Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman wants to see more from the man who dethroned him back in 2022.
Since securing a memorable crowning with a last-gasp head kick knockout back at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, Edwards has gone on to defend the title successfully twice in a pair of pay-per-view main events opposite Usman and Colby Covington.
And like his trilogy triumph over “The Nigerian Nightmare” in March 2023, the champ’s next assignment will see him headline on home soil.
At UFC 304 on July 27, “Rocky” will make the walk inside Manchester’s newly built Co-op Live arena for his third defense. Looking to bring his divisional rule to an end on this occasion is Belal Muhammad, as they run it back over three years on from a no contest at the Apex.
Among those set to play close attention to how the main event plays out across the pond this month is Usman, and he’s called for Edwards bring out a different “Rocky” on fight night…
Usman Urges Edwards To Prove He’s ‘Top Dog’
While appearing on the ESPN desk to analyse the action at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Denver, Usman looked ahead to his division’s upcoming title joust in Manchester.
“The Nigerian Nightmare” had some good things to say about his former three-time opponent. However, he still wants to see more from Edwards as champion, especially when it comes to showing his “killer” instinct to those pursuing his gold from below.
“I like Leon. You know, being a champion, he definitely has real skills,” Usman said. “But I feel like, as a fan now, I’m as frustrated as a fan because this fight should have happened already. It’s been such a long time ago. But I’m glad we’re finally able to get the fight, and for Leon to actually go in there and prove to people that he is high up on that pound-for-pound list.
“I think it’s a good fight. I like the confident wave that Leon is carrying now. I think he understands the responsibility of being a champion; how you kind of have to train, the mentality that you kind of have to have,” Usman continued. “But just a little thing I would like to see from him is that killer come out. If you know you’re the top dog, you gotta prove it to each and every contender who wants your spot.”
If Edwards’ prediction for fight night rings true, Usman can perhaps expects his advice to be heeded.
While the champ’s two defenses thus far have gone the distance, “Rocky” has vowed to put his rivalry with Muhammad to bed by way of a violent knockout in the UFC 304 main event later this month.
