerfists. Herzog asks Usman to work, and Usman sits up but still has “Borz” on his back. Chimaev fishes for a choke and mixes in punches, and he grabs the cage a few times to maintain position. Usman stays on his hands and knees, not allowing himself to get flattened out but completely nullified from an offensive perspective. Usman looks to shimmy Chimaev off his back, although this does not work. Chimaev looks for a potential choke and busts Usman in the face with a few punches and an elbow. Usman stands up, and Chimaev completes the body triangle and starts wrapping up a rear-naked choke. Usman fights the hands to defend against the choke, and he slams Chimaev right on his head to stop the submission. Chimaev flattens Usman out momentarily, but Usman sits up and leans himself against the fencing. Chimaev wraps his arms around Usman’s head, but the choke is not there. Chimaev works with strikes from around the sides of the head, and he drags Usman to his seat when Usman looks to recover. “Borz” sits up to land a few strikes, and the dominant round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chimaev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Chimaev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Chimaev
Round 2
The second round begins, and both men are tentative to exchange in the early going. No strikes land for the first 45 seconds, when Usman jabs the body and kicks the calf. Chimaev changes stances after the kick, and he flicks out a jab. Usman fakes for a takedown, and Chimaev partially bites but does not sell out to defend an attempt that does not come. Usman puts the ball of his foot on Chimaev’s midsection, and he blocks a high body kick that soars back his way. Usman scores another front kick, and he gets pushed back when Chimaev kicks at his knee. The crowd grows restless at the inactivity from the two middleweights, and Usman goes down a little harder for a faked takedown. Usman lands a straight right hand and pump-fakes for another takedown, and he blocks a head kick. Chimaev gets off a leg kick, and he is jabbed to the body. Usman misses on a big right hand, and he leans back as Chimaev swats at him. Another head kick is guarded from the former champ, who looks for a level change and stings Chimaev with a one-two and follows with a calf kick. Usman reaches out with a left hand, and Chimaev shoots in deep for a double that puts Usman on his back with relative ease. Usman defends by tying up the arms and neck, stopping Chimaev from advancing or doing anything. Chimaev pops his head out in the last seconds, lands one punch, and the horn tweets.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Chimaev
Round 3
The last round opens up, and Chimaev dives face-first for a takedown that Usman comfortably stops and scoots away. Usman picks and pokes with jabs and leg kicks, and he reaches out with a right that brushes off the beard. Usman leans down and grabs Chimaev’s leg, but he lets it go to keep Chimaev thinking about the wrestling. Chimaev lands a body kick and gets knocked back with two fists, and this leads to “Borz” racing forward with a takedown. Chimaev stands up, and Usman rifles out several jabs to the head and body. Chimaev gets stung in an exchange, and Usman tags him with more jabs and shoots for his own takedown. Chimaev appears fatigued, with his winging strikes labored, and Usman can reach him when he tries. Chimaev drops down for an ankle, and he successfully scoops Usman up and sets him down courtesy of a single. Chimaev moves into half guard, and he grinds the former champion down. Usman looks to buck and prevent Chimaev from advancing, but time is not on his side. Chimaev does little more than control, but he is heavy and keeps Usman flat until Usman furiously escapes. With 20 seconds to go, Usman is on his feet, and he misses with a one-two. Usman lands a few punches, ducks the counters, and the two let their hands go right to the bitter end. Scorecards may be all over the place, regarding the potential score of the first round and the value of striking against grappling in this round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman (29-28 Usman)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Chimaev (29-28 Chimaev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Chimaev (30-27 Chimaev)
The Official Result
Khamzat Chimaev def. Kamaru Usman via Majority Decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)
Angelo picks Khamzat Chimaev, citing the circumstances: short notice for Usman, moving up in weight, travel, and a three-round fight. He thinks Usman's cardio won't benefit him and Chimaev's wrestling will be too much. He is excited to see Chimaev's takedown defense tested but believes the factors favor Chimaev.
Big Brady picks Khamzat Chimaev to win by first round TKO. He questions Kamaru Usman's motivation and decline, noting his age (36), injuries, and poor performance in the second Leon Edwards fight. Usman is taking the fight on short notice and moving up in weight. Brady believes Chimaev will take Usman down and finish him, as Usman has rarely been on his back and looked bad when he was.
