UFC commentator and former middleweight champion Michael Bisping believes the UFC will have a new welterweight champion this time next week. He’s backing fellow Englishman Leon Edwards to get the job done against Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 278 this Saturday night, as he discussed on BT Sport.
“This is a tough fight for both men. These are the two best welterweights on the planet. Edwards, come on, the man’s pretty much perfect on the feet.
Bisping Predicts Leon Edwards To Beat Kamaru Usman
I do think Leon Edwards is a completely different animal to Masvidal. He’s different from Colby Covington. Listen, if Covington, as the fight progressed, was having success on the feet, if you don’t think Leon Edwards is gonna have success on the feet, you’re out of your mind.
Look at the fight that Leon had with Belal Muhammad. Up until then [the no contest ruling], he was doing well. He was controlling the range, stopping the takedowns, avoiding the clinch.
If he can do that to Belal, I’m telling you, the forecast is bright and sunny, just like the weather in England is right now.”
Bisping cited Leon Edwards’ recent performances, capping off an unbeaten streak that extends back to 2015, as evidence that he’s the finest striker ever to face Kamaru Usman. His last loss, of course, came against Usman, but Bisping believes Leon Edwarsd has what it takes to take out the champ.
“He’s the best striker Usman has come up against. Leon is pretty much perfect on the feet. And he’s very big. He’s a big guy, he understands striking, and I think, yes, I do think this is probably the toughest test [for Usman].
I’ve got Leon Edwards. And new. I really do. I just think he’s gonna keep him at range. He has the reach advantage. He has the footwork advantage. He’s gonna play a patient game, and I just keep coming back to that fight with Belal Muhammad. Look what he did to Vicente Luque. Didn’t get any of that game going against Leon.”
Kamaru Usman is the UFC’s no.1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter. He will enter the octagon on Saturday night as a heavy betting favorite. Leon Edwards, however, has notable victories over some of the UFC’s most dangerous fighters, including Nate Diaz, Gunnar Nelson, and Vicente Luque. Edwards has been campaigning for a rematch against Usman ever since “The Nigerian Nightmare” earned the UFC welterweight title, and will be hungry to avenge his 2015 loss.
Do you agree with Bisping’s prediction? Let us know in the comments.
