Posted: 00:30, 21 August 2022 | Updated: 07:09, 21 August 2022
Advertising
Leon Edwards delivered one of the most iconic moments in UFC history to knock out Kamaru Usman with a headbutt to dethrone the fearsome welterweight champion.
‘Rocky’ became the second British champion in the history of the promotion, following in the footsteps of Michael Bisping, and the finish was as perfect as it was dramatic.
With just a minute left on the clock and many already writing the doomsday of his title shot, Edwards feinted forward, pulled Usman into a hear to his right, where he was unceremoniously dispatched with a shinbone to the jaw.
Leon Edwards knocks out Kamaru Usman with this incredible head kick to shock the world
Usman fell to the canvas and ‘Rocky’ immediately knew the fight was over at the last minute
Edwards is the second British UFC champion, following in the footsteps of Michael Bisping, who won his belt in 2016
Referee Herb Dean didn’t even have to remove Edwards from Usman. Everyone knew from the reaction and contact that it was a single shot murder.
Usman came around and said, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” when the realization of his fate was complete. He ends his amazing reign as champion and is his first taste of defeat in the UFC.
This rematch was seven years in the making and in 2015, Edwards lost a unanimous decision. Both men have come a long way since then, with Edwards winning 10 in a row to finally get his chance.
In the first round, it looked like he had it with both hands. He managed to take Usman down and it was the first time the champion had been put on his back.
There was the faint threat of a submission, but time ran out and Usman roared back into the contest in the second.
Usman was unconscious before he came and managed to leave the main stage on his own
Edwards was overcome with emotion at the incredible feat and collapsed inside the octagon
Usman spent much of the fight controlling Edwards, but the crowd went wild when the British fighter made a comeback
His relentless forward pressure meant Edwards had to fight with his back to the cage and was unable to respond to multiple takedowns and grueling exchanges.
The third and fourth followed a similar pattern and although Edwards was never in danger of finishing, there was a clear winner heading into the fifth.
So, with the clock winding down and just under a minute remaining, the header that will be repeated from here to eternity found a home with pinpoint accuracy.
Edwards was overcome with emotion on the mic, and there’s a good chance Usman’s work will earn him an immediate trilogy rematch.
Edwards repeatedly said, “Look at me now,” after fulfilling his ambition to become world champion
Usman looked terrific as champion and looked like he was on his way to another routine win
Edwards struggled to deal with the pressure but had his moments in the striking exchanges
‘Rocky’ described his knockout as ‘beautiful’ as he re-watched it on the big screen with Joe Rogan
Ahead of Saturday night’s remarkable win, Edwards told Sportsmail that he plans to celebrate with friends and family in Utah before returning to the UK for what will undoubtedly be a week of partying. He deserves every bit of it.
At times, Edwards has looked like one of the unluckiest UFC fighters on the roster. He had a two-year absence and was removed from the ranks, suffered battles that fell due to illness and injury, but now all the sacrifices and failures are a distant memory.
‘Rocky’ stands on top of the mountain and will now look to dominate the welterweight division with the same amazing consistency that Usman has managed for years.
Follow Sportsmail’s live blog for Kamaru Usman vs Leon Edwards at UFC 278, as well as full undercard coverage.
