Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mike Bohn and Ken Hathaway

Video: Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards bicker about style, cars and ‘envy’ before UFC 278 rematch

SALT LAKE CITY – The tension between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards turned up a notch ahead of Saturday’s UFC 278 main event rematch.

During Thursday’s pre-fight press conference, Usman (20-1 MMA, 15-0 UFC) and Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) traded barbs about plenty of things – much of which had nothing to do with this weekend’s fight inside the octagon for the welterweight title.

Edwards has repeatedly accused Usman of becoming too big for his britches as he’s become a more successful and a bigger star in the sport. The champion, however, promises nothing – including his upcoming movie role in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” – has not shifted his focus away from the task at hand.

“Talk is talk,” Usman told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “There’s one thing that got me here, and that’s my work ethic. Success only drives me to work even harder. If they think I’m slipping, it’s going to be a bad night for him.”

Despite Usman’s comments, Edwards stands by his beliefs going into UFC 278, which takes place at Vivint Arena and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ABC and ESPN+.

“It’s not personal for me,” Edwards said. “I believe I am No. 1. I’m out to prove it. He’s just now wearing a t-shirt and closing up his t-shirt. It’s all good.”

Usman said he’s not particularly bothered by Edwards’ insinuations, and said it all stems from the challenger wanting what the champion has.

“If you looked like me, you would dress like this too,” Usman said. “It’s just envy. You look like me, you would dress like me too.”

Watch the video above to see all the UFC 278 press conference exchanges between Usman and Edwards.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 278.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.