UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2

By Ben Darvill

19 Aug 2022

Ben Darvill 19 Aug 2022

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Usman vs. Edwards 2 betting preview and odds
Usman vs. Edwards 2 predictions: where is the value?
Usman vs. Edwards 2 betting insight and odds

Will Edwards overcome Usman or will we see a repeat of 2015? Inform your MMA predictions ahead of the Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards fight with insight, analysis, and odds from Pinnacle.

The UFC Welterweight Championship is on the line as Kamaru Usman is set to defend his title against Leon Edwards. Usman bested the Englishman back in 2015 but much has changed in seven years. Will Usman keep the belt, or will Edwards become the new champion? Read on for our Usman vs. Edwards predictions.

Event: UFC 278

Date: August 20, 2022

Venue: Vivint Arena, (Salt Lake City, United States)

Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2: Tale of the Tape

Kamaru Usman made his UFC debut in The Ultimate Fighter 21, defeating Hayder Hassan via submission. On his first UFC card he came up against Leon “Rocky” Edwards.

Edwards was 10-2 (win/loss) at the time of his first fight against Usman but lost the contest via unanimous decision, with the three judges scoring the fight 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27.

Usman comfortably outclassed Edwards by landing 48 significant strikes compared to only 26 from Edwards. During that bout, Edwards seriously struggled to handle Usman's takedowns.

Analysing the Usman vs. Edwards odds

Usman is the heavy favourite with Pinnacle at 1.274* with Edwards at 3.880*.

Edwards’ recent long lay-off due to Covid-19 and various other reasons see him head into the fight as the outsider.

Usman has torn through the welterweight division since the first fight between these two and has beaten the number one, two, and fourth-ranked fighters.

Usman vs. Edwards: fighting styles analysed

The first time these two fighters faced off, Usman was regarded as an elite-level wrestler with significant power. Now, he is one of the most well-rounded fighters on the whole roster and is considered as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.

Since adding coach Trevor Wittman to an already experienced team, he has turned his jab into a hammer-blow and evolved his striking game, winning three of his last five fights via knockout or technical knockout.

As for Edwards, he has always been a very three-dimensional fighter. He has six wins by knockout/technical knockout, three via submission, and 10 via decision.

Usman has very clear advantages in the wrestling department so Edwards would be wise to keep the fight away from the ground for as long as possible. However, Edwards is a southpaw, which will give Usman something to think about.

Edwards put in a punch-perfect performance last time out against Nate Diaz for four rounds but a straight left from Diaz in the final round wobbled Edwards and, with the power that Usman possesses, a mistake like that in this fight would be very costly.

Usman has a 100% takedown defence despite going up against the best wrestler in the division, Colby Covington, twice - reinforcing Edwards' need to keep this fight on the feet.

Statistically they are very similar when striking; Kamaru has a striking accuracy rate of 52% and a striking defence rate of 58% compared to Edwards who has a 49% striking accuracy rate and a 55% striking defence rate.

Usman vs. Edwards: where is the value?

Since his first title fight with Tyron Woodley, Usman has opened the market as favourite in every fight since, with the odds shortening with each dominant performance that he delivers.

He is currently the 1.274* favourite with Edwards the 3.880* underdog, so bettors are advised to look into the method of victory markets.

Edwards has never been knocked out in his 23 professional MMA fights, with all of his losses coming by way of decision or DQ. 47% of Usman’s fights have finished via decision as well, which points to Usman winning via decision as a potential betting avenue to look at.

Are you ready to make a UFC 278 prediction? Sign up today and bet on Usman vs. Edwards with sensational odds at Pinnacle.