Cody picks Usman as a dog, arguing that Chimaev has not proven himself against top competition. He points out that Chimaev struggled with Gilbert Burns, who is a former lightweight, and that Usman is a former champion with elite wrestling and striking. Cody believes Usman's takedown defense will neutralize Chimaev's wrestling, and that Usman's jab and experience will carry him to victory. He also notes that Chimaev's lifestyle and lack of loyalty may affect his focus.
Daniel picks Khamzat Chimaev to defeat Kamaru Usman, arguing that Chimaev is on the rise while Usman is on the decline after his title reign. He believes Chimaev's athleticism, strength, and power are superior, and that the Burns fight humbled him and made him more mature. He notes Usman's cardio and durability but questions his knees and motivation, suggesting Usman is cashing out. Daniel expects Chimaev to show he is the next generation and win, possibly by finishing Usman early or outworking him.
James did not make a pick for this fight. He discussed the fight post-fact, noting that Chimaev dominated round one with a 10-8 but gassed out, and that Usman won rounds two and three on some scorecards. He expressed that Chimaev is beatable if he doesn't finish early, but did not state a pre-fight pick.
Usman is a former champion with high-level cardio, great wrestling, and improving striking. Despite short notice, he has been active and can stop Chimaev's takedowns, push the pace, and use forward pressure. Chimaev has question marks about cardio and activity. Expects Usman to win by decision, possibly with a third-round sprinkle.
Paul picks Chimaev, noting that Chimaev has been preparing for a big Paulo Costa and has had time to put on size for middleweight, while Usman is coming on short notice and hasn't added muscle. He believes Chimaev can use his wrestling and reach advantage, and questions Usman's durability after recent KO losses. Paul thinks Chimaev cruises here.
The MMA Guru picks Khamzat Chimaev by first-round TKO. He argues that Usman is used to a physicality advantage and has bad knees, and that Chimaev will walk him down and land a big power shot. He notes that Colby Covington was rocking Usman and that Chimaev is more dangerous on the feet. He also points out that Usman has no power off his back foot and no slickness, while Chimaev has close reach and will push him back.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 120 of 161 | 74% | 123 of 164 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 87 of 205 | 42% | 113 of 232 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 0 | 0 | 5:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 20 of 26 | 76% | 20 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 12 of 42 | 28% | 13 of 43 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 23 of 26 | 88% | 23 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 24 of 50 | 48% | 32 of 58 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 24 of 32 | 75% | 25 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 17 of 32 | 53% | 22 of 37 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 25 of 41 | 60% | 26 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 14 of 37 | 37% | 15 of 38 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 28 of 36 | 77% | 29 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 20 of 44 | 45% | 31 of 56 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 2:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 120 of 161 | 74% | 34 of 69 | 36 of 39 | 50 of 53 | 111 of 150 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 87 of 205 | 42% | 57 of 163 | 24 of 34 | 6 of 8 | 65 of 177 | 21 of 27 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 20 of 26 | 76% | 5 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 9 of 9 | 20 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 12 of 42 | 28% | 5 of 32 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 23 of 26 | 88% | 9 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 8 of 9 | 22 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 24 of 50 | 48% | 19 of 42 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 34 | 11 of 15 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 24 of 32 | 75% | 2 of 9 | 8 of 8 | 14 of 15 | 24 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 17 of 32 | 53% | 9 of 21 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 25 of 41 | 60% | 9 of 22 | 4 of 6 | 12 of 13 | 25 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 14 of 37 | 37% | 7 of 28 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 14 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 28 of 36 | 77% | 9 of 16 | 12 of 13 | 7 of 7 | 20 of 28 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 20 of 44 | 45% | 17 of 40 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 36 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Usman because he dominated the vast majority of the previous fight and has not lost since 2013. He thinks the first round was a fluke and Usman will wrestle and control the fight. He is not betting because of the knockout loss but believes Usman wins.
Big Brady picks Usman but with hesitation, noting he was clearly winning the second fight before the head kick. He lists concerns: Usman's age (35), injuries, travel to London, and the knockout loss. He thinks Edwards' path is a finish, while Usman can win rounds via wrestling and pressure. He predicts a decision win but will not bet this fight due to a bad feeling.
Cody picks Usman based on the belief that Usman was the better fighter in the first two fights and can make corrections after the knockout loss. He compares it to GSP after the Serra loss and Cain after the JDS loss, arguing that great champions bounce back. He notes Edwards is dangerous but thinks Usman will wrestle heavily and win by decision, as he doesn't see a finish. He acknowledges the moneyline is unappealing and prefers Usman by decision prop.
