Former welterweight champion Leon Edwards faces a tough test as he takes on No. 5-ranked contender Sean Brady at UFC Fight Night in London. Edwards, who has not fought since dropping the title against Belal Muhammad last July, is looking to establish himself as the next challenger for the title.
Edwards’ strategy will likely involve putting pressure on Brady, being patient, and using leg feints to keep him from attempting takedowns. However, if he can’t command all of his skills, including grappling, he may struggle against Brady’s elite grappling. On the other hand, Brady’s best fights have come when he mixes his striking and grappling, and he will need to pressure Edwards to win.
The X factor in this fight is whether Edwards can put everything together to win. If he can dominate with his striking and wrestling skills, he may be able to take down Brady. However, if Brady makes Edwards flinch with his level changes, he can take over the fight.
In terms of betting analysis, ESPN expert Ian Parker predicts a decision victory for Edwards, but also notes that Brady’s powerful left hand and leg kicks will open things up for his offense. Parker favors Brady to win at odds of -155.
On the rest of the card, Parker recommends taking Jan Blachowicz to win against Carlos Ulberg at +235 odds. He also predicts Nathaniel Wood to lose to Morgan Charrière in a competitive fight, and Christian Leroy Duncan to win by outstriking his opponent from a distance over 1.5 rounds.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/44318535/ufc-fight-night-expert-picks-best-bets-leon-edwards-vs-sean-brady