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LONDON – For the primary time in 4 years, Kamaru Usman will enter a struggle not because the UFC welterweight champion however because the challenger. Nonetheless, he spoke as if the belt nonetheless belongs to him throughout Wednesday’s UFC 286 media day.
Are you able to blame him?
Relaxation assured that Leon Edwards is the rightful 170-pound champ heading into Saturday’s trilogy bout at The O2 after he knocked out Usman in their rematch final August at UFC 278. However think about the circumstances: Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC) was up on all three judges’ scorecards and cruising to his seventh consecutive title protection till – wham! – Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) landed a miracle head kick for the Knockout of the Year late within the fifth spherical.
Whereas some people may nonetheless think about Usman the champ given the best way he misplaced, he wasn’t keen to go there – not less than not fully.
“I can’t say that,” Usman instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters at UFC 286 media day. “He has the belt, so by definition he’s referred to as the champion. He’s the champion. I don’t know. That’s for (individuals) to determine. I don’t understand how individuals view him. However between him and I, we all know. We all know. I can’t actually converse for everyone else, however he’s the champion, as a result of he has that belt. However Saturday I’m going to take that off of him. That’s really my focus. I imply, he landed a wonderful kick. It was lovely. …
“It was a wonderful approach, nice win from him, but it surely’s time for me to go in there and get violent.”
One of many intriguing elements heading into the trilogy is what adjustments should be made by each man. Sure, Edwards acquired the victory, however he was dominated for the overwhelming majority of the struggle because of Usman’s grappling and relentless stress.
As for Usman, what’s there to vary when he dealt with enterprise up till one slip-up within the closing minute of the struggle?
“Properly, for one, preserve your rattling fingers up, so that you don’t get kicked within the head. That’s vital,” Usman stated. “Nevertheless it’s been from the start of my profession to the place I’m now, in the event you watch the best way that I struggle and also you’ve seen all my performances, how rather more do I want to vary? I’ve been blessed with coaches that know easy methods to get to me, that know easy methods to give me instructions to the place what I’ve been doing is working. I am going so laborious in coaching camps and making ready for these fights to the place I’ve that a lot of a spot on everyone simply due to how a lot I put together.
“This camp was mainly correcting little errors I made within the struggle. That was the only real function of it. Saturday, as soon as I am going on the market and proper these errors, how does a loss occur?”
Edwards has stated earlier than that the altitude of Salt Lake Metropolis, the place the rematch occurred, had a damaging impact on him, and that gave Usman a conditioning benefit since he’s used to coaching at Elevation Struggle Crew outdoors of Denver.
However about that: Usman has a reminder for everybody.
“The one factor you guys have to actually account for – I do know you guys hear plenty of these excuses from him – is that wasn’t the primary time Leon and I had fought. And that first struggle appeared lots like that second struggle,” Usman stated of 2015 unanimous determination win over Edwards. “So, if he needs to consider that it was the altitude, then it’s what it’s. He can consider that. Nothing adjustments for me. Altitude or no altitude, I do know what I’ve come to do.”
Edwards additionally has stated that Usman shedding the rematch regardless of controlling the struggle is one thing that can mess with him mentally.
All Usman might do was scoff at that notion and demand that he stays unfazed.
“It’s warranted whenever you’re talking about extraordinary issues and extraordinary individuals,” Usman stated. “… When a trauma like that occurs, most individuals are gonna be disturbed about it. Yeah, that’s whenever you’re talking about extraordinary individuals. Leon Edwards and I each know that I’m not extraordinary. I’m extraordinary.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 286.
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