Connor believes Usman's pressure is the key to winning. He notes that Edwards is pathologically pressureable and retreats in straight lines, putting himself against the cage. While Usman has become less aggressive under Whitman, Connor thinks he can revert to pressuring Edwards, who has never shown the ability to hold the center of the cage consistently. Connor also points out that Edwards' evasive footwork is poor and his clinch game is neutralized by Usman's strength. He concludes that if Usman commits to pressure, Edwards has no escape.
Jacob is extremely confident in Edwards, having placed a $1,000 bet on him at +205. He believes Edwards was hampered by altitude in the first fight and still found the knockout. He thinks Usman's confidence is shattered after being knocked out cold and that Edwards will dominate in front of the home crowd.
Usman is a former champion with elite wrestling and cardio, and he was winning the second fight before getting caught. Edwards is a great striker but has defensive grappling issues. Usman should lean on his wrestling and avoid striking exchanges, grinding out a decision. The line is seen as a gift given Usman's proven ability.
Paul picks Edwards, citing the UK home advantage and potential hometown scoring. He notes Edwards had success in round one of the last fight (takedown, mount, back control) and is four years younger. He thinks this could be the end of Usman's elite run. He likes the plus money value and says he hasn't bet it yet but is a buyer at north of +200.
The MMA Guru picks Leon Edwards to win by decision, despite a history of picking main events wrong. He argues that altitude affected Edwards in the first fight, while Usman trains at elevation. Edwards dominated round one when both were fresh, and Usman's glove grab saved him from a choke. Usman is coming off a brutal KO loss, is older, and had a short camp with a hand injury. Edwards is entering his prime and has confidence. He predicts a 48-47 decision for Edwards.
Zane agrees with Connor that Usman should pressure Edwards. He notes that Edwards has never broken 100 significant strikes in a five-round fight and tends to fight down to his competition. Zane highlights that Usman has a history of high output even with wrestling, while Edwards fights in bursts. He thinks the psychological adjustment for Edwards to stand his ground is huge and possibly impossible. Zane also mentions that Usman's wrestling and clinch work will be decisive, as Edwards cannot match him there.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 83 of 135 | 61% | 189 of 247 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 0 | 0 | 10:36 |
| Kamaru Usman | 1 | 55 of 75 | 73% | 64 of 85 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 2:56 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 6 of 7 | 85% | 36 of 39 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 13 of 13 | 100% | 17 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:01 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 36 of 65 | 55% | 47 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 20 of 28 | 71% | 21 of 29 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 10 of 17 | 58% | 38 of 49 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:23 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 7 of 10 | 70% | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 22 of 30 | 73% | 54 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:51 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 14 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Kamaru Usman | 1 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 83 of 135 | 61% | 61 of 109 | 17 of 21 | 5 of 5 | 46 of 85 | 15 of 22 | 22 of 28 |
| Kamaru Usman | 55 of 75 | 73% | 20 of 38 | 22 of 24 | 13 of 13 | 42 of 62 | 7 of 7 | 6 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 6 of 7 | 85% | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Kamaru Usman | 13 of 13 | 100% | 6 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 6 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 36 of 65 | 55% | 25 of 52 | 8 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 27 of 49 | 3 of 6 | 6 of 10 |
| Kamaru Usman | 20 of 28 | 71% | 7 of 15 | 9 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 10 of 17 | 58% | 9 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 5 |
| Kamaru Usman | 7 of 10 | 70% | 3 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 22 of 30 | 73% | 18 of 25 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 12 | 8 of 9 | 9 of 9 |
| Kamaru Usman | 6 of 10 | 60% | 2 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 9 of 16 | 56% | 4 of 10 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 9 of 14 | 64% | 2 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Kamaru Usman to defeat Leon Edwards in their rematch. He notes that Usman is on track to become the greatest welterweight of all time, with technical striking and power, as seen in his knockout over Masvidal. Angelo points out that Usman already beat Edwards in 2015 with six takedowns and 11 minutes of control time, and believes Usman can win anywhere. He also mentions that Edwards struggled against Nate Diaz, getting outstruck and needing takedowns to secure the win. Angelo placed a moneyline bet on Usman at -335 and expects the line to move further.
