Hiram Moreno
After an action-packed weekend in San Diego, the UFC moves to Salt Lake City, Utah, where the Kamaru Usman vs Leon Edwards 2 bout will headline an evening that will be full of excitement in the world of mixed martial arts.
The bout is scheduled to take place at the Vivint Arena on August 20, 2022 and will serve not only to define the UFC welterweight champion, with Usman putting his title on the line,but as a rematch of the 2015 fight between the two, which saw Leon Edwards lose by unanimous decision in Orlando, Florida.
Seven years have passed since then, and this Kamaru Usman vs Leon Edwards 2 clash will see both fighters put their strength and skill to the test once again. Stay with us at JefeBet, as we bring you an analysis of each fighter and odds for the UFC event.
Picks and predictions for the Kamaru Usman vs Leon Edwards UFC 278 fight on Aug. 20, 2022
- Where: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
- When: Saturday, August 13, 2022, 7:00 PM ET (Main Billboard Kickoff)
- Odds: Kamaru Usman (-380) vs Leon Edwards (+300)
Kamaru Usman
- Odds: -303
- Record: 20-1-0
- Age: 35
- Height: 1.83 m
- Weight: 169 lbs
- Reach: 1.93 m
Kamaru Usman’s time in the UFC has been excellent. The only loss in his entire career came in his second fight and, since then, the Nigerian has been an unstoppable beast in the octagon. Since winning the UFC welterweight title in March 2019 by defeating Tyron Woodley, Usman has successfully defended his title five times.
Two of those five fights saw him earn the “Performance of the Night” award, and three were decided by knockout. Kamaru Usman’s domination has led to his being ranked not only first in the UFC’s welterweight rankings, but also as the organization’s top pound-for-pound fighter.
Now, this fight represents his first bout since November 2021 when he defeated Colby Covington, and he will enter the octagon having a reputation – and a title – to uphold.
Leon Edwards
- Odds: +230
- Record: 19-3-0
- Age: 30
- Height: 1.88 m
- Weight: 170 lbs
- Reach: 1.88 m
Leon Edwards’ unanimous decision loss to Kamaru Usman in December 2015 marked the Jamaican-born fighter’s third loss, but Edwards showed that this didn’t change anything; since then, he has won all nine fights he has contested.
As a result, Edwards is currently rated third in the UFC’s welterweight division. Furthermore, during that period of his career, Leon Edwards became accustomed to fighting every round, as seven of his nine fights ended in a decision.
It should also be mentioned that Edwards has a much longer time without a fight than his opponent, as his last fight dates back to June 2021, when he defeated Nate Diaz in Glendale, Arizona at UFC 263.
JefeBet Prediction
Usman may be the best pound-for-pound man in the world but, will he be in ideal condition for this fight? The fighter has previously stated that he doesn’t enjoy running and that he underwent ligament surgery on his hand, which forced the clash between the two warriors to be postponed.
This is not a surprise, as his 35 years are already beginning to take their toll. Edwards, for his part, is no longer the same young man he was 7 years ago, and now at 30 years of age he has gained experience in the UFC. Although he isn’t known for his knockouts, he has demonstrated his ability to wear down his opponents and win in extended bouts, something that would not suit Kamaru Usman in his current physical condition.
As a result, we’re going to go with the underdog this time, hoping that Leon Edwards may surprise us in the major event of the night.
Prediction: Leon Edwards Moneyline
