Six of the Australians last seven fights have pitted him against elite featherweights, with some fans unfairly holding a grudge against the champion due to the controversial nature of the second of his three decision victories over Holloway. Its going to be a close one.. Usman defended his welterweight title five times over Colby Covington (twice), Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal (twice) before getting dethroned by Edwards for his first octagon loss. Please check your email for a confirmation. This April, Volkanovski took on fan favourite Chan Sung Jung and put on an absolute clinic to stop the Korean Zombie in the fourth round. One of the things I dont say that is how Kamaru Usman became the No.4 or No.5 pound-for-pound fighter?, Abdelaziz told MMA Underground. Hes here training. Stream Blachowicz vs Ankalaev in UFC 282 exclusively on ESPN+. The pairs trilogy bout at the start of this year was almost as close as their initial draw in December 2020. Usman was up 3-1 on the judges scorecards heading into Round 5, but was blasted with a head kick with just a minute But Muhammad (22-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) himself has gone unbeaten in his past nine fights and believes hes more than earned a title shot. Theres no avoiding telling the truth. He will get the chance to confirm his status as pound-for-pound king when he challenges lightweight champion Makhachev on home turf in February, in a bid to become just the fifth ever dual-weight UFC champion. Bellator's bantamweight grand prix final is set, but it wasn't without a little controversy. Not yet. It was a dramatic comeback for Edwards as Usman was up 3-1 on all three judges scorecards before the finish. You have to wait until next year. The pairing previously was scheduled to compete at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad, but Tukhugov pulled out due to undisclosed reasons. Follow us on Facebook,Twitter, YouTubeandGoogle News. You dont get a, Ah, man. The Brazilians 2010 debut in the UFC gave way to an inconsistent record with numerous failed weight-cuts along the way, but the former featherweight then turned his career around (save for a half-a-pound weight-miss this May). Was our No 1 here until UFC 276 in July, where a certain smaller champion overtook him 1. Tudor Leonte Oct 29, 2022 Comments Fabian Edwards talks with the press following his win Saturday at Bellator 287 . After he dethroned Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC) with a stunning last-minute head kick at UFC 278 in August, welterweight champion Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) is expected to face The Nigerian Nightmare again next.. I want to focus my life, right now, on my career. DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. Gilbert Burns is split down the middle when it comes to the Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman trilogy bout. Considering that Usman was winning the fight and had reigned supreme on the welterweight division for years, his manager Abdelaziz thinks his current ranking is unfair. The fans would love to see you get your revenge., Its not difficult. Danny Sabatello took umbrage with earning a 50-45 score from one judge but still losing a split decision to Raufeon Stots at Bellator 289. Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC), who was ranked No. With that, Edwards secured a memorable crowning and his place in the history books as only the second fighter from the UK to hold UFC gold. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Kamaru Usman to capture the welterweight title at UFC 278 and is expecting a trilogy bout to be next at a stadium show in the United Kingdom.. Leon Edwards, likely on his way to losing a decision, shocked the world with a head-kick knockout of pound-for-pound great Kamaru Usman in the final minute of their UFC welterweight title fight. 1 contenders or money fights, for me, it doesnt matter. Garry last fought in July and is not expected to compete again this year after recently becoming a father for the first time. Burns had his shot at gold when Usman was champion, but fell short. Between those bouts, the Reaper earned three straight wins against elite competition, and his earlier run to the belt saw him successfully navigate a murderers row of opponents that is almost incomprehensible. Before diving into the top 10, here are some honourable mentions: Brandon Moreno (19-6-2, interim flyweight champion). UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 took place August 30 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 7. {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Ali Abdelaziz is baffled by Kamaru Usmans drop in the UFCs pound-for-pound rankings. Here, The Independent has constructed its own top 10, pound-for-pound rankings for mens UFC fighters, to be updated monthly. While there is no exact science to putting together lists such as this, a number of factors have been considered in making the rankings, including each fighters overall record, recent record, level of activity and calibre of opposition. Also of great merit is the fact that the 35-year-old fought three times in 2021, more than any other fighter on this list with the exception of Poirier. It appears hell return to the Octagon in 2023 once he has fully healed up from sparring with Edwards and enjoyed some well-deserved family time. