Edwards knocked out Kamaru Usman in the final round of the main event of UFC 278 here at Vivint Arena on Saturday night with a head kick. Leon Edwards has shocked the MMA world.
Five minutes, four seconds into the fifth round, the fight came to an end. In terms of pound-for-pound, Usman was considered one of the best fighters in the world.
UFC record of Anderson Silva was broken by Edwards, who ended Usman's 15-fight winning streak. The knockout was one of the most stunning in sports history.
Whenever I try to explain how I feel, it is impossible for me to find the right words." Edwards said.
Usman dominated the fight after the first round. As Usman leaned down to defend Edwards' left, Edwards caught him flush with a left head kick. He was less than a minute away from defending his title.
The Salt Lake City fans started the night chanting for Usman, but ended it chanting "Rocky," Edwards' nickname. Edwards said, "Look at me now!". Look at me now! I'm pound-for-pound the best!"
At welterweight, Usman is the top pound-for-pound fighter on ESPN. In the ESPN welterweight rankings, Edwards was ranked No. 4. Usman won unanimously in a rematch from December 2015.
Edwards (20-3, 1 NC) has been unbeaten for nearly seven years. Since that 2015 fight with Usman, he has not lost. The 30-year-old has a 12-2 (1 NC) UFC record.
Prior to Saturday's loss, Usman (20-2) had defended his title five times. In March 2019, he beat Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 to become UFC welterweight champion.