‘Damn I love this sport!’: Kamaru Usman sends classy message of ‘congratulations’ to Leon Edwards after the Brit produced a spectacular comeback knockout against him to take the UFC Welterweight title
- Leon Edwards came up with a spectacular head kick to beat Kamaru Usman
- It ended Usman’s reign as UFC Welterweight champion after five defences
- The Nigerian-American sent Edwards a message of congratulations afterwards
- He also vowed to ‘bounce back with a vengeance’ after losing his title
Kamaru Usman has congratulated Leon Edwards after losing to the Brit at UFC 278 on Saturday night.
Edwards won the UFC Welterweight title off of Usman with a spectacular head kick in the final round after a rousing pep talk from coach Dave Lovell.
It made the 30 year-old just the second British champion in UFC history, after MMA legend Mike Bisping.
Leon Edwards came from a losing position to beat Kamaru Usman with a spectacular head kick
Usman sent Edwards a classy message of congratulations after losing his UFC title
The Nigerian-American also vowed to ‘bounce back with a vengeance’ after the loss
Speaking on Instagram, the defeated Usman said: Damn I love this sport! Things happen but… Alhamdulillah we move! congratulations Leon Edwards.’
The Nigerian-American had previously defended the title five times after winning it off Tyron Woodley in 2019.
He was taken to hospital as a precaution after the fight, but tweeted shortly after the fight to say: ‘Champs f*** up sometimes. But we bounce back and come with vengeance!’
Edwards’ win made him just the second British UFC Champion in history after Mike Bisping
In his post-fight interview, Edwards said: ‘I can’t put it into words Joe. It’s been a long long four years. They all said I couldn’t do it, look at me now! Pound-for-pound, headshot, dead!
‘It doesn’t matter, I’m from the trenches. I’m built like this. I’ve been doubted my whole life, but look at me now. Look at me now.
‘I told you it’s possible to win a belt for the UK. I told you!’
UFC President Dana White said after the fight: ‘I thought that Usman fought the perfect fight. It’s crazy, I was listening to the commentary of Joe Rogan, Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier, and they were spot on in everything they were saying about what Leon needed to do.
UFC chief Dana White said there will be trilogy fight and it could be held at Wembley
‘And as soon as they were saying it, he literally lands the head-kick.
‘Usman fought with absolute and total confidence all night. 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 the head, elbows – he couldn’t have fought a more perfect fight.
‘There are no lopsided, one-sided, fights in this sport. The problem with this fight was, people wouldn’t give Leon enough credit. He’s a very dangerous opponent.’
He also hinted at a third fight between the pair who first faced each other in 2015, saying: ‘How do you not do it?’
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