There’s a new contender for the knockout of the year, and it could well be the winner this year. British athlete Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards knocked out the welterweight champion of the world, Kamaru Usman, at UFC 278. Now, the UK has another champion after Michael Bisping. Also, he becomes the first Jamaican-born UFC champion.
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A dream is realized in Salt Lake City. The underdog, the challenger fighting the pound-for-pound king, shocked the world as he landed a head kick to secure the welterweight championship.
The bout was chaotic. There were multiple fence grabs from both fighters in the bout. Referee Herb Dean even took a position from Leon Edwards for constantly grabbing the fence.
The Edwards’ corner was pumping their fighter. However, the British fighter didn’t respond well to his corner due to fatigue and pressure from the champion. It wasn’t until the fifth round that he showed the best display of the feint and landed a perfect head kick.
MMA fans and pros react to the welterweight title bout at UFC 278
Fans chimed in with their initial reaction to the bout. The first round saw the challenger taking down the Nigerian champion for the first time in UFC history. However, the story of the bout changed from the second round until a miracle in the fifth.
A life-changing kick that will go down in history as one of the greatest head kicks in a UFC title fight; A kick that snapped Kamaru Usman’s 15-fight win streak and put a hold on his G.O.A.T. status.
Leon Nurmagomedov 😂😂😂 #UFC278
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 21, 2022
Champ Stamp ! #ufc278
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 21, 2022
Fence & glove grabs everywhereeee #UFC278
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) August 21, 2022
WHY IS USMAN ALLOWED TO GRAB THE CAGE TWICE ON ONE TAKEDOWN ATTEMPT WITH NO PUNISHMENT
— Super Fan🇮🇪 (@McGregorRousey) August 21, 2022
Maybe not 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/AzQpIP4jV0
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) August 21, 2022
Wrestlers don’t sit down between rounds! #UFC278
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) August 21, 2022
Absolutely love that Herb Dean put them back in place on the ground after that fence grab. Referees should do that much more often. It’s only logical. #UFC278
— Luca Fury (@FurysFightPicks) August 21, 2022
"Listen stop feeling sorry for your f*cking self," Leon Edwards' cornerman. #UFC278
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) August 21, 2022
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The new champion will have a lot to look forward to in the division; A Jorge Masvidal bout, a Colby Covington bout, and a trilogy are a few options for his next bout.
Anyhow, the ‘Rocky’ story has a new chapter and all the welterweight should be ready to witness it.
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What do you make of this UFC 278 main event? Is this the greatest knockout of all time in a championship bout? Share your thoughts in the comments below.