Leon Edwards claims the UFC welterweight title after a powerful head kick KO secured him the win against Kamaru Usman.
Edwards, 30, becomes the second fighter in British history to claim a UFC title, following on from Michael Bisping’s win in 2016. Behind on points in the fifth, Edwards shocked both Usman and the audience with a powerful left high-kick which stunned Usman.
UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 took place on August 20, 2022 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Ever since the fight concluded with Edwards’ win, Twitter has been flooded with memes about the startling KO. Let’s take a look at some of our favourites and see was Usman had to say about his loss.
Leon Edwards KO’d Kamaru Usman in the fifth
Leon “Rocky” Edwards secured what is being described as one of “the greatest comebacks in mixed martial arts history” in the UFC 278 event.
It looked as if Edwards was headed for defeat on the judges scorecards before stunning with a left-foot kick to the head which left Kamaru Usman knocked out.
Usman was coming into the fight strong, making his sixth title defence. The 35-year-old Nigerian fighter looked set to claim the win against Birmingham’s own Leon Edwards, relying on his typical suffocating wrestling fighting style. But with just 56 seconds left to fight, Edwards surprised with his KO kick.
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UFC memes takeover Twitter after Usman’s defeat
One particular image of Kamaru Usman after being knocked out has become the talk of Twitter. Fans of UFC have taken the image and made it into a meme. Check out some of the best below:
Memes turn to Kamaru Usman’s Black Panther appearance
Kamaru Usman is set to star in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the sequel which is set to be released later this year.
Usman was confirmed to have a cameo role in the Marvel film earlier this month, although details about his role in the film are yet to be announced.
Now, after his loss against Leon Edwards at UFC 278, some Twitter users are joking that his Black Panther role might suffer:
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Usman congratulates Edwards on his win
Although Leon Edwards’ fans are celebrating Kamaru Usman’s loss, Usman proved he is ever the sportsman and that there are no hard feelings here.
Usman took to Twitter to congratulate his opponent on taking home the title. Shortly after the fight, Usman tweeted that “things happen but … we move.” He went on to say “congratulations,” tagging Leon Edwards in the post.
But as is the way in UFC, it might be some time before Usman lives down these memes.