KAMARU USMAN admits Leon Edwards has come on leaps and bounds since their first meeting seven years ago.
Pound-for-pound king Usman will defend his welterweight title against the surging southpaw early on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 278 in Salt Lake City.
Edwards, 30, has rattled off nine wins in his last ten octagon outings since welcoming Usman to the UFC in December 2015 and has impressed the champion with the improvements in his wrestling.
The Nigerian Nightmare told SunSport: “I’ve seen lots of improvements with Leon.
"He’s more calculated now, very relaxed.
"He’s got good takedown defence and even his offense, his wrestling offense has grown exponentially.
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"To where I’ve watched him win fights with his wrestling and his grappling.
“So he’s really rounded out his game to where he’s more of a complete fighter now.”
Despite having already seen off Edwards once, Usman is refusing to underestimate the threat the Birmingham bruiser poses to his throne.
The 35-year-old continued: "So I respect that and take nothing away from that. I respect his abilities completely.
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"Just because we fought once and I got the victory, doesn't mean would take that for granted; take his skills for granted."
Usman has also made great improvements since his first clash with Rocky and is no longer solely reliant on his wrestling to have his hand raised.
The Ultimate Fighter season 21 winner has become somewhat of a knockout artist since linking up with new coach Trevor Wittman.
And he's confident of registering his sixth straight title defence in dominant fashion.
He said: "I'll go in there and do what I do best. And that's dominate him from start to finish."
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Victory over Edwards will see Usman move another step closer to clearing out the welterweight division.
It could very well put him on the path for a showdown with undefeated phenom Khamzat Chimaev, provided the Russian wins his clash with Nate Diaz next month.
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