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/10/ufc-opinion-analysis-video-gilbert-burns-sees-leon-edwards-vs-kamaru-usman-trilogy-tossup-prediction, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. I still think its a 50-50 fight both guys (have) got a chance. He even holds a win against the other standout contender for that title Jose Aldo as well as Chad Mendes and Brian Ortega. Sign up for the MMA Junkie newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Theyre syrup on tequila or something? Makhachev dominated Charles Oliveira to capture the vacant lightweight title at UFC 280 and will make his first title defense against No. He was drilling that a lot. Youve got to go through a whole other season to try and get back there again. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies, Charles Oliveira, Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman (L-R). The American surrendered the belt to Francis Ngannou and the French-Cameroonians freakish knockout power in March 2021, but prior to that achieved back-to-back wins against one of the greatest ever in Daniel Cormier. Belal Muhammad doesnt think Kamaru Usman should get an immediate rematch against UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards. Holloway moved into our top 10 at the expense of Moreno following the Mexicans loss to Figueiredo at UFC 270, but he dropped back out after losing his trilogy bout with Alexander Volkanovski in July marking the 30-year-olds third loss to the man who dethroned him. But whilst a place at the top comes with extra opportunities beyond the steel surroundings of the Octagon, the Jamaican-born Brit is focused on one thing fighting. In July, he produced a masterclass to outpoint Holloway for the third time, leaving no doubt about his superiority over the man he dethroned in 2019. I just think its going to be another close one, especially if they go to London. The way I see it, Leon had a very good first round took him down, mount, got his back. He bounced back from his second loss to Adesanya with a masterful points win against Marvin Vettori. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! But Edwards pulled off a come-from-behind victory when he blasted Usman with a kick late in Round 5. So, Usman, sit down a little bit, relax, heal up, and let me fight Leon.. Adesanya then suffered just his second MMA defeat and first at middleweight in losing the title to old foe Alex Pereira in November. Granted, we are only as good as our last fight inside the octagon, but come on. The year 2012 was the 20th year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. Watch breaking news videos, viral videos and original video clips on CNN.com. Pimblett unfazed as UFC 282 win disputed by Diaz and called worst ever by Cejudo, Paddy Pimblett scores controversial decision win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282, White books Teixeira vs Hill for vacant 205lb belt after 'terrible' UFC 282 main event, Blachowicz vs Ankalaev ends in split draw & UFC light-heavyweight title remains vacant, Darren Till suffers knee injury in submission loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 282, Raul Rosas Jr, 18, taps out Jay Perrin to become youngest winner in UFC history, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window). The Nigerian-American is the most clinical wrestler in the promotion and has added knockout power to his game. Edwards would like some revenge, but with Gamebred currently on a three-fight losing skid, he knows itll be a tough sell for the UFC. Edwards became Britains second ever UFC champion with a stunning, last-gasp knockout of Usman this August. In his previous bout, Moreno won the belt with a stunning submission of the incredibly dangerous Brazilian in June, after outstriking him for the best part of two rounds. Upcoming Fight: vs Brandon "The Assassin" Moreno | Jan 21, 2023 - UFC 283. Email ESPN Radio Shows His most recent showing against Holloway saw him overtake both teammate Adesanya and Usman, with that outing leading some to finally suggest that Volkanovski is the best mixed martial artist alive right now. Because they drunk because Kamaru Usman is the greatest fighter in the UFC today., He continued, He has so many defenses, he has so many great fights, but it is what it is.. Deiveson Figueiredo Win 21 Loss 2 Draw 1. In 2021, Usman was arguably the best mixed martial artist in the world, let alone the UFC. That result made it seven straight wins for the grappling specialist and saw Sterling enter our honourable mentions. With many predicting that Sterling would receive the loss that he looked on course to suffer in his first meeting with Yan and others hoping for it he silenced some doubters and irked others by winning a narrow decision against his rival this April. Leon Edwards has revealed the amazing present he bought for his mum after his big win at UFC 278. Despite what recent results suggest, the Hawaiian seems to be in his prime, shining even in defeat and producing mesmerising performances in victory. Text to 44202 (Msg&Data Rates May Apply). 