After his first UFC defeat against Leon Edwards , Kamaru Usman has vowed to reclaim his welterweight title with vengeance.
Britain’s Edwards sensationally knocked out Usman to win the title at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, Utah, a revenge of his loss to him in 2015.
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Edwards was behind on points in the fifth, but landed a left high-kick to stun Nigeria’s pound-for-pound number one fighter.
A Nigerian nightmare courtesy of @Leon_EdwardsMMA š„ #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/M8pTzpG2Pf
ā UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2022
He is now the first British champion since Michael Bisping in 2016 and only the second in history.
“You all doubted me, saying I couldn’t do it – look at me now.
“I’m from the trenches. I’m built like this. I’ve been doubted my whole life but look at me now,” Edwards said.
What the defeat means to Kamaru Usman
This also ends the 35-year-old’s 15-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC.
Jamaican-born Edwards was a big underdog with bookmakers going into the bout. He has therefore extended his winning streak to 10 following the defeat to Usman seven years ago.
Usman won the first fight by using his wrestling to control the majority of the contest. This is a tactic Edwards said opened his eyes to weaknesses in his own grappling game.
This made him worked hard on his wrestling and the improvements made were evident from the start of the rematch.
He had in the first round tripped Usman, becoming the first fighter in UFC history to complete a takedown on the Nigerian.
Responding strongly in the second and third round, the Nigerian pressured Edwards with flurries of strikes and controlling much of the contest with his grappling.
At the end of the round Edwards’ corner loudly urged their fighter to up his game and “get his hands moving”.
Edwards was on the brink of losing the battle after showing signs of fatigue in the fourth, brought on by the relentless grappling from Usman. The champion then used the opportunity to land an effortless takedown and continued to control the fight.
With Usman likely ahead on points going into the fifth Edwards needed something special – and the Briton delivered.
He lured Usman’s head with a feint to the side, before landing a clean left high-kick, leaving the Nigerian stunned on the canvas.
Edwards jumped on the cage in celebration as the enormity of what he had achieved started to sink in.
One can say this is the biggest upset in the UFC as commentator Joe Rogan rated the kick as potentially the best he’s seen.
USMAN CONGRATULATES EDWARDS
“Champs f$ck up sometimesā¦ but we bounce back and come with vengeance!,” Usman wrote on Twitter.
Champs f$ck up sometimesā¦ but we bounce back and come with vengeance!! ššæšš¤“šæ #NGHTMR
ā KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) August 21, 2022
Damn I love this sport!!! Things happen butā¦ Alhamdulillah we move!! ššæšš¤“šæ congratulations @Leon_edwardsmma
ā KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) August 21, 2022
Congratulating the British, Usman said he loves the sport and he has moved away from his defeat.
“Damn I love this sport!!! Things happen butā¦ Alhamdulillah we move!! ļæ½ļæ½ļæ½ļæ½ļæ½ļæ½ļæ½ļæ½ļæ½ļæ½ congratulations @Leon_edwardsmma,” he added.
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