Leon Edwards retains welterweight title at UFC 286
Leon Edwards successfully defended the UFC welterweight championship with a majority decision win over Kamaru Usman to close out UFC 286 on Saturday.
The judges scored the fight 48-46, 48-46, 47-47 for the first ever Jamaican-born champion.
It was his first successful title defense since winning the title in shocking fashion at UFC 278 last summer.
Edwards, who had support from the London crowd in the O2 Arena, landed powerful leg kicks, body shots and defended Usmans’ takedowns which contributed to his win in the five-round fight.
“[Kamaru Usman] didn't land the takedowns. I was landing more cleaner shots, took out his legs but fair play to Kamaru. It was my hardest fight to this day," Edwards said.
During the post-fight interview, the 31-year-old (21-3-1 NC) dismissed a fight with No. 2 ranked welterweight Colby Covington, who was in attendance
“That man [Colby Covington] sat out for a year and a half, two years. He hasn’t fought nobody."
Usman, who’s now lost two-straight fights, praised Edwards after the fight.
“London, you got yourself a hell of a guy, and a great champion," Usman said.
Edwards, who fought in front of his home country of England, is the first fighter to have two victories over Usman.
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