Salt LAKE CITY, UTAH – AUGUST 20: Jamaica’s Leon Edwards wins against Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman during UFC 278 at Vivent Arena on August 20, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah Celebrated after the welterweight title. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
saw other fighters react to Leon Edwards’ wild comeback knockout fight to take welterweight title from Kamaru Usman at UFC 278
Under what conditions would surely drop the greatest comeback in MMA history – let alone UFC – Leon Edwards beat Kamaru Usman in an absolute upset to become the new UFC second Middleweight champion.
Edwards surprised many in the first round, becoming the first fighter in UFC history to knock out Usman. Edwards also took full control of the opening, looking for Usman’s contributions. Unfortunately, Edwards went downhill from there.
Or so it seems.
Usman made a couple of high-profile shots in the second round, then went on to beat Edwards with a back-and-forth model. By the end of the fourth round, Edwards looked exhausted and the remaining five minutes seemed easy for the defending champions.
But in the literal last minute, Edwards’ header landed, snubbing Usman and becoming the new UFC champ, And broke the pound-for-pound best.
UFC 278: Pros React to Kamaru Usman & Leon Edwards
boom. Congrats man! I guess that’s a fair warning to everyone – never wear what Usman wore on media day! #ufc278 #gronkcast 🤯
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) August 21, 2022
I think it’s all Drake’s fault! He probably bet a lot on Aldo and Usman.
What a prank! #UFC278
— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) August 21, 2022
beautiful one foot. Congrats to the new champion
boom. Congrats man! I guess that’s a fair warning to everyone – never wear what Usman wore on media day! #ufc278 #gronkcast 🤯
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) August 21, 2022
What a prank! #UFC278
— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) August 21, 2022
beautiful one foot. Congrats to the new champion
– CH🖕🏽TO🇪🇨VERA (@chitoveraUFC) August 21, 2022
This championship game is the second time Usman and Edwards have met in the Octagon. The first time was at the UFC Fight Night event in December 2015, months after Usman won The Ultimate Fighter Season 21, Usman defeated Edwards by unanimous decision.
Usman, who won the UFC welterweight title at UFC 235, has defended his belt five times before tonight – vs. Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal twice and Gilbert Burns once.
Edwards is unbeaten tonight since losing to Usman. Edwards has won nine of his last 10 fights (a bout with Berard Mohammed without a fight), and his most recent fight before this title fight was at UFC 263 last year Defeat Nate Diaz.
UFC 278: Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards on August 2022 Saturday, 20th, live stream from the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Follow all your news and highlights with the live FanSided MMA.
