MMA is arguably the most unpredictable sport in the world, and Saturday night was another prime example of that during the main event of UFC 278.
The welterweight championship of the world was up for grabs in the main event between challenger Leon Edwards facing off against the champion Kamaru Usman.
The fight was utterly controlled by Usman for the majority of the fight and he appeared to be well on his way to retaining his championship for the sixth time.
Edwards had other plans, landing a beautiful head kick knockout in the fifth round with only 56 seconds left with a moment that shocked the sports world in a big way.
LEON EDWARDS JUST KNOCKED OUT KAMARU USMAN TO WIN THE BELT IN THE FINAL ROUND #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/HhzkckfPXa
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) August 21, 2022
Many around the sports world were absolutely stunned to see the knockout from Edwards, who became just the second English UFC Champion in the history of the organization.
Just like that baby, what a game! Huge congrats @ParadigmSports and Leon Edwards! ANOTHER CHAMPION!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 21, 2022
LOOK AT ME NOW! HEAD SHOT. DEAD.
– LEON EDWARDS. CHAMP.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 21, 2022
LEON EDWARDS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/yXuOk5ApL6
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) August 21, 2022
Woooow Leon Edwards @ufc 278
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) August 21, 2022
I been trying to explain to my wife why I’m so lit at 1:15a the significance of Leon Edwards knocking out Kamaru Usman like that in #UFC278. She still doesn’t get it. This is the best I can do. Live look at Edwards at end of RD5: pic.twitter.com/gRZDpu2R0v
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 21, 2022
This loss is Usman’s first at the UFC level, coming up just short of Anderson Silva’s record of 16 consecutive wins in the UFC.
Given the significance of the fight as a championship main event along with the flashiness of the kick, this is far and away the best comeback in the history of the sport.
Edwards came into the fight as a +300 underdog against Usman, so he certainly shocked the world by not only winning but doing so in a dramatic fashion.
As for Usman, it is a crushing loss and it will definitely be interesting to see where he goes from here.
Leon Edwards’ fighter nickname is “Rocky”, and that definitely seemed fitting on Saturday night as he was able to persevere against Usman to capture victory from the jaws of defeat.