Whether it’s in preventing or on movie, it may be difficult to assemble an ideal trilogy. But the nice ones? The good ones supply one thing distinctive with every new instalment.
In 2015, Kamaru Usman secured a cushty win over Leon Edwards with a supreme wrestling efficiency. Last summer season, a sequel lengthy within the making ended with Edwards knocking out Usman – the Jamaican-born Briton taking the welterweight title from his previous foe with a head kick from the gods. Then, on Saturday night time in London, the saga concluded at UFC 286.
There was no dominant show from Usman, no divine strike on the dying from Edwards; in the end, the latter’s self-discipline – and lack thereof, at occasions – proved decisive.
Edwards, 31, cemented his iconic title-win in Salt Lake City by outpointing Usman, 35, in a nervy affair in London. Edwards began and completed sturdy, threatening to snap the Nigerian-American’s shins with leg kicks and neutralising Usman’s grappling offence all through; however in Round 3, Edwards was docked a degree for an unlawful fence-grab, after being warned for holding Usman’s glove and grazing the challenger’s groin with not less than one kick.
Crucially, nonetheless, Edwards regained his composure and reasserted his high quality within the ultimate stretch. In doing so, “Rocky” proved that he’s certainly the higher fighter proper now. And so he’ll transfer on from this trilogy with Usman, however who’s subsequent for the champion?
Below, The Independent breaks down the contenders for the subsequent title shot.
Colby Covington
For: The former interim champion is aware of how you can promote a combat, even when he pushes the boundaries of acceptability by tapping right into a pro-Donald Trump rhetoric at each alternative. The American’s final combat was a dominant win over friend-turned-rival Jorge Masvidal, and Covington weighed in as a shock back-up fighter for Saturday’s important occasion, finishing a weight-cut and travelling to London with no assure of competing. The UFC tends to reward fighters who do such favours. In truth, on the UFC 286 post-fight press convention, UFC president Dana White mentioned Covington can be subsequent for Edwards.
Against: Covington has already come up brief in his two undisputed-title fights within the UFC – shedding to Usman each occasions – and has not fought for 12 months. By the time a possible conflict with Edwards would happen, the 35-year-old wouldn’t have competed for round 18 months. Furthermore, whereas he beat Masvidal in spectacular trend final trip, Masvidal was already previous his prime and represented a really perfect stylistic match-up for Covington.
Jorge Masvidal
For: This is the combat that Edwards needs most, and that’s as a result of there’s historical past between himself and the American. Masvidal sucker-punched Edwards backstage at UFC London in 2019, and “Rocky” has wished revenge ever since. Masvidal, regardless of his poor current document, remains to be one of many greatest names within the UFC, and a combat towards Edwards can be a straightforward promote in a story sense.
Against: First of all, Masvidal is preventing Gilbert Burns in April, and the latter is actually the favorite to emerge victorious. Even if Masvidal triumphs in that bout, such a consequence would mark his first win in three-and-half years, and snapping a three-fight shedding streak doesn’t are likely to qualify you for a title shot. Speaking of title fights, Masvidal has misplaced each of his pictures on the gold – towards Usman each occasions, identical to Covington. And Speaking of Covington, “Chaos” dominated Masvidal in every man’s final bout. Days later, Masvidal was charged with an alleged assault of Covington in Miami.
Khamzat Chimaev
For: Chimaev and Edwards had been as a consequence of combat in 2021, earlier than the competition fell by means of. The unbeaten Russian-born Swede is a wrecking ball who appears destined to be champion someday, so there’s an argument for getting him right into a title combat sooner somewhat than later. He can be one of many UFC’s fastest-rising stars, and a conflict with Edwards can be even greater now than it could have been two years in the past.
Against: Although Chimaev’s final combat was a dominant win over Kevin Holland, whom the “Wolf” submitted in Round 1, that bout befell after Chimaev missed weight badly and wrecked his deliberate contest with Nate Diaz – in addition to the complete UFC 279 card. Chimaev, 28, should both decide to welterweight or transfer as much as middleweight. If he stays at 170lbs, he wants yet one more win – towards a high contender – to earn a title shot.
Belal Muhammad
For: The American is one other man with historical past with Edwards. The pair fought in 2021 and, though Edwards simply outclassed Muhammad in Round 1, the bout ended early within the second body as a consequence of a watch poke by the Briton. Muhammad has since gone on his finest run so far, outpointing Vicente Luque and title challengers Demian Maia and Stephen Thompson, earlier than knocking out Sean Brady final trip. Muhammad, 34, is in the identical place that Edwards occupied for therefore lengthy: He is a well-rounded fighter on an extended win streak, who’s simply not getting his likelihood.
Against: The purpose Muhammad has not gotten his likelihood is as a result of, sadly, he’s not the best fighter to market. Although Muhammad has an endearing character and an excellent sense of humour, he doesn’t exhibit these traits almost sufficient.
Gilbert Burns
For: After Chimaev, Burns gives probably the most attention-grabbing stylistic match-up for Edwards. The Brazilian is likely one of the most proficient jiu-jitsu practitioners within the UFC, and he additionally holds appreciable energy in his arms. While Burns’ current document is blended, his solely losses within the final 5 years have been a slim resolution towards Chimaev in 2022’s combat of the 12 months, and a TKO by Usman in a 2021 title combat wherein Burns scored a knockdown.
Against: Burns, 36, should first get previous Masvidal in April, although he’s admittedly the favorite in that combat. If he had been to beat “Gamebred”, Burns would nonetheless solely be 3-2 in his final 5 bouts.