Big Brady picks Kamaru Usman. He acknowledges that Leon Edwards is the better striker at range, but Usman has improved his striking with power and a great jab. Usman is a smart fighter who will use his wrestling and pressure, taking Edwards down and grinding on him for 25 minutes. Brady expects Usman to win by decision, though he notes a finish is possible given Usman's recent power. He respects Edwards but believes Usman's game plan and skills will prevail.
Cody picks Usman, emphasizing his stand-up improvement under Trevor Whitman, his wrestling, and the pressure he brings. He questions Edwards' resume and his ability to handle pressure, noting that Edwards has struggled in later rounds against lesser competition. He thinks Usman could knock him out but expects a decision.
Daniel Levi picks Kamaru Usman to win the rematch. He emphasizes Usman's superior pace and output, noting that Usman's output is almost double Edwards'. He believes Usman's top control will allow him to bank rounds by holding Edwards down. Levi acknowledges Edwards' paths to victory—slowing the pace and sniping Usman as he closes distance—but ultimately thinks this is a bad time to bet against Usman. He mentions that long-reigning champions sometimes lose when least expected, but he still favors Usman.
Usman's wrestling, cardio, and improving striking should overwhelm Edwards, who was nearly finished by Nate Diaz. The host expects Usman to grapple heavily and possibly finish late. He likes Usman round 4-5 or decision at -155 as a better bet than the moneyline. He includes Usman in a four-leg parlay.
Paul picks Usman to win, citing his cardio advantage from training in Denver, his pressure and wrestling, and the ability to slow down Edwards. He notes the -400 line is too steep but still sees Usman as the winner. He mentions he might look for underdog value elsewhere but officially picks Usman.
The Guru predicts Leon Edwards wins via 49-46 unanimous decision, with two judges scoring it 49-46 and one judge giving it 48-47 to Usman. He envisions Edwards landing effective leg kicks, body kicks, and jabs, cutting Usman with an elbow in round one. He sees Edwards rocking Usman with a head kick in round two and an uppercut-left hook combo in round three. However, he acknowledges Edwards slows down in rounds four and five, with Usman taking him down and landing punches, but believes Edwards clearly won rounds one, two, and three.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 2 | 123 of 293 | 41% | 158 of 336 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 107 of 281 | 38% | 119 of 298 | 0 of 11 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 17 of 43 | 39% | 22 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 13 of 47 | 27% | 13 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 2 | 36 of 71 | 50% | 50 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 19 of 47 | 40% | 19 of 48 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 | |
| 3 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 23 of 58 | 39% | 30 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 21 of 56 | 37% | 23 of 59 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 4 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 23 of 70 | 32% | 24 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 33 of 77 | 42% | 38 of 83 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 | |
| 5 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 24 of 51 | 47% | 32 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 21 of 54 | 38% | 26 of 61 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 123 of 293 | 41% | 80 of 241 | 41 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 107 of 274 | 6 of 7 | 10 of 12 |
| Colby Covington | 107 of 281 | 38% | 79 of 242 | 23 of 33 | 5 of 6 | 101 of 274 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 17 of 43 | 39% | 12 of 34 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Colby Covington | 13 of 47 | 27% | 8 of 37 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 36 of 71 | 50% | 19 of 51 | 16 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 10 |
| Colby Covington | 19 of 47 | 40% | 10 of 37 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 44 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kamaru Usman | 23 of 58 | 39% | 18 of 52 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 21 of 56 | 37% | 15 of 48 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Kamaru Usman | 23 of 70 | 32% | 17 of 64 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 33 of 77 | 42% | 28 of 71 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 75 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Kamaru Usman | 24 of 51 | 47% | 14 of 40 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 21 of 54 | 38% | 18 of 49 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Kamaru Usman, citing his development of knockout power, improved striking, and proven ability to win wars. He notes that the first fight was competitive and that Usman has since shown he can come back from being dropped. He believes Covington cannot win by stoppage and that Usman's power is a constant threat. He thinks the odds are too wide but still picks Usman.
Big Brady picks Kamaru Usman to win by fourth-round knockout. He notes Usman's improved striking power, as seen in his knockouts of Burns and Masvidal, while Covington is a decision fighter without power. Brady thinks Covington's volume will be competitive early, but Usman's power and technical striking will take over as the fight goes on. He expects a similar fight to the first, but with Usman finishing Covington late.
Cody thinks the line is wrong but agrees Usman should win. He notes Covington's pace and durability but believes Usman's cardio and confidence grow as the fight goes on, pulling away late. He expects a close fight and suggests live betting Covington if the line moves.
