Edwards Stuns Usman Late In 5th Round To Take Ufc Welterweight Title
Leon Edwards dropped Kamaru Usman with a kick to the pinnacle and neck withinside the very last minute of the 5th spherical to win the welterweight championship at UFC 278 on Saturday night time.
Usman regarded to be seconds farfar from a sixteenth consecutive victory, which could have tied an all-time UFC document, earlier than Edwards got here up with the lovely end simply in time. He added the knockout blow with fifty six seconds left withinside the bout.
“That crosshead kick landed perfectly,” Edwards stated.
Edwards (20-3) is undefeated relationship again to his preceding bout with Usman in 2015. The British fighter rose to No. 2 withinside the welterweight department even as amassing 9 wins in that reach in advance of the identify bout.
Usman (20-2) lived as much as his popularity because the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter withinside the international for tons of the bout. The Nigerian weathered a overdue first-spherical takedown and became the tables with a overdue 2d-spherical takedown.
Usman managed role at some point of the 0.33 spherical, incomes greater takedowns, and led 39-37 at the judges’ scorecards after 4 rounds. He regarded on his manner to a win via way of means of unanimous selection earlier than Edwards rallied withinside the very last spherical.
“The octagon belongs to nobody,” Edwards stated. “No guy is supposed to maintain the belt for that long. I stated all week I felt like this turned into my second. This is the way it turned into intended to play out.”
Edwards nonetheless believes he has lots left to show despite the fact that he's now the champion. He referred to again and again how he didn’t like how his frame reacted to Usman’s assaults at some point of all 5 rounds.
“That wasn’t my quality performance, and I did now no longer experience myself in this,” Edwards stated. “I experience like I actually have tons greater to offer.”
UFC’s first pay-per-view occasion in Utah drew 18,321 enthusiasts and $4.2 million in stay gate revenue, a Vivint Arena document. It marked the twenty third consecutive sellout for the UFC.
Dana White praised the area ecosystem and stated the UFC ought to go back to Utah as early as 2023.
“You ought to positioned this crowd up there with all and sundry tonight,” White stated.
Paulo Costa prevailed over former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in a unanimous selection withinside the middleweight bout. Costa (14-2) had misplaced instantly bouts getting into Salt Lake City.
Rockhold (16-5) lower back to the octagon for the primary time in 3 years and his rust confirmed because the bout progressed. Costa greater than doubled Rockhold in overall moves thru the primary rounds and in the end left him with a bloodied mouth withinside the 0.33 spherical.
Rockhold wiped his very own blood over Costa’s face withinside the spherical’s very last seconds even as each combatants have been locked in a stalemate at the ground.
“I didn’t see it withinside the second of the combat. I simply felt some thing on my face,” Costa stated. “But once I noticed, it turned into very disgusting. … It turned into a unusual second.”
Merab Dvalishvili prevailed over former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo in a unanimous selection withinside the men’s bantamweight bout, incomes his 8th instantly win. Aldo (31-8) had vocal assist from the gang however wore down below relentless strain from Dvalishvili (15-4) over 3 rounds.
Lucie Pudilova beat Wu Yanan withinside the principal card women’s bantamweight bout for her 0.33 instantly win. Yanan suffered her fourth instantly loss. Pudilova earned a TKO on the 4:04 mark withinside the 2d spherical after dragging Yanan to the canvas and again and again smashing elbows into her from a again mount.
Tyson Pedro earned a TKO over Harry Hunsucker 1:05 into the primary spherical withinside the mild heavyweight bout to spherical out the principle card bouts.
Marcin Tybura exceeded Alexandr Romanov his first profession UFC loss withinside the heavyweight bout, prevailing via way of means of majority selection. Romanov (18-1) slammed Tybura (23-7) to the canvas a couple of instances withinside the first spherical however ran out of steam withinside the last rounds.
Sean Woodson and Luis Saldana fought to an extraordinary cut up attract a featherweight initial bout in advance withinside the evening. It turned into the primary profession draw for each combatants.
I experience like if I ever write approximately the UFC it’ll be dealt with like Walter Slobchak dressing down Donnie approximately taking walks into the center of a movie.
So once I walked right into a friend’s residence with a semi severe hobby withinside the Kamaru Usman-Leon Edwards combat, I handiest knew as tons as I gleaned from proofing the Dana White tale Deadspin body of workers creator Stephen Knox wrote.
It regarded like Usman’s quest to tie a document set via way of means of Anderson Silva turned into a huge deal.
So whilst the bulk of the combat turned into Usman looking to QB sneak his legacy throughout the one-backyard line, I felt like every body else withinside the room turned into lamenting the glorified recreation of pattycake. Then, with much less than a minute left withinside the principal occasion, Edwards shattered Usman’s dream. And his face.
There’s not anything like being in a room complete of degenerates who're lusting for a bring about a bloodsport. Hopefully, those combatants can get the cash that a kick to the orbital bone can merit. Never thoughts how fortunate it got here throughout from the factor of view of a pedestrian, a devastating KO is continually welcome whilst the putting is right.
Alright, I give, Albert Pujols’ go back to St. Louis is amazing
Everyone can relate to now no longer looking to wait an occasion regardless of folks who recognise us quality pleading, “Please come. You’ll love it.” Usually, the times contain youngsters who can’t fathom 10 mins from now, or seconds with out a favourite toy.
There are infinite opportunities for the welterweight department withinside the aftermath of UFC 278. Leon Edwards greatly surprised the arena with a come-from-behind, head-kick knockout of Kamaru Usman withinside the remaining minute in their international identify combat. A new champion way an abundance of latest matchups.
Edwards and Usman at the moment are 1-1 in opposition to every different with the primary assembly coming manner again in 2015. That necessitates a trilogy, particularly thinking about the highlight-reel nature of the end on Saturday night time. Looking past the rubber match, there are some of sparkling matchups buoyed via way of means of terrible blood, such as the wolf named Khamzat Chimaev lurking withinside the shadows.
The undercard on Saturday additionally noticed Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold wallop every different for 15 mins, incomes Fight of the Night honors.
Rockhold retired withinside the aftermath of the combat, however Costa has lots of gas left withinside the tank. And Merab Dvalishvili scored the most important win of his profession over Jose Aldo, however the nature of his win might not praise him with tons withinside the eyes of UFC matchmakers.
Leon Edwards greatly surprised Kamaru Usman and the relaxation of the combined martial arts international on Saturday night time with a knockout kick withinside the 5th spherical in their bout at UFC 278.
Edwards snatched the UFC welterweight championship from Usman with the win. The knockout blow got here with fifty six seconds last withinside the match.
Usman, taken into consideration to be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter withinside the sport, turned into probably on his manner to a selection victory in opposition to Edwards earlier than the kick.
He managed Edwards at some point of the 0.33 spherical and led at the judge’s scorecard 39-37. But Edwards landed the stunning blow to place the "Nigerian Nightmare" on his again.
Edwards has 10 wins and one no contest in view that he misplaced to Usman in December 2015 at UFC on FOX 17. The victory over Usman turned into the 20 th of his profession.
CONOR MCGREGOR HINTS HE MAY NOT RETURN TO UFC IN CRYPTIC TWEET
"The octagon belongs to nobody. No guy is supposed to maintain the belt for that long. I stated all week I felt like this turned into my second. This is the way it turned into intended to play out," he stated, including he felt like he had greater to show.
"That wasn’t my quality performance, and I did now no longer experience myself in this. I experience like I actually have tons greater to offer."
The win left UFC combatants and enthusiasts astounded.
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