Leon Edwards believes a rematch with UFC champion Kamaru Usman would be ‘totally different’ to their first fight over half a decade ago.
British welterweight contender Edwards is likely the next contender to Usman’s strap assuming he can live up to his favourite tag against Nate Diaz next month at UFC 263.
And despite losing a relatively one-sided decision to the current champion when they fought in 2015, he says that he can capture the gold if they fight again.
Speaking with Mirror Fighting as part of the launch of his ‘UFC – OnSide Youth Mentoring Program’ to help troubled youth in the UK, Edwards talked about the differences in both men’s games since that initial meeting.
“Everything is different now,” he replied when asked what had changed in the intervening six years. “When I fought Usman I was 23, young, learning my way and just getting to the UFC.
“I am now a veteran of the UFC, I’ve fought many different styles and I just feel like I am a totally different person from the one I was back then.”
After losing to Usman, his third and to date final career defeat, Birmingham native Edwards embarked on an incredible eight-fight winning streak, picking up victories over veterans Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone and Gunnar Nelson.
And it appeared that he was on course for a welterweight title shot when after beating former lightweight champ Rafael Dos Anjos, Edwards was matched up with recently dethroned welterweight king Tyron Woodley at the O2 Arena in London.