Daniel Levi picks Kamaru Usman to defend his belt, citing that Usman is slightly better everywhere and that the first fight was a classic war. He notes that Usman has improved his striking and has knockout power, but acknowledges Covington's cardio and heart. Levi is not laying -350 but believes Usman will be slightly ahead and win a close decision. He also mentions that Covington has been training at MMA Masters and may have improved, but still favors Usman.
Jacob picks Colby Covington, believing he will make adjustments and use his wrestling and volume to win a razor-thin decision. He thinks Covington needs to trust his cardio, stay in Usman's face, and avoid loading up on power shots. He notes that Covington was winning the first fight on his scorecard. He has a parlay with Covington and Chandler.
The host picks Usman by fourth-round TKO, citing his power and improvements. He thinks the fight will be close but Usman's power is the difference. He considers the over 3.5 rounds and Usman by KO at +180.
Paul believes Usman wins about 70-75% of the time, citing Usman's improvements with Whitman, knockout of Masvidal, and durability. He thinks the line is close to accurate but sees value on Covington at plus money. He bet over 3.5 rounds at -135, expecting a competitive fight that goes late.
The Guru picks Kamaru Usman by fourth-round KO, predicting he will target Covington's body early, exploiting a weakness found in their first fight. He notes Usman's activity and mental edge from the previous win, while Covington has been inactive. The Guru expects Covington to win the first round but Usman to take over with body shots and eventually finish with a big right hand and ground strikes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 1 | 21 of 40 | 52% | 32 of 54 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 31 of 52 | 59% | 56 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 25 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 23 of 42 | 54% | 48 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 1 | 7 of 10 | 70% | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 8 of 10 | 80% | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 21 of 40 | 52% | 15 of 32 | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 10 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 31 of 52 | 59% | 13 of 33 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 15 | 27 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 14 of 30 | 46% | 8 of 22 | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 23 of 42 | 54% | 12 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 9 | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 7 of 10 | 70% | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 8 of 10 | 80% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 6 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo relays Glover Teixeira's pick of Masvidal, noting that with a full camp Masvidal has takedown defense and striking edge. He agrees with the logic, mentioning Glover's ties to American Top Team and his training with Masvidal. Angelo seems to endorse the pick, calling it good insight.
Big Brady picks Usman to win a comfortable decision. He expects Usman to implement his game plan of takedowns, cage control, and foot stomps, grinding out Masvidal. He notes Masvidal has power but Usman has never been KO'd and has excellent takedown defense. He considers Usman a safe parlay piece.
Cody agrees with Paul, emphasizing Usman's wrestling and grinding style. He notes Masvidal's age (36) and journeyman status, and that Usman's jab and clinch work will wear him down. He sees a similar outcome to the first fight, with Usman winning by decision. He mentions the -425 price is in line with an 80% win rate and that Usman by decision is a likely prop.
Daniel picks Kamaru Usman to retain his belt, expecting him to take over in the later rounds as Masvidal fades. He acknowledges Masvidal's improved conditioning with a full camp and his one-punch KO power, but believes Usman's work rate and pressure will be too much. He notes the odds are wide and calls it a dog or pass situation from a betting perspective.
I think Usman will repeat his performance from the first fight: grinding Masvidal against the cage, using foot stomps, and controlling the pace. Masvidal is durable and hasn't been finished in 12 years, so a decision is likely. Usman's cardio and wrestling are superior. I like Usman by decision at -130, which improves the moneyline odds.
Paul believes Usman will replicate the first fight: grinding Masvidal against the cage, using his wrestling and jab to control the fight. He notes Masvidal's durability and puncher's chance but sees Usman as the superior technician. He expects a decision win, similar to the first fight, and thinks the -425 price is fair but not a value bet.
