Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2 Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Usman Deliver Knockout Against Edwards at UFC 278?

Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2 Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Usman Deliver Knockout Against Edwards at UFC 278?

A long-awaited rematch will be settled with a gold belt tomorrow night when Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman square off inside the octagon in the main event of UFC 278. Both men have come a long way since their first fight in 2015, and Edwards thinks he has made the adjustments to take the rematch. Who will win and be the undisputed champion of the welterweights once this one is settled tomorrow? Let's get into my prediction, pick, and odds for Usman vs Edwards 2.

Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2 Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: August 20, 2022
• Fight Time: 10:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: PPV

Click Here for Usman vs Edwards Odds

Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2 Prediction

Kamaru Usman won the first meeting behind a powerful wrestling approach and an intelligent game plan. The first meeting was also Usman's UFC debut, and he wasted no time shooting takedowns. He landed six over the duration of the fight, ultimately winning by unanimous decision. Usman is 13-0 inside the UFC with two ultimate fighter titles and six UFC-title wins. The only loss of his career came in his second professional fight when he lost to Jose Caceres on the regional scene. Usman is currently ranked as the #1 overall pound-for-pound men's fighter and, as a result, is -360 to win the rematch.

Leon Edwards has had nothing but revenge on his mind since losing to Usman, going undefeated since the loss. He has won nine straight fights and has beaten some of the highest-ranked welterweights to earn his shot at the belt. Edwards entered the first fight as a much more one-dimensional fighter than he is now. He had raw wrestling skills and had horrible takedown defense. He has improved in both areas immensely over the ten fights since his bout with Usman, and he now believes he has made the improvements in his ground game to change the script this time around. He could not get his striking going at all in the first meeting due to the top pressure and wrestling approach from Usman, but if he can fend off the takedowns in this go-around, things could be much more interesting.

The truth is that both men have improved in the areas they lacked early in their UFC careers. In the first fight, Usman had limited striking abilities, and Edwards couldn't stop the takedowns. Now Usman is a highly developed striker, and Edwards has worked on his ground game and takedown defense. Edwards has actually landed two or more takedowns in seven of his last nine fights since losing to Usman. However, he should expect a much tougher fight on the feet with Usman than in the first fight. Usman is coming off a win against Colby Covington, where he displayed a dangerous and active striking game. He outstruck Covington, a striker, 158-119. He didn't need his ground game at all to win there.

As much as I like Leon Edwards and would love to see him as champ, I have an issue finding his path to victory in this fight. If Usman were still primarily a wrestler who could be beaten on the feet, then I would like Edward's chances a lot more. However, Usman's stand-up is improving with each fight, and his striking was phenomenal against Covington. It seems like wherever this fight goes, Usman has the upper hand. Edwards can't rely on pace, either, because Usman has excellent cardio as a wrestler. It's also hard to forget that Edwards was rocked late in his fight against Nate Diaz and was wobbled. Usman has knocked out his opponents in three of his five title defenses. The odds are favored towards him winning by decision in this fight. I like him to land a knockout again.

Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2 Pick

Play: Kamaru Usman by KO/TKO @ +270 (Bet $100 to win $270)

Looking for the best sportsbook offers? Check out the free bets page