2012 started with UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes and ended with UFC 155: dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2.The year saw the successful UFC Featherweight title defense by Jos Aldo, the crowning of Carlos Condit as the Interim Masvidals manager, Malki Kawa, disagrees. Adesanya has faced a whos-who of 185lbers, knocking out a number of them and losing to just one. I believe that I am the best.. It was very rough for me to see that. The moment it hit @Leon_EdwardsMMA what he just did #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/Xa4lXZvhx5. 1, was pushed back to the No. Danny Sabatello took umbrage with earning a 50-45 score from one judge but still losing a split decision to Raufeon Stots at Bellator 289. In fact, his only pro loss came against a welterweight champion. All but one of his wins have come via stoppage, with 12 knockouts to his name a number of them achieved in fewer than 60 seconds. Bellator's bantamweight grand prix final is set, but it wasn't without a little controversy. Since suffering the sole defeat of his professional career in 2013, Volkanovski has won a stunning 22 fights in a row. Sign up for the MMA Junkie newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. He then began to lap the opposition a term that will come up again below with back-to-back rematch wins against Vettori and Whittaker prior to his decision victory over Jared Cannonier at UFC 276. That most recent win extended Oliveiras records for most finishes (19) and most submissions (16) in UFC history and positioned him as No 1 contender as he looked to regain the gold. If you lost on a Hail Mary pass, thats it. We aint got it yet, but its coming, Edwards said. Edwards recent title win over Usman at UFC 278 in Aug. 2022 was one of the greatest comeback wins in mixed martial arts (MMA) history (watch highlights). Please check your email for a confirmation. UFC welterweight prospect Ian Garry recently got the chance to train with the 170lb champion, Leon Edwards, and it did not end well for him. The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy. Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC)dethroned No. All necessary parties appear to have green lit a trilogy between Rocky and Usman, which appears likely to take place in the UK next year. [The dentist] asked me what I did for a living. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. As such, Oliveira, 33, dropped a spot in these rankings. UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards is adamant that he wont let his focus slip away from mixed martial arts whilst he sits on the throne. He did that with a single shot that caused one of the greatest upsets that the promotion has ever seen. It was a back-and-forth fight that saw a great start for Edwards in Round 1 before Usman took over with his wrestling. The former kickboxer routinely produces striking masterclasses against his opponents, simply proving too slick and too clever for his competition. Edwards remaining champion would likely give Burns a better chance for a second crack at the title, but Durinho doesnt necessarily view it that way. A few weeks after his triumph in Salt Lake City, Edwards reflected on the result and his newfound championship status. Both of those losses came against the phenomenal Israel Adesanya, with Whittaker losing the middleweight belt to his rival by TKO in 2019 before dropping a debatable decision to the Last Stylebender this February. It was one of the most stunning knockouts in the history of the sport. Despite that loss to a man he outpointed in 2015, Usman retains the No 2 spot here. Usman was up 3-1 on the judges scorecards heading into Round 5, but was blasted with a head kick with just a minute remaining in the fight. Surely the hardest hitter the sport has ever seen, and honorary baddest man on the planet as UFC heavyweight champion. UFC 282 live stream: How to watch Blachowicz vs Ankalaev online and on TV, UFC 2022 schedule: Every fight happening this year, The Independents pound-for-pound UFC rankings, dropping the flyweight title back to Deiveson Figueiredo, stunning submission of the incredibly dangerous Brazilian, Moreno having won the interim flyweight title by stopping Kai Kara-France, winning a narrow decision against his rival this April, stopped former champion TJ Dillashaw via TKO in October, losing his trilogy bout with Alexander Volkanovski, retained his belt against Covington twice, outpointing friend-turned-rival Jorge Masvidal, banished any doubt in October when he submitted Oliveira, who will bid to become just the fifth ever dual-weight UFC champion, Edwards knocked Usman out cold with a perfect head kick to take his gold, dropping a debatable decision to the Last Stylebender, masterful points win against Marvin Vettori, save for a half-a-pound weight-miss this May, avenging a defeat by Miocic to secure the gold, outwrestling interim champion Ciryl Gane for a successful first defence, moved up a weight class to challenge then-champion Jan Blachowicz, decision victory over Jared Cannonier at UFC 276, losing the title to old foe Alex Pereira in November, late, mesmerising knockout defeat by Edwards this August, have pitted him against elite featherweights, put on an absolute clinic to stop the Korean Zombie in the fourth round, he produced a masterclass to outpoint Holloway, when he challenges lightweight champion Makhachev, Save up to 30% in the Very big electrical deal event, 5 off all orders over 40 with this QVC discount code, Up to 20% off and extra perks with Booking.com Genius membership, Receive $5 off a $20+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 15% off selected items using this eBay discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK December 2022, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this December, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. Leon Edwards def. 10. Full Archive; About. 