Leon Edwards DEFENDS UFC welterweight title in thrilling five-round masterclass against Kamaru Usman, with British star lighting up O2 Arena in London at UFC 286 to claim majority decision
- Leon Edwards defended his UFC welterweight title after a majority decision win
- The British fighter came out on top in a five-round bout with Kamaru Usman
- Edwards suffered a point deduction in round three but still managed to win
Leon Edwards delivered a tactical masterclass over a thrilling five rounds to defend his welterweight title at UFC 286 in London.
Rocky’ claimed a majority decision and the overwhelming tension when the scorecards were read out soon morphed into relief and jubilation inside the packed O2 Arena.
The challenger knew full well he was in hostile territory when he was serenaded by the chant: ‘Head shot, dead’, and Edwards rode the wave of his support in a performance of total concentration.
He stuffed most of Usman’s takedown attempts and landed the more punishing shots in the fight, ending as the fresher man.
He was rewarded for punishing Usman with a barrage of leg kicks, slowing the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’, who marched forward with his usual suffocating style.
The British fighter came out on top after the five-round war, with the three judges scoring it 48-46, 48-46 and 47-47 in his favour.
Edwards suffered a points deduction during the third round, after holding onto the cage, but still managed to come out on top in the huge clash.
British welterweight Leon Edwards successfully defended his UFC title on Saturday night
Edwards (L) beat Kamaru Usman (R) via majority decision at the O2 Arena in London
Edwards was hoisted onto the shoulders of his team as he celebrated the historic victory
Usman (L) has now lost back-to-back fights for the first time in his professional fighting career
Edwards, arguably, took the first round after some smooth striking and fierce body-kicks looked to have Usman re-thinking his gameplan.
Into the second round and former champion Usman stepped up the intensity, maintained control of the octagon and kept up the search for a takedown.
The third round caused drama, as Edwards was deducted a point mid-way through the round.
Usman had his hands locked round the champion’s back but Edwards held onto the cage in order to prevent the takedown.
Herb Dean immediately called a halt to proceedings and deducted a point from Edwards. Understandably, the home crowd were not happy with the decision.
Luckily, it would not prove costly for Edwards. The Brit continued to pick his shots wisely and produced some sleek combos that caused problems for Usman.
The fifth and final round was arguably his most dominant, as Edwards marched forward and looked to sway the bout in his favour.
After the 25 minutes were up, both Edwards and Usman wheeled away in celebration before the judges eventually ruled in the Brit’s favour.
Edwards has now beaten Usman on two occasions after initially beating him in August