The MMA Guru picks Kamaru Usman by decision. He notes that Usman had a full camp for Masvidal this time, unlike the short-notice first fight, and that Usman's striking has improved under Trevor Whitman. He believes Usman's grappling is too good and that Masvidal hasn't made significant improvements. He predicts Usman will win with a possible 10-8 round, though Masvidal may take the first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 2 | 83 of 136 | 61% | 93 of 149 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:05 |
| Gilbert Burns | 0 | 45 of 108 | 41% | 55 of 124 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 31 of 53 | 58% | 40 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Gilbert Burns | 0 | 22 of 56 | 39% | 32 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 1 | 39 of 65 | 60% | 40 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Gilbert Burns | 0 | 21 of 50 | 42% | 21 of 51 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Kamaru Usman | 1 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Gilbert Burns | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 83 of 136 | 61% | 56 of 105 | 11 of 15 | 16 of 16 | 54 of 100 | 3 of 4 | 26 of 32 |
| Gilbert Burns | 45 of 108 | 41% | 18 of 75 | 13 of 14 | 14 of 19 | 44 of 104 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 31 of 53 | 58% | 10 of 31 | 8 of 9 | 13 of 13 | 13 of 34 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 16 |
| Gilbert Burns | 22 of 56 | 39% | 12 of 43 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 6 | 21 of 52 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 39 of 65 | 60% | 33 of 57 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 39 of 64 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gilbert Burns | 21 of 50 | 42% | 6 of 32 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 12 | 21 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kamaru Usman | 13 of 18 | 72% | 13 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 16 |
| Gilbert Burns | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The welterweight championship will go to the winner of the UFC 258 headliner, as “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman (17-1, 12-0 UFC) tries to make it 13 wins in 13 appearances against the exceptionally dangerous “Durinho” Burns (19-3, 12-3 UFC). This rare high-stakes tilt between teammates will draw oversight from referee Herb Dean, and surprisingly, there is no glove touch between the two as they share a very intense stare down. Burns rushes in with a home run right hand, and Usman sees it coming and bats it away. Burns loads up on a few leg kicks, and lets go with a heavy body kick. Burns nails Usman with a huge right hand, and Usman drops to a knee. Usman recovers, get stung with an overhand right again, and he is still hurt. Usman fires back, and he clips Burns, but the Brazilian is ready to keep throwing. Burns lets loose a head kick that Usman eats flush, and he falls to his back. Usman does not oblige him by jumping into the submission magician’s guard, and instead stands above and kicks at Burns’ thigh. Burns threatens with upkicks and straight kicks to the knee, and the two are stalled out in this kicking situation. Usman picks up Burns’ leg and scores a series of thudding kicks to the thigh. Usman dives down to land a flush right hand, and Burns’ confident face shifts to one of concern. When Burns springs up, he greets Usman with a knee on the chin. Usman reaches out with a jab, and he lands two more while Burns comes up short with a few of his own. Burns stings the champ with a left hand, and Usman reacts every time he takes one. Usman hacks at the leg with a kick, and Burns gives him one back. Usman drops in a body kick and a low kick, and the two trade these low strikes. Burns gets off a right hand over the top, and Usman takes it flush and lands a few stern jabs. The Brazilian lets fly a head kick, and shoots in for a takedown after his leg lands. Usman pushes him away and blocks a subsequent head kick. Burns connects with a right hand, and a few strikes follow suit in a strong combination from Burns. Usman fires back, and when the horn sounds, the two welterweights smile at one another before bumping fists.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Burns
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Burns
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Burns
Round 2
Burns marches out of his corner to throw bombs, and Usman absorbs a few punches and stumbles as he walks back. Usman tries to recover some ground with several jabs, and he steps out of the way of a leg kick. A piston-like jab finds its home on Burns’ jaw, and the Brazilian retaliates with a head kick. Usman keeps sticking out the jab, allowing Burns to kick his lead leg out. Usman keeps focused landing the jab practically at will, and Burns diversifies his striking game with body kicks, leg kicks, long punches and other strikes that reach the target. Usman stays composed with repeated jabs, and Burns hurts him with an overhand right. Usman fires back with a right hand that is not quite as substantial. Burns rushes forward with a triple jab, and he gets jabbed a few times to break up a heavy combination. Usman winds up with a monster right hand, and Burns drops to a knee. “Durinho” is hurt badly, and Usman drills him with a few more punches as Burns falls against the fence. Usman stuffs a takedown to jab up Burns’ face, and he follows the jabs with several overhand rights that do more damage. Burns’ nose is marked up, and he is resorting to throwing haymakers while Usman marches him down and touches him with the jab. Burns swings with a big right hand, and Usman blocks it only to return fire with a leg kick. Burns successfully lands a pair of punches, and a retaliatory jab from Usman drops Burns to the canvas. Usman tells Burns to stand up, and Dean allows him to do so. Burns, light on his feet, kicks the leg as he circles on the outside. Usman keeps landing jabs, and he eats a pair of big punches to roll with them and land his own strikes. Usman slaps a loud leg kick home, and Burns ducks a jab to attempt a takedown. As Usman lands a few more jabs, the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Round 3
Burns takes the center of the cage to begin the round, reaching out with long punches and a leg kick. Usman fires off a straight jab from the southpaw stance, and Burns crashes down to the ground hard. Dean rushes in to nearly stop the fight, and the champ leaps down to deliver some nasty ground-and-pound to try to finish the job. Burns rolls through it as he keeps taking punishment, but Usman does not let up. As Burns falls to his back, he is hurt and in a bad way, and “The Nigerian Nightmare” keeps pouring it on. Punch after devastating punch crashes into Burns’ face, and Dean has seen enough as Burns is no longer intelligently defending himself. Usman confidently strides in front of the camera and asks, “Who is taking what from who?” The champ is now a perfect 13-0 inside the Octagon, tying the active UFC win streak record with current lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov. What a performance for the champion, who overcame perhaps the stiffest adversity of his UFC career to record an incredibly impressive victory. After the official decision, the two friends and training partners share a long embrace, as Burns lets loose all of his emotions inside the cage. With UFC 258 in the books, the UFC will carry on next week with a Fight Night card in a long string of events until the end of March.
