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
Aldo vs Dvalishvili – Round 3
Aldo denies yet another single-leg takedown atttempt but is held against the fence. Merab tries to drag Aldo to the canvas, but three times Aldo denies him.
Merab lands a series of knees to the leg of Aldo.
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
UFC 278 LIVE
Aldo vs Dvalishvili – Round 3
Same again from Merab, shooting for a takedown but being denied. Merab lands a right overhand, and Aldo perhaps connects with a counter left hook.
Merab pressures the Brazilian but misses with a spinning back kick. Aldo isn’t being active enough, although he does now time a knee to the body well.
Aldo throws a few jabs, but he’s being too passive. Merab lands a winging right hook.
UFC 278 LIVE
Aldo vs Dvalishvili – Round 2
Again Merab tries for a takedown, but again he’s denied. The pair separate off the cage wall, but Merab tries again.
Once more he elects to back off, before shooting in the centre, where Aldo sprawls well to defend yet another takedown atttempt.
Twice more in this round, Merab backs Aldo up to the fence. He’s not had much success there, but he’s going to take that round due to his work rate.
UFC 278 LIVE
Aldo vs Dvalishvili – Round 2
Merab shoots for a single-leg takedown in the middle of the ring, but Aldo is able to stay standing as he’s backed up all the way to the fence!
Spectacular defence from Aldo, but he’s now receiving a bunch of knees to the thigh. Eventually Merab steps back, and the pair move into space.
Aldo with a combination ending in a high kick attempt.
UFC 278 LIVE
Aldo vs Dvalishvili – Round 1
Aldo checks a leg kick then throws one of his own. Merab throws two wild straight punches, to close distance for a single-leg takedown against the fence.
Aldo is able to break free, and Merab falls to the mat off-balance. Aldo presses forward, hurling a hook to the body. He then times a knee to the body as Merab surges forward.
Again Merab throws a spinning back kick to the body, but he misses this time.
Aldo with a nice combination to the body late in the round.
UFC 278 LIVE
Aldo vs Dvalishvili – Round 1
Aldo takes the centre of the Octagon at once. Merab with a spinning back kick to the body!
He then flicks out a front kick to the head, but his range is just off.
Loud “Jose Aldo” chants from the crowd in Salt Lake City. Now Merab backs him up.
Merab shoots for a double-leg takedown against the fence, then transitions to a single. Neither works. Aldo’s supreme takedown defence on display.
Now his fierce leg kicks are on display, too! He jabs to the body of Merab.
UFC 278 LIVE
Meanwhile, Georgian Dvalishvili is on a seven-fight win streak, having most recently come from the brink of defeat to stop Marlon Moraes last September.
UFC 278 LIVE
Aldo lost a controversial decision to Marlon Moraes in his bantamweight debut, before unsuccessfully challenging for the vacant title against Petr Yan, who stopped the featherweight icon.
Since then, however, Aldo has won three in a row.
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