Hours after the defeat of Nigerian-born British boxer, Anthony Josuah, who lost his heavyweight title to Oleksandr Usyk in the early hours of Sunday, another Nigerian, Kamaru Usman, has lost his welterweight title to Leon Edwards at the UFC 278.
Usman was knocked unconscious with a head kick at 4.04 of Round 5, USA Today reports.
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Following the loss, Usman tweeted, “Champs f*** up sometimes… but we bounce back and come with vengeance!! #NGHTMR.”
The knockout blow came after nearly four rounds of relative domination by the champion Usman, who stifled Edwards with strong cardio, grappling, and control.
Edwards looked noticeably frustrated at times, but came back win the bout.
A left high kick blocked out of the line-of-sight of Usman by a left jab, slipped up and cranked the champion, who went down.
“You all doubted me that I couldn’t do it,” Edwards said in the cage after the fight. “Look at me now. Look at it: pound-for-pound, headshot, dead. That’s it.”
Usman had largely dominated all facets of Round 2, 3, 4, and the portion of 5 before the knockout blow.
Usman was considered by many, including UFC president Dana White, as the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in MMA prior to UFC 278.
Usman’s first title reign ends with five defenses, including wins over Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, and Gilbert Burns. His winning streak was snapped at 18.
Since December 2015, Edwards has not lost. In the nearly seven years since, Edwards has gone 10-0 with one no contest. Other wins included Nate Diaz, Rafael dos Anjos and Donald Cerrone.
Edwards’ loss in December 2015 came against none other than Usman.
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