The Official Result
Kamaru Usman def. Gilbert Burns R3 0:34 via TKO (Punches)
Big Brady picks Kamaru Usman to win by decision. He believes Usman has more paths to victory, including controlling the fight against the cage and using his wrestling. He notes that Burns' level of competition is lower and that Usman's takedown defense is perfect. He thinks Burns' only path is a submission, but Usman hasn't been submitted in over a decade. He expects a boring fight but a clear win for Usman.
Daniel Levi picks Kamaru Usman to win by decision, citing Usman's relentless work rate and output. He notes that Usman lands far more strikes than Burns (e.g., 175 vs Colby, 130 vs RDA) and questions Burns' ability to maintain pace over five rounds. He acknowledges Burns' power and submission threat but believes Usman's pressure and cardio will wear him down. He also mentions the former teammate dynamic and that Burns must have fight-changing moments to win.
The host believes Usman is the better fighter with superior wrestling, pace, pressure, and strength. He notes that Burns' impressive run includes wins over an aging Tyron Woodley and a past-prime Demian Maia, and that Burns has never faced pressure like Usman's. He expects Usman to drown Burns in the later rounds with his cardio and clinch work, predicting a decision victory.
The Guru picks Gilbert Burns as a significant underdog, calling it a 50/50 fight that should not have such wide odds. He believes Burns has better stand-up and grappling technique, dangerous knockout power, and the advantage of training with Usman's former teammates at Sanford MMA who know his weaknesses. He also notes Usman's recent broken nose and recovery issues. He predicts Burns will catch Usman in an exchange and win by TKO in the first or second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 94 of 151 | 62% | 263 of 341 | 5 of 16 | 31% | 0 | 0 | 16:38 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 66 of 125 | 52% | 88 of 157 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 18 of 40 | 45% | 25 of 50 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:36 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 24 of 43 | 55% | 34 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 27 of 32 | 84% | 94 of 107 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:40 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 20 of 32 | 62% | 21 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 14 of 27 | 51% | 46 of 61 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 3:14 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 12 of 19 | 63% | 17 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 23 of 31 | 74% | 75 of 90 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 3:37 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 9 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 12 of 21 | 57% | 23 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 4 of 16 | 25% | 7 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 94 of 151 | 62% | 43 of 96 | 49 of 53 | 2 of 2 | 42 of 86 | 39 of 49 | 13 of 16 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 66 of 125 | 52% | 23 of 69 | 29 of 39 | 14 of 17 | 38 of 90 | 27 of 34 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 18 of 40 | 45% | 7 of 27 | 10 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 30 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 24 of 43 | 55% | 13 of 28 | 5 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 32 | 7 of 10 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 27 of 32 | 84% | 10 of 15 | 17 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 14 | 16 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 20 of 32 | 62% | 5 of 16 | 11 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 21 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kamaru Usman | 14 of 27 | 51% | 10 of 23 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 14 | 2 of 5 | 6 of 8 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 12 of 19 | 63% | 2 of 8 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Kamaru Usman | 23 of 31 | 74% | 9 of 15 | 13 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 14 | 14 of 17 | 0 of 0 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 6 of 15 | 40% | 2 of 9 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 8 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Kamaru Usman | 12 of 21 | 57% | 7 of 16 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 6 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 4 of 16 | 25% | 1 of 8 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 3 | 2 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Kamaru Usman by comfortable decision, citing Usman's wrestling and takedowns as the key. He notes Masvidal has been taken down often and Usman is a smart fighter who won't stand and trade. He thinks the line should be wider and Masvidal's only chance is a knockout off his back, which is unlikely.
