UFC 278 Usman vs. Edwards 2: Leon Edwards scores last minute knockout to win welterweight title

SALT LAKE CITY — Leon Edwards has shocked the MMA world. With a head kick in the final round of a fight he was handily losing, Edwards knocked out Usman to win the UFC welterweight title in the main event of UFC 278 on Saturday night here at Vivint Arena. The finish came at 4:04 of the fifth round. Usman was considered the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.

Edwards snapped Usman's 15-fight UFC winning streak, which was a UFC record. It was one of the most stunning knockouts in the history of the sport.

«I can't put it into words,» Edwards said.

Usman had been dominating the fight after the first round. But Usman leaned down to his right to defend an Edwards left and Edwards caught him flush with a left head kick, sending the more than 17,000 in attendance into a frenzy. Usman, who was out on contact, was less than a minute away from a sixth title defense.

Full recap from Marc Raimondi

Round-by-Round coverage:

Round 1: Edwards lands a few leg kicks, then defends a takedown attempt. He then slips on an attack and Usman gets him to the canvas. But Edwards gets up, and with two minutes to go, he scores a trip takedown into full mount. Edwards ends up taking the back and threatening a choke until the horn. 10-9, Edwards.

Round 2: Edwards gets his foot caught against the cage, and the brief distraction allows Usman to swarm with punches. Even after Edwards gets away, Usman keeps up the pressure, leading to two takedowns. Edwards is starting to look just a bit worn down. 10-9, Usman. (19-19)

Round 3: Usman resumes his stalking. A minute in, he gets a takedown. Edwards gets right back up, but Usman is all over him. Edwards lands a couple of shots, but Usman again closes in, gets another takedown and takes back control.