“I can’t put it into words,” Edwards said.
Usman had been dominating the fight after the first round. But Usman leaned down to his right to defend an Edwards left and Edwards caught him flush with a left head kick, sending the more than 17,000 in attendance into a frenzy. Usman, who was out on contact, was less than a minute away from a sixth title defense.
Welterweight championship: Leon Edwards (20-3 1 NC, 12-2 1 NC UFC) def. Kamaru Usman (c) (20-2, 15-1 UFC) by fifth-round KO
Round-by-Round coverage:
Round 1: Edwards lands a few leg kicks, then defends a takedown attempt. He then slips on an attack, and Usman gets him to the canvas. But Edwards gets up, and with two minutes to go, he scores a trip takedown into full mount. Edwards ends up taking the back and threatening a choke until the horn. 10-9, Edwards.
Round 2: Edwards gets his foot caught against the cage, and the brief distraction allows Usman to swarm with punches. Even after Edwards gets away, Usman keeps up the pressure, leading to two takedowns. Edwards is starting to look just a bit worn down. 10-9, Usman. (19-19)
Round 3: Usman resumes his stalking. A minute in, he gets a takedown. Edwards gets right back up, but Usman is all over him. Edwards lands a couple of shots, but Usman again closes in, gets another takedown and takes back control. Then he is on top, in full mount. Edwards looks drained, and Usman is rolling. 10-9, Usman. (29-28 Usman.)
Round 4: Edwards stands his ground, lands a few strikes and is close to a takedown. But Usman defends well, turns the tables and midway through the round gets a takedown of his own. Usman is in full control, all over Edwards. There’s a pause as referee Herb Dean sees Edwards grab the cage to get up from a takedown. Dean puts them back on the canvas, and even after Edwards gets back up, he is sagging. 10-9, Usman. (39-37 Usman.)
Round 5: Usman keeps stalking, and Edwards is not threatening. The challenger needs to do something big, and he has nothing for Usman, who is cruising. Edwards lands a couple of shots, but one is low. Then, just as it looked like Edwards was out of it, his left high kick knocks out Usman.
