Leon Edwards retains welterweight title with thrilling factors win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 in London

Seven months on from his beautiful win over The Nigerian Nightmare in Salt Lake Metropolis, the pair fought for a 3rd time and this time in entrance of Edwards’ house followers on the O2 Enviornment.

In an action-packed struggle, it was nervy all through and Edwards had some extent deducted within the third spherical for a fence seize.

That left it proper within the steadiness because the bout went the space, nevertheless it was Rocky who obtained the bulk choice, profitable 48-46 on two of the playing cards with it 47-47 on the opposite, to increase his unbeaten streak to 12 fights.

“He didn’t get any takedowns I used to be touchdown cleaner pictures,” Edwards mentioned. “I took out his legs.

“Due to Kamaru for being an ideal competitior. I couldn’t get the kick round his head. He had the right defence. I used to be attempting to set it up with kicks to the physique and legs.

“I do know it was a detailed struggle so I knew I needed to land the cleaner pictures. He didn’t land many clear on me. He simply had numerous strain.”

On arguably the most important night time of UFC motion in British historical past, Edwards landed sharp leg and physique kicks all through the struggle, although it was his takedown defence that was maybe probably the most spectacular factor of his gameplan. Usman more and more tried to work on the bottom however, except for the factors deduction, Edwards was rock-solid.

Usman minimize a annoyed determine for almost all of the 25 minutes, complaining about low blows on a number of events whereas Edwards was additionally warned for grabbing his opponents’ glove.

That was not sufficient to forestall Usman falling to back-to-back defeats Edwards, having been on a 19-fight profitable streak that included victory over Rocky in 2015. The 35-year-old insisted although he has no intention of retiring.

“I feel I did sufficient to win the struggle however I knew it was shut,” he mentioned after the bout.

“He had an ideal gameplan. I all the time mentioned from the beginning we’d meet once more and I’m not finished. We’ll see one another once more.

“I all the time gave him props for what he’s achieved. Nice respect. London, you’ve obtained your self a hell of a man and an ideal champion.”

On when he may return to the octagon, Usman added: “Not too lengthy. I’ll get again with my coaches. I’m a kind of guys, I can’t sit for too lengthy.”