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UFC 286: Kamaru Usman Reveals ‘Substantial’ Reason He Got Knocked Out Stiff by Leon Edwards

Published 03/18/2023, 1:10 AM EDT

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With UFC 281 just a day away, the anticipation among fight enthusiasts has reached a fever pitch. The main event headliner for the card, Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 3, promises to be nothing short of spectacular. The two welterweight superstars have been diligently preparing for the ultimate showdown, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for victory.

Just before the fight, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ sat down with the former UFC champion Daniel Cormier for an interview. During the interview, Usman discussed his plan for the rematch and even reflected on his last upset against the Englishman. Despite his impressive record, Usman held himself accountable for not performing up to the mark.

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However, when Kamaru Usman revealed to DC what exactly happened at UFC 278 that prevented him from performing against Leon Edwards as planned, it all made sense.

Kamaru Usman was not at his best against Leon Edwards

Ahead of UFC 286, Kamaru Usman sat down with Daniel Cormier for a comprehensive chat. And upon doing so, he reflected on his last upset, too. As Usman recounted his experience, it became clear that the odds were stacked against him, and he was fighting an uphill battle.

“I put myself in that moment and I know exactly what I was thinking, I know exactly what I was planning or what I was plotting for him,” said the 35-year-old.

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He added, “I was setting him up for something, but what I didn’t account for is, I was going into that fight with a pretty substantial injury, that I didn’t of course say nothing to anybody and just got into the fight. So, the injury hindered me from really moving the way I wanted to move.”

“Thank God that’s not the case this time,” Usman concluded.

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With his newfound knowledge, Usman is ready to face his opponent head-on and put up a fight like never before. He knows that this time, he cannot afford to let anything stand in his way, and he plans to leave no stone unturned in his quest for victory. As the clock ticks down to UFC 281, the excitement and anticipation continue to mount, and fans can hardly wait for the two welterweight superstars to take the stage and put on a show for the ages.

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Written by:

Mayur Soni

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One take at a time

Mayur Soni is a UFC Writer at EssentiallySports. His interest in the UFC heightened when he first saw his favorite fighter Conor McGregor knockout Jose Aldo in mere 13 seconds, in 2015. He thus got hooked on the sport.
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Edited by:

Rohini Kottu