Leon Edwards defeats Kamaru Usman again to retain UFC crown

Leon Edwards had a resounding response to criticism for his victory over Hail Mary last time out, beating arch-nemesis Kamaru Usman by majority decision to retain his welterweight championship on Saturday at UFC 286 in London.

Two judges scored it 48-46 for Edwards, while the third judge made it 47-47.

It was a competitive fight in which both fighters had their moments at every turn. Edwards prevailed in the first with hard kicks to the body and legs, but Usman got going in the second round, taking Edwards to the mat and landing a few hard ground kicks.

Usman hit the first in the third round, working a single leg before scoring a first-minute takedown. Edwards managed to get up and head for the cage, but referee Herb Dean penalized Edwards one point for grabbing the fence as Usman grabbed his back. Edwards picked up the pace after the point deduction, hurting Usman with several leg and body kicks in the final two minutes of the round.

Edwards continued to work the leg kicks as the fourth round opened, causing the inside of Usman’s leg to swell. Usman scored a late inning takedown, but Edwards limited the damage by quickly getting back to his feet.

With the fight looking to be won in the final round, Edwards eventually went to the head with his kicks and landed another big punch with his right hand. Usman strove to get Edwards to the canvas and got it with 90 seconds to go. But Edwards, as he did throughout the fight, limited the damage by making a quick escape and getting back to his feet. Usman fired again in the final seconds of the fight, but Edwards rattled him off again when the final buzzer sounded.

Saturday marked the third fight between Usman and Edwards, who was less than a minute away from certain defeat when they last met when he landed a shocking headbutt to finish Usman at UFC 278.

Edwards (21-3, 1 NC) is undefeated in 12 straight fights. He hasn’t lost since Usman defeated him by unanimous decision in their first fight in 2015.

Usman (20-4, 1 NC) had won 15 straight UFC fights before dropping his last two to Edwards.