After defeating Nigerian Kamaru Usman in the UFC 278 main event at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, USA, on Sunday morning, Leon Edwards became the second-ever UFC champion from the United Kingdom.
The “Nigerian Nightmare” defeated Edwards seven years ago, beginning a 19-fight winning streak that made him the UFC’s pound-for-pound champion.
As he eagerly awaited his first title shot, Edwards also entered this event undefeated, having won nine consecutive fights.
However, the British fighter from Jamaica avenged his defeat to Usman in 2015 by defeating Usman in the last seconds of their five-bout fight and emerging from Utah as the welterweight champion.
Both boxers threw caution to the wind at the beginning of the bout, as Usman confidently connected with powerful blows to the face and sides of Edwards.
The British opponent retaliated and pinned Usman while landing his own solid blows.
Usman was unable to move freely in the following rounds due to an ankle injury, but he was still able to deliver some powerful blows on Edwards.
The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ was forced to take an early break after the Brit feinted and fooled Usman in round five, utilizing the opportunity to land a powerful left kick on his head.
Edwards expressed his delight at winning the UFC welterweight title: “I feel wonderful.
They all claimed that I was incapable of completing the task.
Now look at me.
“It’s irrelevant.
from the front lines.
I have this body type.
I continue until the last bell.
Pound for pound, shot to the skull, dead.
“Look at me, I told you we might win a belt from the UK.
There is no pound-for-pound, and nobody owns the belt.
“Mom, I promised you I’d alter our life.
Champion of the world, look at me now.