Leon Edwards News
Leon Edwards says Jorge Masvidal needs to “go out there and get some wins”, but admits the potential fight would be “massive”
Harry Kettle - August 30, 2022
Leon Edwards has said rival Jorge Masvidal needs to get back in the win column before the two share the Octagon. A few years back, Leon Edwards was the victim of a ‘three-piece and a sofa’ attack that came at the hands of Jorge Masvidal. Ever since that night, fans have been wondering if and when we’re going to see the pair face off inside the cage.
Chael Sonnen details controversy surrounding Leon Edwards title win over Kamaru Usman: “Leon cheated in that match a whole bunch of times”
Susan Cox - August 29, 2022
Chael Sonnen is detailing the controversy surrounding Leon Edwards title win over Kamaru Usman. It was Edwards (20-3 MMA) vs Usman (20-2 MMA) in the welterweight main event on Saturday, August 20th at UFC 278. It was to be Leon Edwards who stunned Kamaru Usman with a late knockout in round 5 to take the welterweight title.
Stephen Thompson praises Leon Edwards for "perfect technique" to KO Kamaru Usman, but believes 'The Nigerian Nightmare' wins the trilogy
Cole Shelton - August 25, 2022
Stephen Thompson believes Leon Edwards landed the perfect technique to KO Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. Edwards entered the fifth round clearly losing the fight and did not get off to the best start in the final frame. It appeared that Usman would be defending his belt by decision but Edwards landed a clean head kick that KO’d Usman in the final minute which Thompson says was a great technique.
‘Anatomy of a Fighter’ video from UFC 278 shows backstage footage of Kamaru Usman immediately following his KO loss to Leon Edwards
Josh Evanoff - August 25, 2022
Footage of Kamaru Usman’s reaction following UFC 278 has been released. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ faced Leon Edwards as the headliner in Salt Lake City last Saturday night. The bout was a rematch of their previous encounter at UFC on Fox in December 2015. In that outing, Usman scored a unanimous decision victory.
Daniel Cormier hits back at idea that Leon Edwards win over Kamaru Usman was a fluke: "It's not the first time he has knocked somebody out with this kick"
Josh Evanoff - August 24, 2022
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier doesn’t believe Leon Edwards’s knockout against Kamaru Usman was a fluke. In the main event of UFC 278 last Saturday night in Salt Lake City, ‘Rocky’ faced ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’. The matchup was a rematch of their previous outing in 2015 on UFC on Fox 17. In their first matchup, Usman scored a unanimous decision victory.
Daniel Cormier advises Leon Edwards to "big league" Jorge Masvidal following title win at UFC 278: “When he was the man, he could not say your name”
Harry Kettle - August 24, 2022
Daniel Cormier has given Leon Edwards some advice regarding a potential showdown with rival Jorge Masvidal. At UFC 278, Leon Edwards shocked the mixed martial arts world by knocking Kamaru Usman out to become the new UFC welterweight champion. By doing so, he obviously put a big target on his back – and plenty of fighters are gearing up to try and get a crack at ‘Rocky’ and the 170-pound strap.
Brendan Schaub credits Michael Bisping for setting groundwork for Leon Edwards's championship win: "He's the Rosa Parks of British fighters"
Josh Evanoff - August 23, 2022
Brendan Schaub believes UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has Michael Bisping to thank. ‘Rocky’ faced Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 last Saturday night in Salt Lake City, Utah. The bout was a rematch of their previous matchup in December 2015. In that outing, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ picked up the victory by unanimous decision.
Leon Edwards explains how his body shut down at UFC 278
Andrew Whitelaw - August 23, 2022
Leon Edwards made history at UFC 278 with a strong candidate for knockout of the year. His incredible headkick finish against Kamaru Usman late in the fifth round extended his winning streak to 10 fights and sealed his place in UFC history as only the second-ever British champion.
Leon Edwards states he would be willing to give Nate Diaz a title shot if he defeats Khamzat Chimaev: "Imagine the scenes"
Josh Evanoff - August 22, 2022
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has stated he’d be willing to rematch Nate Diaz. ‘Rocky’ faced the Stockton-native at UFC 263 last June. In that outing, Edwards scored the biggest win of his career by unanimous decision. However, the victory didn’t come easy, as the Brit was badly rocked in round five.
