UFC 278: Kamaru Usman makes last-round admission about Leon Edwards loss

UFC star Kamaru Usman has admitted he went for the finish in the fifth round against Leon Edwards.

In the main event of UFC 278 earlier this month, Kamaru Usman seemed to be in a pretty comfortable position heading into the fifth and final round of his clash with Leon Edwards. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was 3-1 up on the judges’ scorecards with many believing all he needed to do was put on a wrestle-heavy display for the last five minutes to retain his UFC welterweight championship.

Instead, though, after the referee separated the rivals with less than two minutes remaining, Usman opted to stand and trade with Edwards as he edged closer and closer to another landmark victory.

Instead, he was knocked out cold in one of the most shocking comeback upsets in recent memory.

During an interview with TMZ, Usman admitted that he was hungry to finish Edwards and make a statement.

“That’s not who I am. When I fight, there’s a reason I’m pedal to the medal and I don’t look at the clock,” Usman said.

“That’s the way that I fight. I wanted to finish. It was just a beautiful technique. I could’ve taken him down, but I really wanted to finish and when I was setting up, you know only God knows what I was setting up, I didn’t land it.”

When asked about what’s next, Usman made it clear that he wants redemption.

“I am mixed martial artist and I am the best mixed martial artist in the world. So, that’s what I need to do. I need to prove that. I think of nothing else right now except that.”

It almost goes without saying that Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 needs to be next as the pair aim to put an end to their rivalry once and for all.

The expectation is that we’ll see them square off in England at some point in the future, most likely next