Leon Edwards proved his first win over Kamaru Usman was no fluke after securing a majority determination of their trilogy to cap off UFC 286 on Saturday.
There was no last-minute heroics this time as Edwards placed on a powerful efficiency over all 5 rounds together with an enormous arsenal of kicks that simply constantly gave Usman issues all evening lengthy. Whereas Usman undoubtedly had his moments together with a number of takedowns, he simply wasn’t capable of put sufficient momentum collectively to sway the judges in his favor.
When the battle ended, the scores learn 48-46, 48-46 and 47-47 with Edwards getting the nod regardless of as soon as choose scoring the battle as a draw. That secures Edwards’ first title protection and extends his unbeaten streak to 12 fights in a row.
“I used to be touchdown cleaner photographs, I took out his legs,” Edwards stated when requested if he felt did sufficient to earn the win. “It was hardest battle to at the present time and I need to thanks for being an important competitor.
“Clearly him and his coaches labored the protection for [the head kicks]. Truthful play for him being disciplined all through the battle. I knew it was an in depth battle.”
There was plenty of confidence exuding from Edwards as he seemed fast and decisive together with his strikes together with a nasty physique kick that rattled off Usman’s midsection. Whereas Usman was searching for to shut the space, Edwards was doing an important job conserving him away with quick fingers and quite a lot of kicks up the center.
Edwards was additionally beginning to kick on the legs, which have been additionally inflicting Usman some complications whereas looking for a means inside. Because the welterweights exchanged strikes, Edwards blasted Usman with an enormous knee that appeared to wobble the previous champion.
Simply as shortly as he bought harm, Usman got here again and did the identical to Edwards with a large punch adopted by a takedown that allowed him to get again into the battle. Nonetheless, Edwards was fast to get again to his ft and got here proper again at him with one other mixture that clipped Usman on the chin.
Because the third spherical bought underway, Usman scored an early takedown however as Edwards was attempting to work his means again up once more he grabbed the fence in an egregious try to stop “The Nigerian Nightmare” from dragging him again down once more. That compelled referee Herb Dean to pause the competition and take some extent away from Edwards for the apparent foul.
With Usman nonetheless attempting to bully Edwards backwards in the direction of the cage, “Rocky” seemed to chip away at him with leg kicks. Edwards’ kicking recreation was undoubtedly his greatest weapon however Usman stayed undeterred as he continued to return again up prime together with his punches.
With time ticking away within the championship rounds, Usman was always attempting to return to his wrestling however Edwards was displaying unbelievable takedown protection all through. Edwards was additionally beginning to return to his head kick as he seemed to duplicate the end from their rematch this previous August.
Even with Usman managing a late takedown, Edwards shortly shrugged him off and stored throwing kicks to make sure he would go away the O2 Enviornment with the welterweight title nonetheless wrapped round his waist.
Whereas it clearly wasn’t the consequence he needed, Usman accepted the defeat and he promised to comeback sooner or later to problem for the title once more.
“I believe I did sufficient to win the battle however I knew it was an in depth battle,” Usman stated. “Nice recreation plan. I’ve at all times stated it from the beginning, I knew I might see Leon once more. I’m not completed. I’ll see him once more. I’ve at all times gave him props for every thing he’s been capable of accomplish. A lot respect.
“I’m going to get again with my coaches. I can’t sit for too lengthy. A lot respect to the fighters, we put it on the road for you guys every time.”
With a second win over Usman, Edwards has now moved previous that rivalry as he appears to be like to maneuver ahead within the welterweight division. Afterwards, Edwards was requested about what’s subsequent with two-time title challenger Colby Covington sitting within the entrance row however he wasted no time trying previous the at all times outspoken welterweight and as an alternative turned his consideration in the direction of Gilbert Burns vs. Jorge Masvidal at UFC 287.
“That man sat out for a like a yr and a half or two years. He ain’t fought no one,” Edwards stated about Covington. “I would take slightly journey to Miami [to UFC 287] and see what these two welterweights are occurring with and see what’s occurring there.”
