Leon Edwards has defeated Nigerian Nightmare, Kamaru Usman, in a shocking last-minute head-kick knockout in UFC 278, becoming the new welterweight championship holder.
The knockout blow came after nearly four rounds of relative domination by the champion Usman, who stifled Edwards with strong cardio, grappling, and control.
A left high kick blocked out of the line-of-sight of Usman by a left jab, slipped up and cranked the champion, who folded in lawn-chair fashion as he gazed blankly at the ceiling lights.
“You all doubted me that I couldn’t do it,” Edwards said in the cage after the fight. “Look at me now. Look at it: pound-for-pound, headshot, dead. That’s it.”
While reacting to the defeat, Usman in a tweet, said, “Champs f$ck up sometimes… but we bounce back and come with vengeance!!”
Champs f$ck up sometimes… but we bounce back and come with vengeance!! 👊🏿🌍🤴🏿 #NGHTMR
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) August 21, 2022
It would be recalled that Edwards was beaten by Usman seven years ago, but the underdog came back and delivered the last few seconds blow to Usman, knocking him down to win the fight.
