Who is the better fighter between Usman and Leon? Prime for Prime.

[TerraRayzing]

This is one of the most fascinating trilogies for me. In the first fight, 2015, Usman clearly won and Leon couldn't do much.
The rematch started off really well for Leon. He took Usman down and controlled him but Usman beat him up for the next four rounds. Leon mentioned the altitude affecting his performance and I believe him but Usman was one minute away from winning and Leon found the knock out.
Third fight and it was clear that Usman was not the same fighter. There were times he pressure and did well but he was clearly wary of closing the distance and Leon kicked the shit out of him at range and won but it was still a very close fight.
Who is the better fighter in their prime? Like if they fought ten times who would win more often?

 

[DOMMA]

Prime Usman would win 6 of 10, imo.

 

[chinarice]

I think Usman is but not by much.

 

[Lycandroid]

Usman, Leon spent a good chunk of his prime being inactive

 

[TheBulge]

The thing is they fought 3 times so they learned and adapted to eachother. If you just match them up prime for prime(most would say neither hit their peak yet in 2015 so it's still even in the 1st fight) for one match Usman is the better fighter and usually wins. As long as he doesn't bully him. Leon won't let him.

 

[arcadeperfect]

I can't picture Belal ragdolling Usman.

 

[ArtardFiesta]

we saw prime usman vs prime leon in the second fight.

usman should have won that, but his mind slipped the last minute. I think he was coasting adn thought the win was in the bag. hell if he doesn't fake the nut shot in the last minute he probably does coast to a win.

the knock out changed everything. if you notice his two fights since, usman has lacked the confidence to really take chances and push it because he is weary of the KO.

 

[CatchtheseHands]

Usman has the slight edge IMO cause he can turn on the kill switch. Where as Leon can't (or at least can't until it's too late) and that is why he lost to Belal and it's why he nearly lost to Usman before getting that freak knock out upset.

 

[cereal gan]

people forget what usman was doing to leon before the KO, prime usman beats leon 9 times out of 10
that 1 for leon being a lucky kick

 

[Tweak896]

Usman by miles. Leon caught Usman at the end of his career while in his early 30s. Their first fight is our best approximation of how they would match up prime for prime.

 

[CrimsonFan]

To be honest I think Usman has been out of his prime for a while. He was in his prime when he was on that ridiculous winning streak to the title shot. Up until like the Burns fight.

I think during those years Leon just wouldnt be able to stop the takedowns. By the time they fought the second time Usman didn't seem to have the same relentless pace or the ability to use it for the duration of the fight

 

[TerraRayzing]

Usman by miles. Leon caught Usman at the end of his career while in his early 30s. Their first fight is our best approximation of how they would match up prime for prime.

Even the second fight. When Usman pressured, Leon couldn't do much, and that Belal finds is even more proof. Whenever Usman pressured in the trilogy, he found success but that KO from a few months ago definitely played a part and made him gun shy.

 

[Tweak896]

Even the second fight. When Usman pressured, Leon couldn't do much, and that Belal finds is even more proof. Whenever Usman pressured in the trilogy, he found success but that KO from a few months ago definitely played a part and made him gun shy.

Yeah, it's weird like Usman won first fight, most of the 2nd fight, and to me looked like he broke even after all the cheating in the 3rd. You may see 2 losses on Usman's record but he won most the rounds that he and Leon fought. Leon is so tentative, I'm glad he's not champ anymore.

 

[TerraRayzing]

Yeah, it's weird like Usman won first fight, most of the 2nd fight, and to me looked like he broke even after all the cheating in the 3rd. You may see 2 losses on Usman's record but he won most the rounds that he and Leon fought. Leon is so tentative, I'm glad he's not champ anymore.

Agreed. Usman was boring early on but the burns fight, the masvidal KO, the two fights against Colby and hell, I loved his domination over Woodley, that's more entertaining than Leon. That head kick KO distorted perception about Leon being some killer KO artist but truth is, he's not too different from Israel and he will kick and jab from range if you allow him.
As much as hate as Izzy gets, what he did against DDP recently deserves praise. I don't see Leon doing that, stepping in the fire and making it dirty.

 

[Bork Neslar]

Usman

 

[HHJ]

Usman's career impresses me more. He's got more finishes and grittier battles.

Leon seem to win "comfortably" and dont react well when the fight gets ugly.

Usman, we have seen him be able to grit it out when the going gets tough.

 

[Fergelmince]

In this fantasy fight, prime vs prime, do they get to use EPO?

 

[GrantB13]

Probably Usman. Nobody gave a shit about Edwards until he KO'd Usman and people acted like he was the second coming of CroCop with his headkick knockouts.

 

[Tweak896]

Agreed. Usman was boring early on but the burns fight, the masvidal KO, the two fights against Colby and hell, I loved his domination over Woodley, that's more entertaining than Leon. That head kick KO distorted perception about Leon being some killer KO artist but truth is, he's not too different from Israel and he will kick and jab from range if you allow him.
As much as hate as Izzy gets, what he did against DDP recently deserves praise. I don't see Leon doing that, stepping in the fire and making it dirty.

Yep was lightning in a bottle. No doubt Usman's days were numbered but it was more about him than Leon. One of the reasons I'm glad he lost. Usman actually had a strange career where he was a boring fighter and got exciting after he became champ.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

Usman of course. Leon beat a 35 year old version who was 3+ years into his title reign.