Leon Edwards retained his welterweight title Saturday in London, beating challenger Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 by majority decision.
LONDON — Leon Edwards retained his welterweight title Saturday, beating challenger Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 by majority decision.
Judges scored the trilogy fight at the O2 Arena in London 48-46, 48-46, 47-47 in favor of the Jamaican-born Brit, who landed the cleaner blows as their third fight went the distance.The 31-year-old Edwards’ greater speed unsettled Usman, but the challenger took Edwards down briefly in round two before both fighters traded some heavy blows.
Usman grappled Edwards to the floor again early in the third and the latter was docked a point for grabbing the fence. A similar pattern unfolded in the fourth, which was just as tight, with Edwards looking to keep his distance as Usman tried to get in close.Edwards evaded two more takedown attempts in the final round and caught Usman with an uppercut, but took a hit to the body as his title defense went down to the wire.
Edwards had ended Usman’s long reign as champion with a kick to the Nigerian’s head and neck in the fifth round in Salt Lake City in August in UFC 278.Leon Edwards lands a punch on Kamaru Usman.“I think I did enough to win the fight,” the 35-year-old Usman told BT Sport after Saturday’s defeat. “I’m not done.”American Justin Gaethje beat Rafael Fiziev in the lightweight category by majority decision, 29-28, 29-28, 28-28.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UFC 286: Leon Edwards proves title win is no fluke in decision victory over Kamaru UsmanAnyone who thought Leon Edwards' victory over Kamaru Usman in a welterweight title fight in August was a fluke needs to think again.
Read more »
UFC 286: Leon Edwards retains title by majority decision against Kamaru UsmanThe 31-year-old Edwards’ greater speed unsettled Usman, but the challenger took Edwards down briefly in round two before both fighters traded some heavy blows.
Read more »
UFC 286: Perspective is key for Kamaru Usman coming off crushing loss to Leon EdwardsFor an athlete coming off an unexpected and potentially soul-crushing defeat, perspective is critically important. Kamaru Usman could look at his knockout defeat to Leon Edwards, which happened in the waning seconds of the final round of a bout he was poised to win by wide decision at UFC 278 on Aug. 20 in multiple ways.
Read more »
UFC 286 picks and predictions: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman in LondonUFC 286 is live from The O2 Arena in London, England, and boy, do we have a treat.
Read more »
Kamaru Usman Says He's Better Than Edwards, And Leon Knows It!Leon Edwards may officially be UFC champion, but Kamaru Usman says Rocky knows who's truly the best 170 lb. fighter in the world, and it's The Nigerian Nightmare!
Read more »
Leon Edwards seeks trilogy victory, homeland title defense at UFC 286Seven months ago, Leon Edwards pulled off one of the most stunning comebacks in UFC history, knocking out Kamaru Usman to win the welterweight title.
Read more »