Leon Edwards became Britain’s second ever UFC champion after he defeated Nigerian Kamaru Usman at the UFC 278 main event at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, USA on Sunday morning.
Seven years ago, Usman outpointed Edwards as part of what became a 19-fight win streak for the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’, earning him the title of UFC’s pound-for-pound king.
Edwards also came into this on an undefeated streak, winning nine bouts in a row, while patiently waiting for his first title shot.
The Jamaica-born Briton, however, avenged his loss to Usman in 2015, leaving Utah as welterweight champion after landing a vicious kick that sent Usman sprawling to the canvas with just seconds left of their five-bout clash.
The fight started with both fighters throwing caution to the wind and a confident Usman landing solid blows on Edwards’ face and sides. The Brit countered and locked Usman down getting his own clean hits in.
In the subsequent rounds, Usman kept his feet on the ground as an ankle injury hampered his movement, but he was still able to land some solid punches on Edwards.
The fight wasn’t close as the fourth round ended with Usman winning 3-1 and only needed to avoid a knockout to retain his title and match MMA Greatest of All Time Anderson Silva with six successive title defences.
However, in round five, the unlikely happened as the Brit feinted and tricked Usman, using the opening to land a solid left kick on Usman’s head, which sent the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ to an early rest.
On becoming the new UFC welterweight champion, Edwards said, “I feel great. They all said I couldn’t do it, they all said I couldn’t do it. Look at me now.
“It doesn’t matter. From the trenches. I’m built like this. I go until the final bell. Pound-for-pound, head shot, dead.
“I told you we could win a belt from the UK, now look at me. There is no pound-for-pound, the belt belongs to nobody.
“I told you, mum, I’d change our lives. World champion, world champion, look at me now. I was born in Jamaica with nothing. I lived in a wood shack with a zinc roof.”
Oleksandr Usyk dedicates victory over Anthony Joshua to Ukraine
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk says his rematch victory over Anthony Joshua is history made and dedicated it to his country Ukraine currently at war with Russia.
Usyk defeated Joshua in split decision on Saturday to retain his titles which quickly raised questions of if the Brit should continue boxing.
In his post fight speech, Usyk said: “I want to thank everyone who prayed for me. I want to thank God for the help he gave me today because he did give me a lot today. My lord is Jesus Christ. I can thank you Saudi. Thank you so much.
“I devote this victory to my family, my country, my team, to all the military defending this country. Thank you so much.
“This is already history. Many generations are going to watch this fight especially the round when someone tried to beat me hard but I stood it and came back.”
On if he will fight Tyson Fury to unify the titles, he said: “I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet. I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him. If I’m not fighting Fury I’m not fighting at all.
“Only God knows whether I will fight him or not but all these gentlemen here around me, my team, they are going to help me.
“Thanks Lord for everything.”