By Kamsi Anayo with reports
Leon Edwards shocks the world with incredible head kick KO of Nigerian Kamaru Usman at UFC 278.
The ‘Rocky’ snatches victory from the jaws of defeat to become second British champion in history.
The British fighter made history as he knocked out welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in sensational style – delivering a head-kick that left the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ on the canvas.
He produced a stunning KO on Kamaru Usman – one of the toughest fighters in the game.
A chance at a UFC belt seemed like it might have been fading for Edwards, who had been chasing a fight with Usman for a long time – and it’s finally paid dividends.
With just one minute left on the clock and many already writing the obituary of his title shot, Edwards feinted forwards, drew Usman into a lean to his right where he was unceremoniously dispatched with a shin bone across the jaw.
Though Edwards was seen as a tough opponent, not many thought that it would be the Brit to deliver Kamaru Usman’s first ever loss in the UFC.
In his post-fight interview, Edwards said: ‘I cant put it into words Joe. It’s been a long long four years. They all said I couldn’t do it, look at me now! Pound-for-pound, headshot, dead!
And cameras caught the moment Edwards spoke to his mother just claiming the welterweight belt – and it’s an emotional one.
The 30-year-old was pictured walking back to his dressing room while on FaceTime with his mum and the fighter can be heard saying: ‘I told you mum, I told you I’d do it!’ before becoming overwhelmed with emotion.
‘I told you mum, I told you I’d do it!: Leon Edwards is overcome with emotion on Facetime call home after his epic triumph following head kick KO of Kamaru Usman in Salt Lake City.
‘It doesn’t matter, I’m from the trenches. I’m built like this. I’ve been doubted my whole life, but look at me now. Look at me now.
‘I told you it’s possible to win a belt for the UK. I told you!’
The Birmingham fighter claimed he’s ‘been doubted my whole life’.
The Jamaican-born Edwards was a huge underdog coming into the fight – especially having lost the first encounter between the two fighters.
In 2015, Usman dominated Edwards with a masterful display of wrestling expertise to earn himself a unanimous decision victory over the Brit.
But seven years on, Edwards has finally redeemed himself in the best way possible – getting his hands on a UFC title belt.
Though he’s clearly more emotional, his words to his mother weren’t far off what he said in the octagon to Joe Rogan.