Leon Edwards is set to return to the UFC octagon this Saturday night in the main event of UFC London, where he will face American fighter Sean Brady. However, before this highly anticipated bout, former champion Kamaru Usman has issued a warning to “Rocky” and shared his thoughts on the upcoming fight.
Although Usman has been absent from competition for nearly two years and has no scheduled fights, he remains highly active in the combat sports scene, frequently sharing his insights through media appearances, especially via his podcast “Pound 4 Pound”, co-hosted with former Olympic champion Henry Cejudo.
In a recent episode, Usman discussed the Edwards vs. Brady fight, warning the former champion about the serious threat posed by his American opponent.
Usman: Sean Brady is a Serious Threat to Edwards
During his discussion, Usman emphasized that continuous pressure and strong grappling skills are key to defeating Leon Edwards, noting that Brady has the necessary skills to execute this strategy successfully:
“It’s not just about style, looks, or technique. Leon, there’s one rule to beating a striker like you, and that’s constant pressure. Mixing wrestling with striking, continuously attempting takedowns—this is what destabilizes you and drains your energy over time.”
He added:
“Yes, you’ve significantly improved your cage defense and your ability to get back up after being taken down. You’ve worked on that, and it’s great for you, but it doesn’t mean you won’t find yourself on the ground.”
“Your offensive wrestling is not at its best. A guy like Sean Brady will keep attempting takedowns, and once he gets to the top position, his jiu-jitsu skills are elite, allowing him to control you and possibly find a finish.”
Is Edwards Overconfident?
Usman also addressed Edwards’ recent statements, in which he downplayed Brady’s abilities, saying: “If Belal [Muhammad] could beat him, I can beat him too.” However, Usman sees this as flawed logic, arguing that the strategy Belal Muhammad used to defeat Edwards is likely the same one Sean Brady will employ, making him a serious threat.
Usman added:
“If Leon doesn’t change his approach in this fight, I don’t see a clear path to victory for him.”
Usman’s Prediction: Brady is the Favorite
Usman believes Sean Brady has a strong chance of winning, especially if he implements the same strategy that Belal Muhammad used against Edwards. He explained:
“Sean Brady is a better offensive wrestler than Leon. I think Brady will execute the game plan well—engaging in striking exchanges, mixing levels, securing takedowns, and exhausting Leon over time. If I had to pick a winner, I’d go with Sean Brady.”
Will Edwards prove Usman wrong? Or will Brady pull off a major upset at UFC London?