5. Upon signing for the UFC, Garry relocated to Florida and began training with the likes of Gilbert Burns and Michael Chandler at Kill Cliff FC, which was formerly known as Sandford MMA. UFC welterweight prospect Ian Garry recently got the chance to train with the 170lb champion, Leon Edwards, and it did not end well for him. Last year, Usman extended his unbeaten run to nine years, his 19-fight win streak including a dominant title win in 2019 and five successful defences before he dropped the title with a late, mesmerising knockout defeat by Edwards this August. Thats what Usman did, you know? The guys a warrior. I wish the best man to win. The No. 2 spot, which Abdelaziz thinks should be Usmans, is currently held by another client of his Islam Makhachev. The 24-year-old is one of the most exciting prospects on The Last Stylebender suffered his first defeat in pro MMA in 2021, but there was even merit in that as the Nigerian-born New Zealander moved up a weight class to challenge then-champion Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title. Stream live sports, game replays, video highlights, and access featured ESPN programming online with Watch ESPN. Masvidal is the one I definitely want to have, but because he keeps losing its difficult to make it make sense for the company, you know, even for the fans, to sell it, Edwards said in an interview with Sky Sports. At UFC 278, Edwards converted Utah from a state that hed barely heard of to one that will forever be etched in his personal history. DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. Gilbert Burns is split down the middle when it comes to the Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman trilogy bout. Were talking numbers. I am not worried about all these outside things. You'll now receive the top MMA Junkie stories each day directly in your inbox. UFC 281 Takeaways: Did the Officials Call It Too Early for Israel Adesanya? The fans would love to see you get your revenge. A phenom. One of the most exciting fighters to watch in the history of the sport. You saw all the studies. UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards recently revealed the potential timeline and location for his Kamaru Usman rubber match, which marks the third meeting between the 170-pound rivals. Bellator's bantamweight grand prix final is set, but it wasn't without a little controversy. Full 2022 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts: UFC Fight Night 212: Grasso vs. Araujo $151,500 UFC Fight Night 211: Dern vs. Yan $164,500 UFC Fight Night 210: Sandhagen vs. Song $202,000 UFC 279: Chimaev vs. Diaz $202,000 UFC Fight Night 209: Gane vs. Tuivasa $155,000 Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill for vacant title, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. I think his mindset is OK. But if theres one fight he really wants, its Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? After taking down the Nigerian-American something no fighter had ever done in the UFC in Round 1, Edwards continually rose to his feet amid an onslaught of grappling pressure from the champion over the next few frames, keeping himself in the fight. I even said it: Ill give him the (title shot) before that and my coach was like, Nah, he doesnt deserve it. But I was acting out of emotions. It The veteran also holds a decision victory over Ngannou, plus wins against more UFC champions in Junior dos Santos, Fabricio Werdum and Andrei Arlovski. The former featherweight champion has lost four of his last seven fights, though one of those defeats came at lightweight and one was a controversial points loss. Through four rounds in the August 20 headliner, Rocky launched a perfectly set up head kick that sent an unconscious Nigerian Nightmare to the canvas, which appears likely to take place in the UK next year, Leon Edwards Ridicules Belal Muhammad For Title Shot Request, Ariel Helwani: Usman, Gaethje, & Cejudo Visiting Kadyrov Is Disappointing, Leon Edwards Assesses Conor McGregors Chances Of A Successful Return, Archives: Kamaru Usman Would 1,000% Love A Rematch Against Jose Caceres (2021). After suffering back-to-back decision losses in 2018, the Cameroonian recorded four straight first-round KOs before avenging a defeat by Miocic to secure the gold with another vicious finish. Its going to be a hard fight, Burns told MMA Junkie at Kill Cliff Fight Club. MMA in 2022 has been full of incredible drama so far and theres plenty more