LEON EDWARDS is Britain’s second UFC champion following a stunning victory over pound-for-pound king Kamaru Usman.
The Jamaican-born Brit ended the Nigerian Nightmare‘s dominant reign over the welterweight division on Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 278 in Salt Lake City.
Edwards, 30, stopped the Nigerian Nightmare with a stunning Hail Mary head kick with two minutes left in the fifth round.
In his post-fight interview, an emotional Edwards said: “I can’t put it into words, Joe.
“It’s been a long four years. You all doubted me and said I couldn’t do it.
“You all said I couldn’t do it. Look at me now. Never again. Pound-for-pound.
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“Headshot dead. That’s it.”
Usman immediately took the centre of the octagon as Edwards was happy to operate outside and feints his way in.
An early teep was caught by the former champion although he did nothing with the countering opportunity.
Edwards showed improved takedown in the round, stuffing Usman’s first attempt to ground the fight, although he struggled to break his body lock.
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But seconds after breaking the lock, he soon found himself in full mount thanks to a beautiful trip.
A nasty elbow hurt Usman and forced him to give up his back, which Rocky took with ease.
And he almost cinched a rear-naked choke before the stanza was over.
Usman immediately puts the challenger under pressure after giving up the first round – closing the distance and not giving him any room to operate. on Edwards after the restart.
An accidental eye poke briefly paused proceedings, which resumed with Usman landing a heavy calf kick.
Edwards stung Usman with a big one-two but soon found himself. on the receiving end of a big right hand.
Usman eventually went back to his wrestling and grounded the fight until the end of the round.
The wrestling of Usman began to suffocate Edwards in the third and fourth rounds and seemed to take the spirit out of Edwards.
Usman continued to stifle and squeeze the heart out of Edwards with his wrestling and grappling against the cage in the fifth.
But with two minutes to go, Edwards lined him up with a picture-perfect head kick that separated Usman from consciousness and saw him become only the second Brit to hold UK gold.
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Edwards said of his insane comeback KO: “I know [I was behind] on the scorecards I know.
“But it doesn’t matter, I’m from the trenches. I’m built like this. I go until it’s done.
“I’m from the trenches. I’ve been doubted my whole life, but look at me now. Look at me now.”
He added: “I do this for this for Birmingham, I do this for the kids that grew up like I grew up, in the trenches.
“I do it for everyone who comes behind me. I told you it was possible. We can win a belt from the UK. I told you.
“Now look at me now, look at me now! I told you, I told you! Pound-for-pound, what?!”
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