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Set for Colby Covington fight
Edwards will fight Colby Covington at UFC 296 as the event's headliner, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman in March to become the UFC welterweight champion and will look to defend his position against Covington at UFC 296. Covington hasn't entered the ring since his unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal in March of 2022 but he'll have an opportunity to prove himself as the best fighter in the welterweight division.
Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman in March to become the UFC welterweight champion and will look to defend his position against Covington at UFC 296. Covington hasn't entered the ring since his unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal in March of 2022 but he'll have an opportunity to prove himself as the best fighter in the welterweight division.
Strong effort to retain UFC gold
Edwards successfully retained his UFC Welterweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Kamaru Usman via majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-47) at UFC 286 in London.
ANALYSIS
Unbelievable. Edwards had no business winning the fight between the two seven months ago which originally earned him the title, having been dominated the entire bout until a miracle head kick in the closing seconds knocked Usman out cold. He put forth a much more complete effort in this one. Perhaps it was because he was fighting in his native England, or perhaps it was because he simply picked up some tells after so much time in the Octagon with his opponent. Edwards landed the more effective and damaging strikes throughout the course of the fight. He did allow Usman to land four more takedowns, but Edwards, for the most part, didn't let Kamaru control the pace of the fight on the mat even when in a compromising position. The only reasons the scorecards appeared as close as they were was because referee Herb Dean (correctly) docked Edwards a point in Round 3 for an illegal fence grab which prevented a takedown. It's difficult to envision a scenario in which Leon could have put forth a better performance. Colby Covington -- who was in attendance -- may be the biggest winner of this result, as he seems likely to be next in line for a title shot, something he likely wouldn't have received if Usman had retained the gold.
Unbelievable. Edwards had no business winning the fight between the two seven months ago which originally earned him the title, having been dominated the entire bout until a miracle head kick in the closing seconds knocked Usman out cold. He put forth a much more complete effort in this one. Perhaps it was because he was fighting in his native England, or perhaps it was because he simply picked up some tells after so much time in the Octagon with his opponent. Edwards landed the more effective and damaging strikes throughout the course of the fight. He did allow Usman to land four more takedowns, but Edwards, for the most part, didn't let Kamaru control the pace of the fight on the mat even when in a compromising position. The only reasons the scorecards appeared as close as they were was because referee Herb Dean (correctly) docked Edwards a point in Round 3 for an illegal fence grab which prevented a takedown. It's difficult to envision a scenario in which Leon could have put forth a better performance. Colby Covington -- who was in attendance -- may be the biggest winner of this result, as he seems likely to be next in line for a title shot, something he likely wouldn't have received if Usman had retained the gold.
Set for rematch with Usman
Edwards will face Kamaru Usman in a welterweight title fight at UFC 286 in London on March 18, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the trilogy between the two elite fighters will conclude in London. When Edwards and Usman last matched up Aug. 20, Edwards scored a knockout win over Usman in the fifth round to complete an epic comeback.
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the trilogy between the two elite fighters will conclude in London. When Edwards and Usman last matched up Aug. 20, Edwards scored a knockout win over Usman in the fifth round to complete an epic comeback.
Wild comeback victory to take belt from Usman
Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman via KO (head kick) at 4:04 of Round 5 at UFC 278 to become the new UFC Welterweight Champion.
ANALYSIS
Edwards was clearly behind on the scorecards heading into the final frame, but a perfectly-placed head kick led to one of the most exhilarating moments of 2022, possibly of all-time. Prior to the amazing finish, the improvements in Edwards' grappling were evident early, as he was able to quickly scramble out of disadvantageous positions in Round 1 and even recorded a takedown on Usman for the first time in Usman's UFC career. Edwards proceeded to take the back and threatened with a deep rear-naked choke, but wasn't able to record the submission before the bell. While Edwards did land some shots in the next frame, Round 2 appeared to go to the champion, as Usman led the striking tally and finished with a takedown to likely secure the frame. Edwards dropped Round 3 as well, as Usman made a heavy commitment to the body while also recording multiple takedowns and racking up control time. Edwards was visibly exhausted heading to his corner before the championship rounds, due largely to the grinding style of the champion (though altitude may have played a role, as it did in several other fights on the evening). He had enough in the tank to initiate a clinch and control the first few minutes of Round 4, but quickly after the break, Usman recorded a seemingly-easy double-leg takedown, making Edwards carry his weight and racking up ground strikes. Usman stayed in a dominant position the rest of the frame before racking up some big strikes in the final seconds. Entering Round 5 and needing a finish, Edwards started slow before the perfectly-placed head kick ended the proceedings instantly. It will go down as one of the most stunning come-from-behind victories in UFC history, and likely lead to a rematch against Usman down the road (UFC President Dana White did confirm in the post-fight press conference that he plans to conclude the trilogy in London). In the meantime, Edwards will deservingly take home a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, further adding to his incredible, title-winning evening.
Edwards was clearly behind on the scorecards heading into the final frame, but a perfectly-placed head kick led to one of the most exhilarating moments of 2022, possibly of all-time. Prior to the amazing finish, the improvements in Edwards' grappling were evident early, as he was able to quickly scramble out of disadvantageous positions in Round 1 and even recorded a takedown on Usman for the first time in Usman's UFC career. Edwards proceeded to take the back and threatened with a deep rear-naked choke, but wasn't able to record the submission before the bell. While Edwards did land some shots in the next frame, Round 2 appeared to go to the champion, as Usman led the striking tally and finished with a takedown to likely secure the frame. Edwards dropped Round 3 as well, as Usman made a heavy commitment to the body while also recording multiple takedowns and racking up control time. Edwards was visibly exhausted heading to his corner before the championship rounds, due largely to the grinding style of the champion (though altitude may have played a role, as it did in several other fights on the evening). He had enough in the tank to initiate a clinch and control the first few minutes of Round 4, but quickly after the break, Usman recorded a seemingly-easy double-leg takedown, making Edwards carry his weight and racking up ground strikes. Usman stayed in a dominant position the rest of the frame before racking up some big strikes in the final seconds. Entering Round 5 and needing a finish, Edwards started slow before the perfectly-placed head kick ended the proceedings instantly. It will go down as one of the most stunning come-from-behind victories in UFC history, and likely lead to a rematch against Usman down the road (UFC President Dana White did confirm in the post-fight press conference that he plans to conclude the trilogy in London). In the meantime, Edwards will deservingly take home a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, further adding to his incredible, title-winning evening.
Title fight set for August
Edwards will meet Kamaru Usman (hand) for the welterweight title in Salt Lake City on August 20.
ANALYSIS
A fight between Edwards and Usman has appeared to be on the table for some time, but Usman needed time to recover from February hand surgery. His agent previously indicated that an August matchup wasn't possible, but that's evidently no longer the case. Edwards' last loss came to Usman back in December of 2015, but he's since gone on to go undefeated in 10 straight matches. Usman, on the other hand, has won 19 fights in a row and has been the champion since he defeated Tyron Woodley by unanimous decision in March of 2019.
A fight between Edwards and Usman has appeared to be on the table for some time, but Usman needed time to recover from February hand surgery. His agent previously indicated that an August matchup wasn't possible, but that's evidently no longer the case. Edwards' last loss came to Usman back in December of 2015, but he's since gone on to go undefeated in 10 straight matches. Usman, on the other hand, has won 19 fights in a row and has been the champion since he defeated Tyron Woodley by unanimous decision in March of 2019.