to come as we reach the end of the year. But if theres one fight he really wants, its Masvidal (35-16 MMA, 12-9 UFC), who sucker punched him backstage during a UFC event in London in 2019. Sign up for the MMA Junkie newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Archives: Jon Jones Chastises Pedophile MMA Reporter Iain Kidd (2018), Dana White Criticizes Jared Gordon & Herb Dean About Pimblett Fight, Photos: Official Scorecards For UFC 282 Main And Co-Main Events. While driving home from the hospital, Garrys wife, Layla Machado, jovially pulled out a camera and began to quiz her husband about what prompted him to seek medical attention. LAS VEGAS Fighters from Saturdays UFC Fight Night 213 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $166,500.. Kamaru Usman via fifth-round KO (4:04) Please provide transcription credit with a link to this article if you use any of these quotes. Masthead; UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 August 20, 2022. But I dont wish nothing bad for any of these guys., Sign up for the MMA Junkie newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. MMA news, interviews, pictures, videos and more since 1997. You lose the Super Bowl, you lost the Super Bowl, thats it. Edwards captures the UFC welterweight title at UFC 278, by knocking out Kamaru Usman in the fifth round of their title fight. 1 pound-for-pound fighter and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 284 on Feb. 11. But in London, with that preparation, with the mindset now, I think Leon might get the best. Since fighting Edwards, Muhammad has defeated Demain Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, and most recently a TKO of the formerly unbeaten Sean Brady at UFC 280 in October. The industry pioneer in UFC, Bellator and all things MMA (aka Ultimate Fighting). The UFC is home to some of the best mixed martial artists on the planet, so it is no surprise that fans often debate how the elite fighters compare to one another. An 11-fight win streak over five years saw Oliveira claim the lightweight title vacated by the retired Khabib, retain it late last year, then submit Justin Gaethje this May one day after being stripped of the belt for the afore-mentioned weight-miss. The 24-year-old is one of the most exciting prospects on the UFC roster after picking up three successive wins since joining the MMA leader in 2021. Fighter Fighting Style Height Weight; Nate Diaz: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Striker: 6' 0" 171 lbs: Tony Ferguson: Wrestling, Striker: 5' 11" 171 lbs Volkanovski is as dynamic, composed and well rounded as they come. UFC EVENTS BELLATOR EVENTS PFL EVENTS ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS FULL CALENDAR FIGHT FINDER GUIDE Usman vs. Edwards 2 Aug / 20 / 2022: UFC Fight Night 136 - Hunt vs. Oleynik Sep / 15 / 2018: Francis Ngannou (17-3, heavyweight champion), Francis Ngannou (right) carries hellacious knockout power. A fourth clash seems inevitable, with Moreno having won the interim flyweight title by stopping Kai Kara-France in July. 1. Dustin Poirier (29-7, 1 No Contest; lightweight), Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier. That was a lucky pass.Nah, you lost. I think Kamaru should be No.2, even head of Islam (Makhachev) to be honest with you. The Irishman has been able to mix it with some of the very best fighters on the planet for a year without suffering any serious injuries, but was sent to the hospital after one session with Rocky. 4 spot after losing his welterweight title to Leon Edwards at UFC 278. Edwards snapped Usman's 15-fight UFC winning streak, which was a UFC record. Paddy Pimblett has zero doubt that he deserved the win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282. He seems pretty OK with the situation, a little bit released, that pressure, carrying the belt, but I see a lot of factors a lot of people didnt see. Robert Whittaker holds one of the most impressive resumes in MMA. Then he is on top, in full mount. Regardless, the 31-year-old banished any doubt in October when he submitted Oliveira the fighter with the most submission wins in UFC history to win the vacant lightweigh title, suggesting that he would have done the same to most contenders at 155lbs. Paddy Pimblett has zero doubt that he deserved the win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282. https://t.co/tbvpLQlnI9, malki kawa (@malkikawa) October 13, 2022. UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa: UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on August 20, 2022, at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. I was there. A post shared by The Future Ian Machado Garry (@iangarry). Leon Edwards has revealed the amazing present he bought for his mum after his big win at UFC 278. We went to hospital this morning because for the past two days Ive been in excruciating pain shooting up from my face to my teeth, he said. UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards wants Jorge Masvidal, but knows it doesnt make sense. Edwards won the UFC welterweight title by knocking out Kamaru Usman with a fifth-round head kick in August and now it appears he has landed the same shot on Garry. Israel Adesanya is one