LEON EDWARDS is ready for Kamaru Usman's best version - despite the whispers that the welterweight champion may have lost his mind.
Edwards, 30 years old, will attempt to end Nigerian Nightmare’s dominance over the 170lb division in Sunday's main event at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City.
Leon Edwards will face Kamaru Usman in UFC 278 at 7:30 AM on Sunday.
Nigerian Nightmare Usman flirted with boxing, and recently landed a role in a movie
Rocky, however, has made preparations for the best Usman before their rematch
Edwards was defeated by Pound-for–Pound king Usman in their first fight seven-years ago
Usman defends his sixth title amid calls for Canelo Alvarez to fight him in a lucrative cross-over bout and his pursuit of a role as Black Panther's sequel.
While some may believe that the UFC's pound for pound king might be one step away from the exit, Edwards is not.
SunSport spoke with the pride of Birmingham: "I'm preparing to get the best and so-called pound for pound that everyone thinks I am."
"It is unfair to think that he might not be getting up for his runs or training as hard, and that he might not be doing them," I will say.
Edwards isn't going to underestimate his opponent since he started MMA at age 17.
He said, "And then I'll be like: 'Okay. I can take it all.' I am preparing for the so called No.1 that everyone says he is."
Edwards, regardless of Usman’s preparation, is confident that he will put a beating on Usman and become Britain's second UFC champion.
He stated that he didn't care if he was training or taking me lightly. "I'm going to whip him to become a world champion."
Usman has been annoyed by the notion that he is not as committed to the sport now as he was once.
"When I was in college, I ate $5 Little Caesars pizza for two days and ate ramen noodles for a week.
"I longed to be able to say that I had achieved this goal. To the point where I could go to any steakhouse I wanted, and tell my parents, "You guys want me to go there?" I got you. Let's go.
"I've always wished for that. That's why I worked hard to reach that goal. That was the result of my hard work.
"But that doesn’t stop me. Dwayne Johnson is bigger than me. I am not larger than him so I need to work harder.
"So, this idea of people saying, "You're Hollywood now." It's all going to his head.
"If he thinks that, it is the greatest misconception - Saturday night will be a short one for him."
Edwards was defeated by Usman, now 35, in their first clash seven year ago. Usman won a decision victory in his Octagon debut.
Since that Florida night, both men have not tasted defeat. Edwards won nine of his last ten while Usman won 13.
