Ali Abdelaziz, CEO of Dominance MMA and manager of Kamaru Usman, denied rumors that his client won't recover from hand surgery in time for his fight with UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, scheduled for March 18 at UFC 286.
Please stop spreading rumors. Kamaru will fight Leon next, he's ready to fight. We will get that belt back.
Ali Abdelaziz on his social media
In his last fight, which took place in August 2022 at UFC 278, Kamaru Usman lost to Leon Edwards by knockout in the fifth round and lost the welterweight championship belt.
In December 2015, the fighters fought their first fight at the UFC on Fox 17 tournament. The fight went the full distance and ended with Usman winning by unanimous decision.