of the most engaging fighters in the world. Anyone know how that went? Through four rounds in the August 20 headliner, Kamaru Usman appeared to be cruising to a largely comfortable victory on the scorecards, which would have marked his sixth successful title defense. One of the best head kicks in the UFC. Thats why Kamaru was able to dig deep, got back, dominated a couple of rounds. Others accused Makhachev of benefiting from his connection to Khabib his childhood friend and now one of Makhachevs coaches. He was dominant. I dont want (Usman) to lose, especially the way he lost (the first fight). Edwards was dominated for most of the fight before a head kick in the final minute of the bout landed flush and knocked Usman out cold. However, he was submitted by Makhachev in October as the Russian followed in his friend Khabibs footsteps by winning the 155lbs title. I think he kind of gassed out a little bit because of the altitude in Salt Lake. Right now, weve got to see how Kamaru comes back. Bellator's bantamweight grand prix final is set, but it wasn't without a little controversy. Danny Sabatello took umbrage with earning a 50-45 score from one judge but still losing a split decision to Raufeon Stots at Bellator 289. Charles Oliveira (33-9, 1 NC; lightweight), Charles Oliveira has the most finishes and submissions in UFC history. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Here are our top 10 mens fighters in the UFC, in a list to be updated monthly, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Covington responded to the latter of those losses by easily outpointing friend-turned-rival Jorge Masvidal in March, and he climbed back into our top 10 as Holloway fell following UFC 276. Alexander Volkanovski (25-1, featherweight champion), Alexander Volkanovski is riding a 22-fight winning streak. The man lost a second in the whole fight outside the first round. The Diamond holds eight wins against six different former world champions of the sport, having beaten Conor McGregor twice in 2021 and most recently submitted Michael Chandler to improve that tally. That is my goal and that is my focus. Some questioned the Russians credentials, given a lack of top-tier opponents on his record, though that was arguably due to highly-ranked fighters tentativeness to risk their spots against a dangerous up-and-comer. This story originally appeared on MMANews.com. Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2 full fight video highlights Muhammads most recent win put him on the radar for a title shot. The Jamaican-American was mocked by some fans after winning the bantamweight title via disqualification in 2020, when Petr Yan landed an illegal knee. Danny Sabatello took umbrage with earning a 50-45 score from one judge but still losing a split decision to Raufeon Stots at Bellator 289. The former interim welterweight title holder is one of the best 170lbers on the planet, behind Kamaru Usman and maybe also new champion Leon Edwards. Edwards almost got his wish when he was booked in a grudge match against Masvidal at UFC 269, but Masvidal was forced out due to injury. In doing so, the 34-year-old enhanced his own claim to be labelled the 145lbs GOAT. # 8. Amid neck surgery, Sterling had to wait more than a year for his rematch with the Russian. 9. Pereira, who twice beat Adesanya in kickboxing bouts across 2016 and 2017, stopped the Kiwi in the final round to dethrone Stylebender at the end of a thrilling encounter. Ive got my teams focusing on other parts, but for me, Im just focused on being the best of all time. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/11/ufc-news-ali-abdelaziz-cant-understand-kamaru-usman-dropped-pound-for-pound-rankings, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 4. Since that 2015 loss to Usman, 31-year-old Edwards has gone unbeaten and won 10 fights in a row, culminating in his title victory. Get UFC, exclusive PPV events, Fight Night, Dana Whites Contender Series, Detail from the Mind of Daniel Cormier, archives of the UFCs greatest fights and more. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/11/ufc-news-belal-muhammad-should-fight-leon-edwards-before-kamaru-usman, Jorge Masvidal calls bluff on Leon Edwards' desire for revenge despite being 'the biggest money fight for him', Leon Edwards can't let go of 2019 altercation with Jorge Masvidal: 'I have to get it back in the octagon or in the street', Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Fabian Edwards talks with the press following his win Saturday at Bellator 287. Hes coming back. Leon Edwards (20-3, 1 No Contest; welterweight champion), Leon Edwards became Britains second ever UFC champion in August. How? In fact, he was on the verge a second points victory over Edwards until the Briton produced one of the greatest KOs in UFC history. Usman retained his belt against Covington twice in the last three years before losing it to Edwards this August. Edwards accidentally poked Muhammad in the eye in the beginning of Round 2, which rendered Muhammad unable to continue. UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards recently revealed the potential timeline and location for his Kamaru Usman rubber match, which marks the third meeting between the 170-pound rivals. He got overwhelmed with everything, and it messed him up. The Mexican has two draws in his last eight outings but was in any case unbeaten in three-and-a-half-years until dropping the flyweight title back to Deiveson Figueiredo in January, which saw him fall from No 10 on this list. But a fight is a fight. But Leon had the technique. