UFC 278: Edwards Sends Kamaru Usman To The Canvas

British Leon Edwards knocked out Nigerian Kamaru Usman, ending his reign as the welterweight world champion in the main event of UFC 278 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on Sunday morning.

Usman was comfortably ahead on the scorecards with one minute of the final round remaining, but Edwards landed a brutal left kick to put the lights out for the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ and end his reign as champion which stretched back to March 2019.

EDWARDS KNOCKED OUT USMAN ? #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/RWYU2n3lap

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 21, 2022

The first round went the way of the challenger, with Edwards becoming the first man to land a takedown on Usman in the latter’s UFC career, and the champion had to work hard on the ground to prevent his opponent from sinking in a submission attempt.

Round two saw Usman dial up the pressure, landing more significant strikes throughout and also securing a takedown, while the third round was truly dominant for the champion, who bossed it throughout and twice took Edwards to the ground.

"I told you mom. I told you I'd do it."

Leon calling his mom after he won ? #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/zfCR6bH9RJ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 21, 2022

The fourth round followed a similar pattern, with Usman dominant in the clinch and on the ground, and also landing some notable blows before the buzzer, while the fifth again saw Usman in charge until the four-minute mark, when Edwards feinted a left straight and then landed a massive head kick which put the champ down cold.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m in the trenches, I’m built like this,” said Edwards in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.

“I go till the bell is done, that’s it. I’m been down my whole life, look at me now! Look at me now!”