Leon Edwards wins welterweight title at UFC 278

Leon Edwards is the new UFC welterweight Champion.

At Saturday’s UFC 278 event, Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman by knockout after he connected a head kick at 4:04 of round 5. This ends Usman’s run with the welterweight title after 1,267 days, originally defeating Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 on March 2, 2019.

“We were writing his obituary,” said Daniel Corimer on commentary. During the fifth round, announcers had speculated that Edwards had been defeated, as Usman had been in control of most of the match heading into the final round.

“I told it was possible we could win a belt from the UK,” Edwards, who is from Birmingham, said in his post-fight interview. “I told you. Now look at me now! Look at me now! I told you I could do it!”

The two previously fought in 2015, with Usman winning the fight by unanimous decision. This was only the second loss of Usman’s career, losing his second-ever fight to Jose Caceres back in 2013.