KAMARU USMAN SUFFERS KNOCKOUT DEFEAT TO LEON EDWARDS LOSES TITLE

Kamaru ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ Usman, has lost the UFC Welterweight champion title to Leon Edwards. 

Leon Edwards became Britain’s second-ever UFC champion after he defeated 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 defenses. 

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, headshot, 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. 

Main Image: Fox News

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