Leon Edwards defeated K.. Usman with a last-minute knockout to win the world title
IN SALT LAKE CITY - Leon Edwards has shocked the MMA world. With a head kick in the final round of a fight he was losing easily, Edwards knocked out Usman to win the UFC welterweight title in the main event of UFC 278 Saturday night here at Vivint Arena. Finished at 4:04 of the fifth round. Usman was considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Edwards snapped Usman's 15-fight UFC winning streak, which was a UFC record. It was one of the most spectacular knockouts in the history of the sport.
Leon Edwards defeated K.. Usman with a last-minute knockout to win the world title."I can't put it into words," Edwards said.
The Osman fighter dominated the fight after the first round. But Usman ducked to his right to defend Edwards' left and Edwards caught him with a left head kick, sending the 17,000-plus crowd into a frenzy. Usman, who was in touch, was less than a minute away from a sixth title defense.
Full summary from Mark Raimondi
Welterweight Championship: Leon Edwards (20-3 1 NC, 12-2 1 NC UFC) def. Kamaru Usman (c) (20-2, 15-1 UFC) via fifth-round KO
Round by round coverage:
Round 1: Edwards lands some leg kicks, then defends a takedown attempt. He then slips on a strike, and Usman takes him to the canvas. But Edwards gets up, and with two minutes to go, he scores a full trip takedown. Edwards grabbed the back and threatened to choke until the horn. 10-9, Edwards.
Round 2: Edwards keeps his foot against the cage, and the brief distraction allows Usman to pile in the punches. Even after Edwards leaves, Usman keeps up the pressure, resulting in two takedowns. Edwards is starting to look a little tired. 10-9, Osman. (19-19)
Round 3: Usman resumes his chase. One minute in, he gets a takedown. Edwards gets right back up, but Osman is all over him. Edwards landed two shots, but Usman came back, got another takedown and regained control. Then he's at the top, all over the mountain. Edwards looks sleepy, and Usman is rolling. 10-9, Osman. (29-28 Uthman)
Round 4: Edwards stands his ground, lands a few strikes and is close to a takedown. But Usman defended well, turned the tables and took himself down midway through the round. Usman is in complete control of Edwards. There is a pause as referee Herb Dean sees Edwards grab the cage to get up from the takedown. Dean puts them back on the canvas, and Edwards is still swinging as he comes back. 10-9, Osman. (Uthman 37-39)
Round 5: Usman keeps chasing, and Edwards isn't threatening. Challenger needs something big, and Osman has none, going out to sea. Edwards landed two shots but one less. Then, just as it looked like Edwards was out of it, his left high kick knocked Usman out.
