Usman backs Dana White plan for Edwards trilogy in UK early next year
‘I want to go to England for the trilogy in early 2023’: Kamaru Usman backs Dana White’s plan for third fight with Leon Edwards in enemy territory… as he admits brutal KO defeat was ‘like a Hail Mary in the last 10 seconds of a Super Bowl’
- Kamaru Usman suffered brutal KO defeat when he was one minute from victory
- Leon Edwards dethroned the UFC welterweight champion in Salt Lake City
- Usman is in high spirits and confirmed the UFC are targeting trilogy in the UK
- He believes it will take place early next year and is relishing the prospect
Kamaru Usman is relishing the prospect of a trilogy fight with Leon Edwards in enemy territory early next year.
The recently dethroned former welterweight champion suffered a brutal head kick KO loss against ‘Rocky’ on Saturday night in Salt Lake City.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has had time to reflect on his defeat, snatched in the last minute when he was well up on the scorecards.
Leon Edwards (left) knocked out Kamaru Usman (right) with a sensational head kick
Usman has taken the loss well and is already relishing the prospect of a trilogy
And having spoken to Dana White, the 35-year-old is already looking forward to a trip across the pond early in 2023.
He told TMZ: ‘What else makes sense (other than trilogy)? Look at the division, what else makes sense? I talked to Dana and I’ll let him do his job, we’re going to see what date makes sense, probably top of next year.
‘I was going to squeeze one in this year but it’s probably top of next year. I want to go to England. I feel like England is my second home. England is half Africa, people don’t know that. It’s time to go over there and entertain my English people, what better story.’
Usman beat Edwards by decision in their first fight seven years ago but now the scores are level ahead of what would be a highly-anticipated third meeting.
The dominant wrestler had never been put on his back or knocked out before UFC 278 but is taking the setback in his stride.
‘There’s good hurt, when you finish a fight and know you’ve got two cheques, he reflected. ‘Then there’s the one where you just have one. Hurt is hurt. But I’m feeling good, it’s a new experience but it’s a fight, a fight is a fight.
‘I had to go to the hospital to get scanned and all of that, just the formalities and I was in and out of there. What a shot, it was a great shot, I’m talking Hail Mary in a super bowl, last 10 seconds.
Some fighters prefer not to watch their losses back but Usman is studying the footage analytically.
He admitted: ‘I’ve already watched the fight three or four times. It’s not hard to watch at all. I’ve done that to people. It happens. The beautiful thing is that happens but we forget what was actually taking place in that fight.
Dana White has talked up the idea of a stadium fight in the UK for the trilogy
‘Everyone is more sad about it than I am, for me that’s a good think because it lets me know that people care.’
There’s no bad blood between Usman and Edwards, with both men happy to let their skills do the talking and the former pound-for-pound No 1 spoke of his respect for the Brit.
‘I’m excited for what’s next. I have a rare opportunity now to inspire and motivate, showing people you can fall and get back up. I like Leon, always have, I actually follow him on social media. I’m happy for him and in a sense he kind of reminds me of my journey.
‘It is great for his story and my story. He’s wanted to fight in London for a while and now he’s got a big one. Congratulations to Leon, it was a beautiful technique, what a wonderful Hail Mary,’ he concluded.
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