The 30-year-old Jamaican-born British fighter appeared headed for a defeat on the judges’ scores when he faked a jab with his left hand and then landed a left-footed kick to the head that sparked the 35-year-old Nigerian to claim the zone. “Everybody doubted me, everybody said I couldn’t do it – look at me now!” Edwards roared in his post-fight interview in the cage. Edwards is only the second British fighter to hold a UFC title, following in the footsteps of Michael Bisping, who won in 2016 in the middleweight division. Riding a 15-fight UFC win streak coming into the fight, Usman struggled in the first round as Edwards, who he beat in their only previous meeting in 2015, shocked him by taking him to the mat for the first time in his UFC career. career. Edwards threatened to end the fight with a back naked choke but Usman, who was defending his sixth title, survived and came roaring back in the second round as Edwards appeared to stumble early. The 35-year-old Usman then returned to the type of choke that has been the foundation of his fighting style since turning pro in 2012, backing his opponent up to the fence and taking him down at will. He dominated Edwards and looked like he would retain the belt again until the challenger starched him with this kick with just 56 seconds left in the match. “I’m from the trenches, I’m built like this, I fight until the fight is done. I’ve been down all my life and look at me now!’ said an excited Edwards. Leon Edwards celebrates after defeating Kamaru Usman in their UFC welterweight championship bout on Saturday night. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC Paulo Costa defeated former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold by unanimous decision in the middleweight bout. Costa had lost two straight games entering Salt Lake City. Rockhold (returned to the Octagon for the first time in three years and his rust showed as the fight wore on. Costa more than doubled Rockhold in total strikes in the first two rounds and finally left him with a bloody mouth in the third. Rockhold wiped out his of blood over Costa’s face in the final seconds of the round while both fighters were locked in a stalemate on the ground. Merab Dvalishvili defeated former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo by unanimous decision in the men’s bantamweight bout, earning his eighth straight victory. Aldo had vocal support from the crowd but wore down under Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure over three rounds. Lucy Pudilova defeated Wu Yanan in the main card match of the women’s heavyweight bout for her third consecutive win. Yanan suffered its fourth straight defeat. Pudilova earned a TKO at the 4:04 mark of the second round after dragging Yanan to the canvas and repeatedly breaking her elbows from a back mount. Tyson Pedro earned a TKO over Harry Hunsucker 1:05 into the first round in the light heavyweight bout to round out the bouts on the main card.
