The former UFC welterweight king Kamaru Usman already has his sights set on a major return to glory.
In the main event of UFC 278, Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC) was knocked out cold by Leon Edwards with just under a minute remaining in the final round of their rematch with the welterweight title on the line.
Usman was winning the fight handily, up 39-37 on all three judges’ scorecards. However, Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) landed the shot he needed out of nowhere, putting Usman down without any follow-up shots needed.
The former champ did not talk with UFC commentator Joe Rogan inside the octagon for a post-fight interview, and was transported to the hospital for precautionary reasons after the knockout.
Shortly after the event, Usman issued a short message on social media after the fight.
“Champs f*ck up sometimes… but we bounce back and come with vengeance!!” Usman wrote on Twitter.
Champs f$ck up sometimes… but we bounce back and come with vengeance!! 👊🏿🌍🤴🏿 #NGHTMR
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) August 21, 2022
Usman later added a second message, congratulating Edwards on his crowning achievement.
“Damn I love this sport!!! Things happen but… Alhamdulillah we move!! Congratulations @Leon_edwardsmma,” Usman wrote.
Damn I love this sport!!! Things happen but… Alhamdulillah we move!! 👊🏿🌍🤴🏿 congratulations @Leon_edwardsmma
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) August 21, 2022
The loss marked the first for Usman since his second professional fight in 2013. “The Nigerian Nightmare” ripped through his next 19 opponents, racking up a dominant UFC welterweight title reign that included five title defenses.
ABSOLUTE CHAOS AFTER LEON KNOCKED OUT KAMARU 😱 #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/VCcANfreSW
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 21, 2022
After the fight, UFC president Dana White said a trilogy between Usman and Edwards is on the horizon. Usman won the first meeting in 2015 by unanimous decision. In the rematch 80 months in the makings, Edwards pulled off a miraculous knockout victory to claim the title.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 278.
