SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – AUGUST 20: Kamaru Usman of Nigeria looks on in a welterweight title bout against Leon Edwards of Jamaica during UFC 278 at Vivint Arena on August 20, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Alex Goodlett/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Alex Goodlett / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Kamaru Usman and Edwards (20-3 MMA) collided for the promotions welterweight title, yesterday, in Salt Lake City. The pair had previously met back in December of 2015, with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare‘ earning a unanimous decision victory.
Usman had entered the rematch sporting 19 straight wins, a streak that included five straight UFC welterweight title defences.
Meanwhile, Edwards had gone 9-0 with one no-contest since suffering that aforementioned 2015 setback to Usman. The Birmingham native was coming off a unanimous decision victory over Nate Diaz in his most previous effort back at UFC 263.
Yesterday’s UFC 278 main event proved to be a back-and-forth affair. Edwards got off to a terrific start in the fight, taking Usman down and having his back for a good portion of the opening round. However, Usman would turn the tide back in his favour in rounds two, three and four, leaving ‘Rocky’ needing a finish in the fifth and final round. Edwards delivered, ending Usman’s night with a thunderous head kick in the last minute of the final frame.
Usman was taken to hospital immediately following the devastating setback but has since issued a statement on social media to his fans.
Yesterday’s defeat served as the first knockout loss of Usman’s storied career. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was submitted in his only previous loss back in May of 2013.
UFC President, Dana White has already confirmed that the promotion plans to do an immediate
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