Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edward 3 still on for UFC 286, says manager
The trilogy fight between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edward is still on for UFC 286, says Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz.
Usman lost the UFC welterweight title in shocking fashion last August at UFC 278 when Usman knocked him out clean with a beautiful head kick late in the fifth round of a fight he was about to lose by decision. It was one of the greatest comeback victories in MMA history and it gave Edwards the title. The series between the two rivals is now tied up at 1-1 as Usman previously defeated Edwards in the Octagon back in 2015. The plan is for the two to fight next in a trilogy bout, and the hope is that the two will meet in the main event of UFC 286, taking place in March in London.
However, there have been rumors floating around that Usman’s hand is injured and that he might not be able to compete on that date, with photos of him wearing a hand cast floating around this past weekend. According to his manager, Abdelaziz, however, Usman is still good to go for UFC 286.
Taking to his social media to quell the rumors that Usman can’t fight on that date in March, Abdelaziz said this client is still in line to fight Edwards next.
Please enough with the rumors, Kamaru is fighting León next, he is good to go. We bringing this belt back to where it belongs.
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) January 5, 2023
Please enough with the rumors, Kamaru is fighting León next, he is good to go. We bringing this belt back to where it belongs.
With UFC 286 just about two months away, Abdelaziz seems confident that his client will be able to heal from his hand injury ahead of that date. The hope is that Usman will fight Edwards in their trilogy fight to decide who the better fighter is once and for all, but in the event that he can’t go, there are plenty of other welterweight contenders, such as Belal Muhammad, who would want the shot instead.
Who do you think will win the trilogy fight between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards if the bout takes place at UFC 286 as scheduled?
