UFC 278 LIVE results: Leon Edwards knocks out Kamaru Usman with head kick in final minute
Re-live updates as Edwards became Britain’s second ever UFC champion with a stunning, late knockout
Leon Edwards won the UFC welterweight title in the most stunning fashion on Saturday night, knocking Kamaru Usman out cold with one minute left in the main event of UFC 278. Edwards was down on all three judges’ scorecards and looked to have nothing left, but he put the champion away with a perfect head kick to become Britain’s second ever UFC champion. In doing so, Edwards dethroned the UFC’s consensus pound-for-pound king and avenged a decision loss to the Nigerian-American from 2015.
After a bright start for Jamaican-born Edwards, with the 30-year-old taking down Usman in the first round, the champion looked to be on course for yet another victory. No UFC fighter had ever scored an official takedown of the “Nigerian Nightmare” before, but Edwards could not build on that early moment – which was shocking enough and nearly resulted in a submission – as Usman employed his grappling prowess to build a lead over the next three rounds.
But with a minute left in the final frame, with Edwards down three rounds to one, the Briton feinted a one-two with his hands, leading Usman to dip his head to the right. It was there that his skull met the shin of Edwards, putting Usman out cold. “I’m champion of the world, champion of the world, look at me now,” Edwards said tearfully. “I was born in Jamaica with nothing. I lived in a wooden shack with a zinc roof. I told you, mum, I’d change our lives.” Re-live the UFC 278 main event, main card and prelims, below:
UFC 278 LIVE
Usman vs Edwards – Round 2
Usman backs up Edwards and throws some wild punches. Edwards lands a knee to the body and beaks free.
He blocks a head kick, but Usman is pouring on heavy punches! An uppercut gets through! Edwards tries to stay calm, and he circles away.
Low kicks by Edwards. Usman complains of an eye poke. We’ll see a pause in the action.
Edwards had a fight ruled a No Contest against Belal Muhammad last year, after accidentally poking Muhammad in the eye.
UFC 278 LIVE
Usman vs Edwards – Round 1
Edwards can’t quite lock in the rear naked choke... but he ends the round in a great position. Wow.
Seriously, wow.
UFC 278 LIVE
Usman vs Edwards – Round 1
Usman has Edwards clinched against the fence, but Edwards trips Usman and lands in full mount!
That’s the first time Usman has been takedown, officially, in his UFC career! Wow! Elbow from Edwards.
Edwards takes the back! What is happening?!
UFC 278 LIVE
Usman vs Edwards – Round 1
No touch of gloves, surprisingly! Edwards didn’t look at Usman once during the face-off.
Usman takes the centre of the Octagon. Edwards kicks low, and again. Usman shoots for a takedown against the fence.
Edwards defends it and gets into space! He tries a trip but fails, then drops to the canvas, and Usman follows him to the mat!
Edwards does really well to scramble and stand.
UFC 278 LIVE
Edwards is out first. Now here comes Usman, unbeaten in the UFC.
UFC 278 LIVE
Edwards is bidding to become Britain’s second ever UFC champion.
The retired Michael Bisping, at middleweight, is the only British champion in UFC history.
UFC 278 LIVE
Edwards has waited a long time for a title fight and has seen many bouts fall through along the way – including three efforts to make a contest between him and rising star Khamzat Chimaev last year.
UFC 278 LIVE
As Edwards makes his way to the ring, why not read this interview with the man himself?
Leon Edwards is out for revenge, gold and history in Kamaru Usman rematch
Interview: Edwards will become Britain’s second ever UFC champion if he can avenge his 2015 loss to Usman, with the welterweight title on the line this time
UFC 278 LIVE
Usman is a wrestling specialist who employed those skills effectively to beat Edwards in 2015, but he has honed his striking and added knockout power since.
Edwards is a very well-rounded mixed martial artist, who is not the most powerful puncher but does have slick striking – and much better grappling skills than in his first clash with Usman.
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