Leon Edwards went into UFC 278 with quite a bang. Edwards managed to capture the back and had a decent shot to snatch the W from Usman in the first. Usman barely managed to defend power out Round 1.
Throughout Rounds 2 to 5 Usman asserted his powerful wrestling game and was winning clinching exchanges.
Usman was 2 minutes away from breaking Anderson Silva’s record and keeping his title when Leon Edwards landed a side kick straight to Usman’s chin.
Usman was knocked out cold, fell with his head bouncing off the canvas twice. Referee Herb Dean was uncharacteristically timely in his reaction and managed to call it off.
Leon Edwards was very stricken by emotion and had exclaimed ‘Look at me now’ repeatedly. His Rocky theme was played in the background.
Cormier and Rogan are super honest in that Edwards was counted out.
https://twitter.com/bjjscout/status/1561216881750450178
WHAT WILL THEY SAY NOW ABOUT ROCKY EDWARDS?!!?
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 21, 2022
WATCH: Leon Edwards knocks out Kamaru Usman COLD with a head kick. Usman was likely on his way to winning a decision. #AndNew #UFC278 https://t.co/XUZN07MiiK
— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) August 21, 2022
Saw it live! pic.twitter.com/DZcYbcncTy
— Mr. Nobody (@vikeman72) August 21, 2022
Unbelievable pic.twitter.com/iSNK0QYQ7v
— TheReal_TioBob (@TheReal_TioBob) August 21, 2022
Keep your head up my brother @USMAN84kg sh*t happens.
Love you ❤❤❤— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) August 21, 2022
Usman Seconds of away from retaining the belt and an INSANE headkick KO from Leon Edwards! WOW! Jamaica 🇯🇲has another UFC champion! I smell a trilogy!! #UFC278
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) August 21, 2022
BANG. congrats man! And I guess this is fair warning to everyone- never wear what Usman wore to media day! #ufc278 #gronkcast 🤯
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) August 21, 2022
Usman gonna come out saying he from Pluto after that smack hahah Marty green pants from Pluto 😂
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 21, 2022
LOLOLOLLOL
“Let me fight Canelo” @USMAN84kg
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) August 21, 2022
Ahead of UFC 278, Edwards believes the only fight that can happen next is their trilogy match.
“I believe so. I believe so. When I go out there and beat him, like I said, he’s been a dominant champion for a little while now, so when I go out there and take the belt off him, I can see #3 happening straight away. And from there, we’ll figure out what’s next,” said Edwards in an interview with MMA Junkie.