LONDON — Leon Edwards was the primary to confess he gave a horrible efficiency in his welterweight title struggle in opposition to Kamaru Usman eight months in the past. He turned in a a lot better one in opposition to Usman at UFC 286.
Edwards (21-3) recorded his first protection of the UFC’s 170-pound championship on Saturday in entrance of a house crowd at O2 Enviornment in London, pulling out a majority choice on the scorecards. Two judges scored the five-round title bout 48-46 in favor of Edwards whereas a 3rd scored it a 47-47 draw.
It was a a lot completely different struggle and completely different Edwards from eight months in the past. Edwards was clearly dropping to Usman at UFC 278 when he landed a shocking head kick that knocked the then-champion and No. 1 pound-for-pound candidate out chilly.
On Saturday, Edwards was composed, energetic and led the dance for essentially the most half.
“I knew I might go on the market and take his photographs,” Edwards mentioned. “Even when he was pressuring, not a lot occurred.”
Edwards (21-3, 1 NC) is unbeaten in 12 straight fights. He has not misplaced since Usman defeated him by way of unanimous choice of their first struggle in 2015.
Usman (20-4, 1 NC) had gained 15 consecutive fights within the UFC earlier than dropping his previous two to Edwards.