Leon Edwards will be seeking to become Britain’s second UFC champion this weekend when he challenges Birmingham fighter Kamaru Usman to a welterweight rematch.
Jamaican Edwards lost to Usman in 2015 when the Nigerian-American climbed to the title at £170. The 35-year-old Usman eventually won the belt in 2019 and has held it since then five times in a row, extending his overall winning streak to an impressive 19 matches.
The last time, Usman (20-1) beat Colby Covington on points to retain the gold medal in front of the American for the second time. The Nigerian Nightmare also scored two successful defenses against Jorge Masvidal, prompting the champion to announce that he was “taking a turn” from the opponent.
A second win over Edwards (19-3, 1 no contest) would return that point, but the Briton is in good shape, having won nine straight fights since losing to Usman. Recently, Edwards, 30, surpassed fan favorite Nate Diaz with a dominant performance in June 2021.
Here’s everything you need to know about UFC 278.
When is it?
UFC 278 takes place at Vivint Arena in Salk Lake City, Utah on Saturday, August 20.
Preliminary qualifiers will begin at 11 PM GMT (3 PM PT, 5 AM ET, 6 PM ET), with the qualifiers continuing at 1 AM GMT on Sunday, August 21 (5 PM PT, 7 PM ET). Eastern, 8 p.m. ET on Saturday).
The main card starts at 3 AM ET on Sunday (7 PM PT, 9 PM ET, 10 PM ET Saturday).
How can I watch?
The card will be broadcast live on BT Sport in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also broadcasting the fights.
In the US, ESPN+ will broadcast the event live, as will the UFC Fight Pass.
Opportunities
Leon Edwards (right) during his decision to defeat Nate Diaz
(Getty Images)
Othman – 2/7
Edward – 5/13
full card
main card
Camaro Usman (midfield) – Leon Edwards 2 (welterweight belt)
Paulo Costa vs Luke Rockhold (middleweight)
Jose Aldo vs Merab Dvalishvili (Bantamwe weight)
Marcin Tibora – Alexander Romanov (heavyweight)
Tyson Pedro vs Harry Hansucker (Light Heavyweight)
preliminary
Leonardo Santos – Jared Gordon (lightweight)
Wu Yan’an – Lucy Podilova (women’s bantamweight)
Shawn Woodson vs. Luis Saldana (featherweight)
Early Qualifiers
AJ Fletcher vs Ange Loosa (Lightweight)
Amir El Bazi – Francisco Figueiredo (Flyweight)
Uriquiling vs Guy Peren (BWW)
Daniel da Silva – Victor Altamirano (flyweight)
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