Leon Edwards retains his UFC welterweight title after a strong performance in his trilogy bout with Kamaru Usman.
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In the main event of UFC 286 in London on Saturday evening, Leon Edwards did all in his power to maintain his welterweight championship over five grueling rounds, including bending and breaching multiple regulations. Edwards won a majority decision against Kamaru Usman, cementing himself as the top 170-pound fighter in the world.
Edwards’ claim to the kingdom was called into question as he waited until the final minute of his battle with Usman at UFC 278 to land a head kick knockout in a contest Usman had mainly dominated.
Edwards had a great start in this match, maintaining distance effectively and dominating the hitting exchanges. His most successful shots were kicks to the body and legs, which may have been a set-up for another head kick like the one that earned him the welterweight title in his previous fight with Usman.
Edwards’ knee to the chin was the first strike of the night to stagger either opponent, temporarily putting Usman on rubber legs. Usman demonstrated that the aforementioned head kick did not ruin his chin by responding with a massive right hand, securing a takedown, and hitting a barrage of punches to the head as Edwards battled back to his feet.
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Usman continued to improve his wrestling as the bout progressed, resulting in a pivotal moment in which Edwards utilized a fence hold to avoid being brought down. After the illegal motion prevented Usman from scoring the takedown, referee Herb Dean immediately stopped the fight and awarded Edwards a point. Edwards nearly lost a second-round point after delivering his second low punch of the fight, which was combined with a glove grab that earned him a warning.
Edwards eventually delivered the head kick he’d been working on the fight, mixing it in between uppercuts and straight punches in the last round. In the fifth of five close rounds, Edwards’ ability to resist takedowns was crucial, continuously defending against Usman to strike and promptly rebounding back to his feet when he was dragged to the ground.
As the bout proceeded to the scorecards, it appeared that either man might win the decision – or that the Edwards point penalty would result in a draw. Instead, Edwards was re-elected by a majority vote, eliciting wild applause from the London audience when the official scores of 48-46, 48-46, and 47-47 were read.
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Stephen Thompson declines the quick turnaround fight and wants Usman next.
