It looked like Kamaru Usman was going to successfully defend his welterweight title for the sixth time until Leon Edwards shocked the world with a devastating head kick to turn the sport on its head in the UFC 278 main event.
Up to that exact moment, Edwards was down on the scorecards with Usman less than a minute away from victory, but it all changed in the blink of an eye.
“I thought that Usman fought the perfect fight,” UFC President Dana White said at the UFC 278 post-fight press conference. It was unbelievable because, as I listened to the commentary [Joe] Rogan, [Jon] Anik, and [Daniel Cormier] all agreed with what Edwards should do. He literally hits the head kick .”
as soon as he hears them say it.
Although Usman lost the first round to Edwards, who became the first fighter in history to take down “The Nigerian Nightmare”, the fight’s momentum changed drastically after that. Edwards was put under pressure by Usman, who began to take down Edwards with numerous takedowns. The champ started to dish out some punishment as the fight faded into the final round.
“You think of everything that was on the line for Usman tonight, and Usman fought with absolute and total confidence all night,” White said. “He fought the perfect fight.
“It might not be the most fan friendly style, but he was landing big shots to the body, big shots to the head, elbows. Couldn’t have fought a more perfect fight until the last minute.”
The unpredictability of the fight’s ending only reinforced White’s determination when faced with matchups in which an underdog appears doomed.
“It’s how crazy this sport is,” White said. “It’s what makes this sport the greatest sport in the world. You can endure four rounds of fight and only take four minutes. This sport is open to all. It’s almost like “this fight is one-sided and lopsided” — this sport has no one-sided or lopsided fights. It’s possible to do anything. Talking to you this week, I stated that Leon is a dangerous enemy and people don’t give him enough credit. Wow.
” We’re likely in an awkward situation. There was only a few seconds left and it looked like Usman was in for a knockout. Then boom! A head kick. It’s what makes this sport so great, so exciting and why it’s so fun. You can never take it for granted and think that something’s over until it’s over.”
The win crowns Edwards as the undisputed champion, but he’s also now tied 1-1 with Usman after they previously clashed in 2015. In addition, Usman is a long-serving champion and has less than one minute to defend another title. That’s why White says a trilogy between Edwards and Usman is almost a certainty once the dust settles from UFC 278, and he doesn’t expect any major delays in making it happen.
“How do you not [do a trilogy]? Yeah [I want to do it in England],” White revealed. White said, “I don’t believe [Leon would] has to wait and sit.” He wouldn’t have to wait that long. He’d have to go back into camp and start training anyway.
” We’d need to know the date. I think we’re booked up into January now. He won’t be waiting, even though it’s a .”
rematch
