Leon Edwards on Sunday morning produced a stunning last-gasp head-kick KO to defeat Kamaru Usman and win the welterweight title at UFC 278.
It was the sixth time Usman was looking to defend his title. But his opponent went into the fight unbeaten in 10 games.
The pair first met seven years ago in the early stages of their UFC careers.
Since outpointing Edwards in that 2015 meeting, Usman had won 13 consecutive fights whilst the Brit was unbeaten in 10 fights.
Usman wasted no time in taking Edwards down as the fight got underway, but the Brit turned the tables when he landed a takedown of his own and took Usman’s back.
Usman known also as the ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ turned up the pace in the second round and started to put together some good combinations before ending the round on top with another takedown.
It was all Usman in the third round as he dominated Edwards on the mat, mixing up his submission attempts with strikes.
The Brit’s corner team urged him to try and defend Usman’s takedowns to keep the fight on the feet, but Edwards was slowing down as the rounds went on.
Usman continued his relentless pressure in the final round, but out of nowhere Edwards produced a perfect high kick which left Usman out cold with referee Herb Dean instantly waving off the fight.
