- Kamaru Usman picked between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington ahead of UFC 296
- “The Nigerian Nightmare” thinks “Rocky” should be happy with how “Chaos” sells fights
Kamaru Usman made an interesting point why he thinks Leon Edwards could beat Colby Covington at UFC 296. The former welterweight champ also pointed out that “Rocky” should be thankful that “Chaos” is generating money for their fight.
Leon is confident
Speaking to DC & RC, “The Nigerian Nightmare” admitted that even though he faced both Edwards and Covington more than once in the past, he couldn’t tell who’s gonna be the better fighter at UFC 296. However, Usman believes that “Rocky” could have the edge as Edwards has been convinced that he became the best in the world when he defeated him twice.
“We know that when you’ve been gone for a year and some change, certain guys react differently to that,” Usman suggested. “We just don’t know how much that time is going to affect him, and that’s what scares me with Colby Covington. If it’s not that time, I’m going one hundred percent with Colby Covington.”
“Leon Edwards believes that he is the best welterweight on the planet right now because he got his hand raised fighting Kamaru Usman. So, I do believe he’s carrying that confidence and he’s going, ‘Well he beat him twice, I definitely can beat this guy twice,'” he added. “I think Leon believes in that, and just for that dumb confidence alone, I’m gonna go with Edwards.”
Leon should thank Colby
Covington confirmed that former U.S. president Donald Trump will come to support him at UFC 296. He then blasted Edwards for having no famous personality in his circle.
When asked who’s the bigger star between the two, Usman flat out admitted that it’s Covington. For Usman, Edwards should be “grateful” for Covington’s star power even if he believes UFC is favoring “Chaos.”
“Undeniably, it’s Colby Covington,” Usman said. “Because of what he’s able to do. Like, if I’m in a room with Leon Edwards, Leon could be on the opposite side of the room and I’ll be on the other and everything will be just fine. If Colby Covington’s on the opposite side of the room, everybody in between in that room is nervous. I guarantee you, nervous of what could happen.”
“So, undeniably, when you have that, and you’re able to make people feel a certain way about you, that’s what sets them apart from everyone. I don’t know if that’s particularly the route I would have went, but it’s what Colby has done and what has made him a star,” he continued.
“Over time, it sounds like whining because Edwards doesn’t necessarily realize that you have to be grateful for a guy that can move the needle because no one got into this to do it for free. No one got him to do it for free. Be grateful for a guy like that, that’s coming along, that’s going to move the needle because he’s going to get you paid. Your job is to go in there and win regardless, so you go in there and win and this guy gets you paid, that’s what you want,” he added.
UFC 296 is just days away from happening. Edwards will look to defend his welterweight title for the second time, while Covington is out to prove that he is the best fighter in the division.
Check out Usman’s full interview below:
