UFC 278 Betting Preview: Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2 Betting Odds & Analysis

UFC 278 is on its way to Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 20 for yet another great card being headlined by a UFC welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman (20-1) and Leon Edwards (19-3). These two have faced each other before back in 2015 on an early prelim card where Usman won a decision with about an eighth of the arena full. 

Now, this Saturday, these two will be facing off in a rematch that will decide who will be the king of the UFC 170-pound division. Two elite all-around mixed martial artists, one with the support of the UK behind him and one with a legacy of one of the greatest to ever do it currently being built. What an exciting night for fight fans around the world.

UFC 278 Fight Odds Breakdown

Bet on UFC 278 for free in Ohio with betJACK Training Camp!

This matchup is very interesting to bet on. Usman, the pound-for-pound king in the UFC, is a pretty sizable favorite at -400. This pick doesn’t really have much value, and Leon Edwards is way too good of a fighter to be a +300 underdog in any of his fights.

They both have gotten a lot better since their first matchup, but the most notable change has to be Usman’s striking ability. He has done such a great job building off his wrestling background with all the skills and IQ he has gained from Trevor Whittman being his coach for these training camps preparing for top-level competition. 

Kamaru Usman

I think Usman will have a solid game plan put together for this one. I hope he looks to strike with Edwards and see if he can find his path to victory on the feet. Be prepared for the first round to be kind of a feeling-out process for both fighters, trying to settle into the range they want to be in and find their shots. Edwards will most likely be the more busy fighter, and that might earn him a round on the scorecards.

I believe after seeing Usman finish these guys in the past, like Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington, and Gilbert Burns, with his straight right hand and jab, it's tough to think he couldn’t do the same against someone that was hurt badly by Nate Diaz in the 5th round of their fight.

Key To Victory/How The Fight Will Go

I believe this is going to be an interesting kickboxing fight with maybe some grappling in there early on, or if the current champ needs to win rounds later in the fight. Leon Edwards has sneaky good skills out of the clinch with his elbows. He has cut a lot of opponents in the past with slicing elbows from the clinch.

If Edwards can stuff early takedowns and put Usman on his back foot, that will be his best chance of winning this one. Edwards seems to have a lot of confidence, but you can never truly know how a man feels in that octagon, especially going up against a killer like Usman.

Another question is how Usman is feeling physically. Getting to be on the wrong side of his 30s, coming off hand surgery, it will be interesting to see how he looks in there physically. He has to have confidence in his wrestling ability just in case something bad happens with his hands in the octagon on Saturday.

Usman has the most opportunities to be victorious at UFC 278. There are some great value prop bets for the under and some that have Usman finishing Edwards, which is a very big possibility. The power of Usman and the skill he has now in his career will be a very tall task to get through for Leon Edwards, who hasn’t really beaten anybody even close to Usman’s level. Make sure to sit back and enjoy the event no matter what play you have on this matchup.