Leon Edwards has insisted Kamaru Usman 's "basic" wrestling skills are not on the level of now-retired UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov 's.
Edwards, 30, rematches welterweight champion Usman in the main event of UFC 278 on Saturday night. A second fight between the pair has been expected ever since Usman outpointed Edwards when the pair where both in the early stages of their UFC careers. Since their 2015 meeting, sman has won 13 consecutive fights whilst Edwards is unbeaten in his last 10 fights.
Usman is currently ranked as the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC and is yet to suffer defeat in the promotion. 'The Nigerian Nightmare' has moved away from his wrestling roots in his latest fights, finding confidence in his newfound striking abilities. Edwards has discredited his rival's wrestling and thinks it can't be compared to the level of Nurmagmedov's.
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"I think his wrestling and what he does is pretty basic, it's nothing like Khabib [Nurmagomedov] or anything like that," Edwards said. "His technique is pretty basic, I think he trains on being tough and the stronger opponent in the cage. His last three opponents are all built like lightweights. I'm going to be one of the biggest guys he's fought, a rangy southpaw that has great grappling."
Edwards added that it would be foolish to cite his first meeting with Usman ahead of their rematch, adding: “[That fight] is just a memory. I’ve watched it back a few times and it’ll be two different fights. Whoever approaches it thinking ‘it’s going to be the same exact fight’ is going to lose. I’ve erased it from my memory and I’m going in there like it’s a brand new opponent, that’s how I’ve planned my camp for it."
Since becoming a champion, Usman has enjoyed the fruits of his labour and often turns up to UFC press conferences in eye-catching outfits. Edwards claimed the money Usman has made since becoming champion has gotten to his head, but Usman has labelled the claim as a big "misconception".
"He looks like that guy from White Chicks... I don't know what's going on. The money's getting to his head," Edwards said of his rival. Usman has since hit back at the claim, stating: "This notion of people who say, ‘You’re Hollywood now. It’s going to his head.’ If he’s thinking that, it’s the biggest misconception – it’ll be a short night for him come Saturday night."
