Kamaru and Leon Edwards talk tough ahead Saturday night fight 

Nigeria-born UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and British Leon Edwards have both been talking tough ahead of Saturday's eagerly anticipated title fight.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ will look to defend his belt for the sixth time when he takes on Edwards in the UFC 278 main event at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday night.

After both fighters successfully made weight all that was left to do was square them off one last time before they trades blows inside the Octagon.

At the ceremonial weigh-ins, Usman and Edwards shared a long and intense face-off. No words were exchanged but both of their jaws twitched with anticipation ahead of their second meeting.

“It’s been a long time coming and finally our paths cross. Saturday night I put that pound-for-pound thing to the test and let’s see,” Edwards said to Joe Rogan after his final staredown with Usman.

Usman replied: “So much has been said. Leon’s said a lot and he truly believes that but one thing I have to say is… Taking what from who?”

The UFC 278 main event is a rematch seven years in the making after Usman and Edwards previously clashed back in 2015 when they were both relatively unknown fighters.

‘Rocky’ started well in the fight but ultimately succumbed to the relentless wrestling attacks of his opponent, who has since strung together 13 successive wins to cement himself as one of the best fighters of all time.

The 35-year-old champion holds wins over the likes of Colby Covington (x2), Jorge Masvidal (x2), Gilbert Burns, Tyron Woodley, and Sean Strickland, to name just a few.

Edwards has won nine straight fights since losing to his UFC 278 opponent, beating the likes of Nate Diaz, Rafael dos Anjos, Gunnar Nelson, and Donald Cerrone during his long road to a shot at glory.

"I can see straight through him," said Edwards, who is unbeaten since 2015.

"He's being himself and has done great things, but I do feel he's losing himself a little bit.

"It's not personal for me, I believe I'm number one but it's [fame] clearly getting to his head. I'm going to humble you Saturday night."

.Edwards, who has the opportunity to become the first British UFC champion since Michael Bisping in 2016, says he respects Usman's achievements but sees arrogance in him.

"He's another black man doing good stuff, I know we're going to fight but I'm not a hater," he said.

"But every press conference he's dressed in the 'how to be arrogant' style pack,"

"I've seen it time and time before. The fame has got to him."

'I've grown leaps and bounds since the last fight'

Edwards expects Usman to keep the fight on the feet - a department he feels he excels in.

"If I was him I'd come out and try and wrestle, but I think he'll try and strike. He's fallen in love with it and that's natural, but I'm leaps ahead of him when it comes to striking," he said.

"Skillset-wise he has improved, he's shown in his fights he's comfortable on his feet. But we're both two different fighters to what we were seven years ago.

"I've grown leaps and bounds and Saturday night I'll show that."

Despite having the second-longest winning streak at nine in the UFC welterweight division behind Kamaru Usman, Edwards hasn't received the recognition which some of his more outspoken peers have.

Both Masvidal and Covington have fought and lost for the title against Usman twice each in the past three years.

Edwards says the extra recognition that comes with being a UFC champion is not important to him.

"I'm going in with the mindset of being a champion, it's been a long road for me to get here," he said.

"My aim is to go out there, provide for my family and I truly believe I'm number one. We'll see Saturday night."