When Leon Edwards knocked Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 in August to take the UFC welterweight title, many believed it was somewhat of a lucky shot. But there are likely not many doubters left after Edwards beat Usman again in the rematch at UFC 286 on Saturday.

In what proved a closely-contested fight that went for five rounds, Edwards showed to be a more prepared and hungry fighter. Two judges ruled the bout 48-46 in his favor, while the third judge viewed it as a draw.

Edwards had more strikes, delivering 123 compared to Usman’s 113, while also managing to dodge most of his opponent’s takedown attempts. Even when Usman successfully brought down Edwards on canvas, he failed to make it count.

“I knew I could go out there and take his shots,” Edwards said after the fight. “Even when he was pressuring, not much happened.”

This was an 11 straight win for Edwards, and he will soon have the opportunity to make it 12. UFC president Dana White already confirmed that Edwards would face former interim champion Colby Covington in his next title defense fight.

For Usman, this seems like a definite end of his reign in welterweight. He was the division champion since 2019, but it sure looks like he will have a hard time getting back on the top after two straight losses.

The post Leon Edwards Beats Kamaru Usman Again to Retain UFC Welterweight Belt appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After taking a lengthy break from the octagon, popular MMA fighter Nate Diaz is finally returning to UFC. According to multiple sources, Diaz agreed to fight Leon Edwards at UFC 262 on May 15th.

Reportedly, Diaz and Edwards have yet to formally ink the contract for the event, but both fighters verbally agreed to the bout.

Diaz vs. Edwards is expected to be the first five-round fight in UFC history that doesn’t have a belt on the line. It will serve as one of UFC 262’s main bouts alongside the UFC Lightweight Championship matchup between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira.

While the UFC still hasn’t made the news official, Diaz already confirmed the fight on his social media on Tuesday.

The bout against Edwards will be the first for Nate Diaz since the loss against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 in late 2019. Diaz and Masvidal clashed for the symbolic UFC BMF Belt, with Masvidal ending the fight in the third round via TKO.

Diaz has a 20-12 record in MMA, winning five fights via knockout and 11 by submission. He has second-most Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, and Submission of the Night achievements in UFC history.

Leon Edwards, on the other hand, will face Diaz with nine straight undefeated bouts under his belt.  His last fight against Belal Muhammad in March was ruled Non-Contest due to an accidental eye poke.

Edwards has an 18-3 record in MMA, with most of his wins coming via decision.

The post Nate Diaz and Leon Edwards Agree to a Fight at UFC 262 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

When Leon Edwards knocked Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 in August to take the UFC welterweight title, many believed it was somewhat of a lucky shot. But there are likely not many doubters left after Edwards beat Usman again in the rematch at UFC 286 on Saturday.

In what proved a closely-contested fight that went for five rounds, Edwards showed to be a more prepared and hungry fighter. Two judges ruled the bout 48-46 in his favor, while the third judge viewed it as a draw.

Edwards had more strikes, delivering 123 compared to Usman’s 113, while also managing to dodge most of his opponent’s takedown attempts. Even when Usman successfully brought down Edwards on canvas, he failed to make it count.

“I knew I could go out there and take his shots,” Edwards said after the fight. “Even when he was pressuring, not much happened.”

This was an 11 straight win for Edwards, and he will soon have the opportunity to make it 12. UFC president Dana White already confirmed that Edwards would face former interim champion Colby Covington in his next title defense fight.

For Usman, this seems like a definite end of his reign in welterweight. He was the division champion since 2019, but it sure looks like he will have a hard time getting back on the top after two straight losses.

The post Leon Edwards Beats Kamaru Usman Again to Retain UFC Welterweight Belt appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After taking a lengthy break from the octagon, popular MMA fighter Nate Diaz is finally returning to UFC. According to multiple sources, Diaz agreed to fight Leon Edwards at UFC 262 on May 15th.

Reportedly, Diaz and Edwards have yet to formally ink the contract for the event, but both fighters verbally agreed to the bout.

Diaz vs. Edwards is expected to be the first five-round fight in UFC history that doesn’t have a belt on the line. It will serve as one of UFC 262’s main bouts alongside the UFC Lightweight Championship matchup between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira.

While the UFC still hasn’t made the news official, Diaz already confirmed the fight on his social media on Tuesday.

The bout against Edwards will be the first for Nate Diaz since the loss against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 in late 2019. Diaz and Masvidal clashed for the symbolic UFC BMF Belt, with Masvidal ending the fight in the third round via TKO.

Diaz has a 20-12 record in MMA, winning five fights via knockout and 11 by submission. He has second-most Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, and Submission of the Night achievements in UFC history.

Leon Edwards, on the other hand, will face Diaz with nine straight undefeated bouts under his belt.  His last fight against Belal Muhammad in March was ruled Non-Contest due to an accidental eye poke.

Edwards has an 18-3 record in MMA, with most of his wins coming via decision.

The post Nate Diaz and Leon Edwards Agree to a Fight at UFC 262 appeared first on SportzBonanza.