UFC 286: Usman loses bid to regain title from Leon Edwards by decision
Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman failed to regain his UFC title from Leon Edwards after suffering another setback losing the welterweight title fight at UFC 286 by majority decision.
It's the end of an era for Kamaru Usman, but it was an era that will always be remembered.
He defended his title 5x and always fought the best of the division.
Unquestionably, one of the greatest of all time. pic.twitter.com/qQaMGMbH5h
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) March 19, 2023
Pure class from Kamaru Usman 💯@USMAN84kg l #UFC286 pic.twitter.com/JMXmSDZgxh
— ESPN (@espn) March 19, 2023
A performance that saw Edwards extending his unbeaten streak to 12 in his first defence of the title.
Judges scored the trilogy fight at the O2 Arena in London 48-46, 48-46, 47-47 in favour of the Briton, who landed the cleaner blows as their third fight went the distance.
“I knew I could go out there and take his shots,” Edwards said. “Even when he was pressuring, not much happened.”
This was their third meeting, more than seven years after the first fight won by Usman.
This was one of the coolest moments that ever took place during a UFC intro.
Kamaru Usman walked right up to Leon Edwards to intimidate him and then Leon made a gun with his hand and started firing.
Reminding him about the headshot. pic.twitter.com/KadUgpzbV6
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) March 19, 2023
Edwards made an encouraging start, connecting with two heavy body kicks in the opening round. The 31-year-old’s greater speed unsettled Usman, but the challenger took Edwards down briefly in round two before both fighters traded some heavy blows.
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 defence went down to the wire.
Leon Edwards beat Kamaru Usman again. Majority decision this time. pic.twitter.com/yokjiNwx3o
— 🐬 @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) March 19, 2023
LEON EDWARDS BEATS KAMARU USMAN BY DECISION 🔥
Edwards defends his Welterweight Title pic.twitter.com/ouDM577oBv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 19, 2023
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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 at UFC 278.
“I think I did enough to win the fight,” Usman, 35, told BT Sport after the defeat. “I’m not done.”
He also showed good sportsmanship when talking about Edwards’ win: “I knew it was a close fight. Great game plan. I’ve always said it from the start, I knew I’d see Leon again and I’m not done. I’ll see him again.
“I’ve always given him props for everything he’s been able to accomplish. He’s just like me. It’s in his blood. Much respect, London. You’ve got yourself a great champion and a hell of a guy.”