Daniel Levi leans toward Kamaru Usman, citing his full camp, size, wrestling, and cardio. He expects Usman to use a clinch-heavy, grinding game plan to wear down Masvidal. However, he acknowledges Masvidal's momentum and power, and says he wouldn't be surprised by an upset. He picks Usman by decision, but as a fan he roots for Masvidal.
Usman is a nightmare matchup for Masvidal with his relentless pace, pressure, cardio, and wrestling. Masvidal's only chance is a Hail Mary strike, but Usman's striking is good enough to close the distance and implement his grappling. The line at -225 is great value; Usman should dominate and win by decision. This is the lock of the night.
The Guru is confident Usman wins, predicting he will maul Masvidal. He notes that Masvidal has a 25% chance of landing something big in the first round but doesn't see it happening. He emphasizes Usman's size, wrestling, and the fact that Masvidal is taking the fight on short notice.
Expert Picks (9)
Angelo picks Usman because he dominated the vast majority of the previous fight and has not lost since 2013. He thinks the first round was a fluke and Usman will wrestle and control the fight. He is not betting because of the knockout loss but believes Usman wins.
Big Brady picks Usman but with hesitation, noting he was clearly winning the second fight before the head kick. He lists concerns: Usman's age (35), injuries, travel to London, and the knockout loss. He thinks Edwards' path is a finish, while Usman can win rounds via wrestling and pressure. He predicts a decision win but will not bet this fight due to a bad feeling.
Cody picks Usman based on the belief that Usman was the better fighter in the first two fights and can make corrections after the knockout loss. He compares it to GSP after the Serra loss and Cain after the JDS loss, arguing that great champions bounce back. He notes Edwards is dangerous but thinks Usman will wrestle heavily and win by decision, as he doesn't see a finish. He acknowledges the moneyline is unappealing and prefers Usman by decision prop.
Connor believes Usman's pressure is the key to winning. He notes that Edwards is pathologically pressureable and retreats in straight lines, putting himself against the cage. While Usman has become less aggressive under Whitman, Connor thinks he can revert to pressuring Edwards, who has never shown the ability to hold the center of the cage consistently. Connor also points out that Edwards' evasive footwork is poor and his clinch game is neutralized by Usman's strength. He concludes that if Usman commits to pressure, Edwards has no escape.
Jacob is extremely confident in Edwards, having placed a $1,000 bet on him at +205. He believes Edwards was hampered by altitude in the first fight and still found the knockout. He thinks Usman's confidence is shattered after being knocked out cold and that Edwards will dominate in front of the home crowd.
Usman is a former champion with elite wrestling and cardio, and he was winning the second fight before getting caught. Edwards is a great striker but has defensive grappling issues. Usman should lean on his wrestling and avoid striking exchanges, grinding out a decision. The line is seen as a gift given Usman's proven ability.
Paul picks Edwards, citing the UK home advantage and potential hometown scoring. He notes Edwards had success in round one of the last fight (takedown, mount, back control) and is four years younger. He thinks this could be the end of Usman's elite run. He likes the plus money value and says he hasn't bet it yet but is a buyer at north of +200.
The MMA Guru picks Leon Edwards to win by decision, despite a history of picking main events wrong. He argues that altitude affected Edwards in the first fight, while Usman trains at elevation. Edwards dominated round one when both were fresh, and Usman's glove grab saved him from a choke. Usman is coming off a brutal KO loss, is older, and had a short camp with a hand injury. Edwards is entering his prime and has confidence. He predicts a 48-47 decision for Edwards.
Zane agrees with Connor that Usman should pressure Edwards. He notes that Edwards has never broken 100 significant strikes in a five-round fight and tends to fight down to his competition. Zane highlights that Usman has a history of high output even with wrestling, while Edwards fights in bursts. He thinks the psychological adjustment for Edwards to stand his ground is huge and possibly impossible. Zane also mentions that Usman's wrestling and clinch work will be decisive, as Edwards cannot match him there.
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