MMA
Leon Edwards shocks Kamaru Usman with head kick KO to snatch welterweight title at UFC 278
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Kamaru Usman was in the process of double-lapping the welterweight division.
The welterweight world champion was coming off defeating Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington for a second time each.
But just when it looked like Usman was going to do the same to Leon Edwards in their rematch at UFC 278 on Saturday night, "Rocky" struck back in a dramatic scene right out of the movie of his same moniker. With 56 seconds left, Edwards rallied and caught Usman with a left head kick to instantly knock Usman out in a stunning fifth-round KO to be crowned the new welterweight world champion inside of Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
"Look at me now — Champion of the world," a jubilant Edwards told Joe Rogan in the Octagon.
With the victory, Edwards became the first Jamaica-born fighter to grab a championship in UFC history. He also picked up his 10th victory in his last 11 fights and snapped Usman's 15-fight win streak. One more win would have tied Usman with Anderson Silva's record of 16.
Following a surprising first round where Edwards became the first UFC fighter to take Usman down, "The Nigerian Nightmare" proceeded to win the second, third and fourth rounds via his dominant takedowns and control. Usman was winning the first four minutes of the fifth and final round too, before Edwards created enough space to feint with his right hand and unload the riveting left head kick that instantly knocked Usman out in a shocking victory that more than lived up to his "Rocky" nickname for its thrilling comeback nature.
Here's how the entire UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 went.