Kamaru Usman opens as big favorite in potential trilogy bout against Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2022
Kamaru Usman will still be favored to beat Leon Edwards when they fight for the third time. Usman closed as a -380 favorite against Edwards at UFC 278 and was well on his way to winning the bout until the Brit landed a perfectly timed head kick that KO’d the champ with less than a minute left.
What's next for the stars of UFC 278?
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2022
The Octagon headed to Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday for a solid UFC 278 card, which saw the welterweight title on the line in the main event. In the main event, Kamaru Usman was looking to defend his belt and tie Anderson Silva’s record of starting out a UFC career 16-0 as he rematched Leon Edwards. In the co-main event, Paulo Costa took on Luke Rockhold while Merab Dvalishvili fought Jose Aldo on the main card.
Watch Israel Adesanya react to Leon Edwards knocking out Kamaru Usman at UFC 278: “I’m so happy for Leon and Tim, but then I’m so sad for Kamaru”
Susan Cox - August 22, 2022
Watch middleweight champion Israel Adesanya react to Leon Edwards knocking out Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. It was Usman (20-2 MMA) vs Edwards in the welterweight main event at UFC 278 which took place at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The welterweight champion Usman was de-throned by Edwards via way of a knockout head kick in round 5 (see that here).
Watch Henry Cejudo and Ali Abdelaziz’s live reactions to Leon Edwards head kick KO of Kamaru Usman (Video)
Harry Kettle - August 22, 2022
Henry Cejudo and Ali Abdelaziz’s reaction to Kamaru Usman‘s knockout loss at UFC 278 has been released. At UFC 278 on Saturday night, Kamaru Usman’s fantastic reign as UFC welterweight champion came to an end when he was knocked out cold by Leon Edwards. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ appeared to be less than a minute away from successfully defending his title for the sixth time, only for ‘Rocky’ to spring a huge surprise by landing a nasty head kick that sent Usman to the shadow realm.
Video | Leon Edwards corner advice at UFC 278 mixed with Rocky theme music
Harry Kettle - August 22, 2022
Leon Edwards’ win at UFC 278 just got even more epic courtesy of this amazing Rocky remix that’s going viral. Last Saturday night in Salt Lake City, Leon Edwards was finally able to climb to the top of the mountain as he knocked Kamaru Usman out cold to become the new UFC welterweight champion. In doing so, the 30-year-old became just the second British UFC champion and provided MMA fans with one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport.
Video | Colby Covington reacts to Leon Edwards' nasty knockout of Kamaru Usman at UFC 278
Fernando Quiles - August 21, 2022
Colby Covington was just as stunned by Leon Edwards‘ win over Kamaru Usman as you’d imagine. Edwards walked into Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah as the underdog for his UFC Welterweight Championship fight against Usman. In the opening frame of the UFC 278 main event, it appeared as if “Rocky” was ready to prove his doubters wrong.
Kamaru Usman issues statement following knockout loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 278
Christopher Taylor - August 20, 2022
Kamaru Usman endured his first setback in over 9 years in the headliner of tonight’s UFC 278 event, suffering a brutal KO loss to Leon Edwards. Usman (20-2 MMA) and Edwards (20-3 MMA) collided for the promotions welterweight title this evening in Salt Lake City. The pair had previously met back in December of 2015, with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare‘ earning a unanimous decision victory.
UFC 278 Bonus Report: Leon Edwards pockets $50k for brutal knockout over Kamaru Usman
Chris Taylor - August 20, 2022
The Octagon invaded Salt Lake City for tonight’s UFC 278 event, a twelve-bout fight card headlined by Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2. Tonight’s welterweight title fight main event rematch proved to be a back and forth affair. Leon Edwards got off to a terrific start in the fight, taking Usman down and having his back for a good portion of the opening round. However, Kamaru Usman would turn the tide back in his favor in rounds two, three and four, leaving ‘Rocky’ needing a finish in the fifth and final round. Well, Edwards delivered just that, ending Usman’s night with a thunderous head kick in the last minute of the final frame.
Pros react after Leon Edwards KO's Kamaru Usman at UFC 278
Chris Taylor - August 20, 2022
Tonight’s UFC 278 event was headlined by a rematch between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards for the promotions welterweight title. Usman (20-2 MMA) and Edwards (20-3 MMA) had originally met back in December of 2015, with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare‘ earning a unanimous decision victory. Following that win, Kamaru Usman went on to score thirteen straight victories, this while capturing the UFC welterweight title and defending it on five straight occasions in the process.