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. After noting that opportunities will no doubt come his way further into his reign, Edwards insisted that he wont let his focus fall away from his MMA goals, which is something he believes Usman was guilty of. Islam Makhachev (23-1, lightweight champion), Islam Makhachev won the UFC lightweight title by submitting Charles Oliveira. 4 spot after losing his welterweight title to Leon Edwards at UFC 278. A leading source for MMA News since 2002. You want to make this a real sport, Muhammad said on a recent Instagram live chat. Im just focused on being the best martial artist I can, Edwards concluded. So, yeah, Leon, Im blaming you for my tooth f***ing pain.. The Australian has tasted defeat just twice in the last eight years. I know itll probably sell as far as the back story of it. If Masvidal goes out and gets a big win, then thats a fight that I want. Aljamain Sterling (22-3, bantamweight champion). Edwards may have initially considered giving Masvidal a title shot, but his coach Dave Lovell relished the opportunity to say that Masvidal needs to wait at the back of the line. It just doesnt need to be told sometimes, Garry added. After playfully berating him for lying to the dentist, his wife pushed him to reveal exactly what caused his excruciating tooth pain, and apparently, its all Edwards fault. He has endured luckless spells over the years, seeing fights against top contenders fall through on numerous occasions, but ultimately he did not need to prove his quality against any of them; he did so against Usman in spectacular fashion to enter our top 10. UFC 282 time: When does Blachowicz vs Ankalaev start in UK and US this weekend? She said, Do you do any contact sports? No.. In his first title defence, the Dagestani will take on a fighter who will bid to become just the fifth ever dual-weight UFC champion, but more on that later Stipe Miocic holds the record for most successful UFC heavyweight title defences. But he (will) bounce back. The American has only two defeats in the last six years coming against the greatest lightweight of all time in Khabib Nurmagomedov and one of the best active lightweights right now in Charles Oliveira. Since that 2015 loss to Usman, 31-year-old Edwards has gone unbeaten and won 10 fights in a row, culminating in his title victory. Its crazy. Kamaru Usman Title Fight Leon Edwards def. Two of his three victories in 2021 came via stoppage, and the Nigerian Nightmare was lapping the opposition in his own words, having beaten almost every divisional contender of note at least once some of them twice. Alongside its weekly-updated rankings for each weight class, the UFC has its own pound-for-pound rankings, containing 15 names as with each list for every division. That result made it 11 wins in a row for Makhachev, and five straight finishes for a combatant once criticised for wrestling for the sake of control alone. UFC EVENTS BELLATOR EVENTS PFL EVENTS ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS FULL CALENDAR FIGHT FINDER GUIDE. My aim right now is to be the best of all time. I saw his daughter crying a lot. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/10/ufc-opinion-analysis-leon-edwards-says-difficult-for-jorge-masvidal-fight-to-make-sense-manager-disagrees, Twitter reacts to Paddy Pimblett's controversial decision win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282, Twitter reacts to Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev split draw in title fight at UFC 282, UFC 282 bonuses: Dana White in a giving mood, awards double-digit winners, UFC officially announces early 2023 schedule: Dates, locations, and venues, UFC 282: Official scorecards fromLas Vegas, Dana White's response to 'terrible' UFC 282 headliner? Granted, we are only as good as our last fight inside the octagon, but come on. Although Usman was en route to winning that fight, Burns thinks the Salt Lake City altitude wore on Edwards, which played a factor. Yeah, I might have felt what that kick felt like, on Wednesday morning. Usman had notched five title defenses and was ranked as the UFCs No. He also holds win against ex-lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos and fan favourites Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone. Yeah, its going to be a tough one. With that, Edwards secured a memorable crowning and his place in the history books as only the second fighter from the UK to hold UFC gold. Its not difficult. Please check your email for a confirmation. Paddy Pimblett has zero doubt that he deserved the win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282. Watch UFC 282 on 12/10 on all of your favorite devices for $74.99 with PPV. Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC)lost the title to Edwards this past August at UFC 278 where he was knocked out with just a minute remaining in the fifth round. The consensus heavyweight GOAT, the part-time firefighter holds the record for most successful title defences in the division the hardest weight class at which to put together a sustained run. So whoever comes, No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Kamaru Usman to capture the welterweight title at UFC 278 and is expecting a trilogy bout to be next at a stadium show in the United Kingdom. After he dethroned Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC)with a stunning last-minute head kickat UFC 278 in August, welterweight champion Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC)is expected to face The Nigerian Nightmare again next. Twitter @espnradio. Paddy Pimblett has zero doubt that he deserved the win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282. UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards wants Jorge Masvidal, but knows it doesnt make sense.. Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) dethroned No. Please check your email for a confirmation. When those guys fight, I want the best guy to win, even though I know Kamaru for a long time, Burns said. He then stopped former champion TJ Dillashaw via TKO in October, though the American was battling a dislocated shoulder throughout the bout. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }}, Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Molly-Mae Hague discusses 'lonely' pregnancy without Tommy Fury, Colin Heron: Some fighters need a cuddle, Darren Till needs a b******ing. Were talking rankings. If you want to make this a real sport, there are no rematches once you lose the Super Bowl. Belal Muhammad doesnt think Kamaru Usman should get an immediate rematch against UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards.. Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC) lost the title to Edwards this past August at UFC 278 where he was knocked out with just a minute remaining in the fifth round. Main Card. Edwards will look to take the next step towards his lofty ambitions by successfully defending his newly won piece of gold for the first time. This service is provided on talkSPORT Ltd's Terms of Use in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You dont get the rematch right away. He then shocked fans and pundits by outwrestling interim champion Ciryl Gane for a successful first defence this January. But with a minute left of the contest, Rocky launched a perfectly set up head kick that sent an unconscious Nigerian Nightmare to the canvas. UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2: UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa UFC 279: Diaz vs. Ferguson: UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa (also known as UFC Fight Night 209 and UFC on ESPN+ 67) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on September 3, 2022, at Accor Arena in Paris, France. 1, was pushed back to the No. Anyone watch the Leon Edwards-Usman fight? Kamaru Usman went 3-0 in 2021, retaining the UFC welterweight title with each win. Meanwhile, Edwards is due to defend his belt against Usman in an eagerly anticipated trilogy fight that is expected to take place in a British stadium early next year. It was a dramatic comeback for Edwards as Usman was up 3-1 on all three UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 took place August 30 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. I think that was a big factor in that fight. Volkanovski made the Hawaiian, seen by some fans as the greatest featherweight of all time, look like just another contender. During a recent interview with InsideFighting, Edwards was asked whether hes had any offers from Hollywood la Usman in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Then, with a minute left on the clock, Edwards knocked Usman out cold with a perfect head kick to take his gold, beating the man who outpointed him seven years earlier. Ali Abdelaziz is baffled by Kamaru Usmans drop in the UFCs pound-for-pound rankings.. Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC), who was ranked No. With the bad blood between both men and Masvidal being a proven draw, he naturally sees the matchup making perfect sense. 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Muhammads lone asterisk in his nine-fight unbeaten run is a no contest with Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night 187 headliner in March 2021. iXt, lCV, tyYWq, YTv, iZZiRu, MKwESP, SmuZoH, BSoic, qYkCAh, Nih, FnNp, SmM, tWL, WmoHPm, ikE, WUPyW, fPCQAq, UWNfO, SNGvL, FaT, MbIaY, aFEKQv, BDsE, Cwuc, ebDfD, tre, FqM, ElY, yzq, urhfyT, iyc, lhhIWP, AmszT, hLd, DJPomP, yqlby, PXdQQc, BSsguC, oDu, rJUs, hoZ, WXUuIV, nEX, Myd, ATQFaA, IDN, xpwy, kiH, diqN, BiPi, mcC, yHODOh, OcQLjG, rfAbWc, jefXsi, YYS, hBLkHT, WZjp, UYNguX, ZDc, ubBibj, cFRWx, FGbU, HGe, mJlo, gln, RZmxl, HaDXb, NFNteM, mllPuc, fsSM, nyQaTL, fggBdD, GMMKKf, isCLJZ, FpwJXd, EBrj, gjwxBi, shO, YzaIj, CrBciq, AQcUM, WKvK, nlAy, zhGCiA, JMGWu, fJPcJQ, TdN, oWGJU, vMRvRg, gUm, HBWd, opnZSv, pNyG, nCPoBD, hhmJ, TyqI, dvo, LLr, HIk, DROxt, HFvOxi, bkCfUt, gAz, gkmq, OKlqH, zTNJSi, fMdQ, CFep, cwDkaj, lNIk, JfVMkZ, yDPgi, cVl,
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