I actually kind of agree that the rematch will be close but still taking usman. I just thought it was an outrageous thing to say that leon was working towards that knockout the whole fight (yeah I know he trained it)

I feel like he'll play it safer with the stand up and after securing a w it's probably time to retire before facing a hungry khamzat or rakhmanov.

You do like to pick some of the less likely outcomes. If Edwards wins how is a decision a likely outcome? It's quite a long shot, a KO or even a sub seems more likely than Edwards winning on the scorecards.

i don't think it's a longshot. He looked better than Usman when they were both at 100%. Every fighter on that card gassed out fast due to to elevation except for Usman who lives and trains at it. The Rockhold fight was hilarious in this regard

i think he takes it 48-47. Also Usman will be getting booed hard and will be caught on the fence cheating this time.

Here's another possible factor - 2 weeks ago at the main even, refs were breaking up 'stalling' against the fence and on the ground frequently.

If these guidelines are still enforced, Usman will have a much harder path to victory.

big if true

He won one round which I think he won partly because he surprised Usman with a TD, not necessarily because he's the better grappler. Thanks for reminding me of that Rockhold fight btw, holy fuark that was hilarious.

I think Edwards will win again this time now that he's got improved confidence because he's done it before. Usman might've declined a bit too. But I still think it's another fight that's hard to call. If I were a betting man I'd just put a chitload on Fiziev on lower odds and call it a day. Or I guess there's the good ol' parlay.

I don't think he's a better grappler but Usman was outgrappled in that sequence. He had nothing to offer on the ground other than grabbing gloves to avoid the submission, it wasn't like Ngannou vs Gane where Ngannou caught him and just laid on top of him the whole round in side control. Also the rounds he won were clearly his, but they weren't super dominant like people are suggesting.


The confidence thing is interesting because Kamaru's entire thing is being a terminator that marches people down into the cage and can't get knocked out. That might play a big role in this fight.


I think Kamaru a boss though and he'll look good regardless, but I think he'll be slightly deteriorated while Leon comes out slightly better, so I have Leon by decis 48-47.

Hopefully Usman doesn't try to do a repeat of his first fight with Masvidal. Refs need to keep all this hugging and time wasting bs in check.

I keep wanting to say Edwards, but the more I watch their fights, I have got to stick with the obvious Usman choice. It is very hard to come back from a KO like that, but Edwards doesn't have any power so the chances of landing that perfect kick while Usman was sleeping waiting for the final bell are nearly impossible. Edwards is the definition of a point fighter which is not going to happen against Usman's high pressure, high volume, high control fighting style.

Usman's biggest opponent will again be the referee that are increasing interfering in MMA fights making up their own rules to penalize effective grappling that directly determine fight outcomes while strikers are allowed to standing around not touching each other for 25 minutes with no penalty.

Effective grappling should result in submission, not 25 minutes of pointless hugging to milk the bs decision points and put the crowd to sleep. About time referees stepped in and stopped this bs. If you can't submit then get your ass up and fight.

UFC knows what they are doing. They are there to please the crowd and grow their fanbase, not to pamper a bunch of crotch sniffing nuthuggers. If you don't like it then go watch Eagle FC.

I appreciate the intelligent analysis, grow up.

useman dominated 4 rounds last time... anyone else think that somehow edwards will dominate him and win in 3 or 4? I feel like edwards will be much more confident, and useman will fight with fear, and it could affect his output.

Definitely thought about it, but just can't see it happening. Edwards is not a dominating type of fighter, everyone pegs him as this dangerous striker but watching his fights he is very technical but really has no power in his hands and is a pretty heavy grappler. Usman does have power in his hands and is a better grappler. Usman just needs to stay awake and fight for 25 minutes this time, not check out at 23 even if the ref continues to reward the fighters actually intentionally stalling to get saved by the ref instead of making any effort to fight from the position.

Usman may come out a little cautious early but like he did in the last fight but unless Edwards can tag him quickly with a solid, stunning shot to remind him of the KO, Usman will regain any confidence he lost and go right back to applying heavy pressure, putting Edwards back on his heels where he is not very effective.

Usman via bullying

Haha, Don't let them bully you son x10. Annoying but effective technique