UFC 278 was a very emotional card for many bettors – especially Kamaru Usman bettors. Over the weekend, we had a new contender rise to take hold of the UFC Welterweight title that left many viewers and bettors speechless.
Let’s highlight that sequel between Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards in this week’s UFC Recap.
Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2
UFC Welterweight Main Event Bout
Usman vs. Edwards Odds Recap
On this intense fight night as the defending champ, Kamaru Usman was priced between -360 and -405 at your top-rated sportsbooks. Leon Edwards, on the other hand, was the very valuable underdog at +295.
The UFC odds for this matchup seemed to be reasonable, and since Usman was so juiced, I included in my UFC best bets the MMA prop for Usman to become victorious at the scorecards. Man was I wrong and left speechless! I’m sure a good portion of you could relate with me on this one.
Let’s highlight this main event sequel and the moment Leon Edwards took everyone’s breath away.
Usman vs. Edwards Fight Recap
Round 1
The fight commenced and Edwards began with consistent, yet steady, kicks. Landed to the body, landed to the leg. Usman was taking his time and reading his opponent, using his feints well. Usman finally threw a solid combo and shot for a takedown, but Edwards defended.
Edwards slipped and Usman is now on top! Edwards was defending and spun out back to his feet with Usman holding a body lock from behind. The defending champ was landing knees to Edwards’s butt as he was trying to peel away.
They are back on the ground with Edwards in full mount this time. Edwards with a heavy hit! Usman rolled to try to escape, but Edwards now has his back and has a body triangle! What!
Edwards was now hunting for a choke but Usman is doing well at defending himself. Leon really pushed hard to find an opening but had to result in some punches until the end of the round. I give this first round to Edwards.
Round 2
Edwards started the round again with a front body kick, and Usman returned with a heavy right hand. A leg kick from Edwards, and now a jab from Usman.
Usman clinched up, but Edwards separated and is now against the cage. The defending champ with some leg kicks, but Edwards poked Usman in the eye with his thumb and the fight was paused. Not a huge pause but Usman was ready to go. You could tell he was hungry for some action because now he was really pressing Edwards back.
Edwards landed a knee to the body and an overhand left; Usman replied with a body kick. Usman with a solid combination into a clinch. Again, Edwards spun out and shot for a takedown himself. Usman stuffs the takedown.
They trade heavy elbows; Usman with three solid punches and a takedown to close the round. Usman took this round.
Round 3
A blocked body kick from Edwards followed by an inside leg kick that connected. Usman countered with a jab, faked a takedown, and then followed through with a secured takedown. Edwards was back up on his feet with Usman on his back once again landing knees onto Edwards’ butt.
Edwards was doing his best to defend; he got Usman off of him and threw a knee up the middle. Usman replied with two left punches and a hefty elbow. Another takedown by Usman and he is trying to take back control; one hook was secured and was throwing short punches from behind.
Edwards was not in a good position here. His back now against the cage as he is on the ground with Usman on top searching for a guillotine choke. He couldn’t find it so he landed a sharp 1-2 combo to end the round.
Round 4
Edwards with an inside leg kick to begin the fourth round. Usman jabbed and ducked under a swinging left hook. Edwards with another kick to the body; he stepped through and grabbed a body lock on Usman to bring him down, but Usman was quick to defend.
Usman brought the fight down now and is really letting go of his striking. He landed a heavy punch to the body. Meanwhile, Edwards was doing his best to defend and escape.
Edwards was getting back to his feet with Usman still holding on to a body lock. Edwards was grabbing the cage, so ref Herb Dean made them reset in ground position. On the restart, they quickly got back to their feet and Usman landed several shots before the end of the round.
Every Second Counts
Round 5
The final found – Usman began with a jab to the body and Edwards responded with a knee. They traded jabs and Usman was landing shots while backing up Edwards.
They ended up on the ground, but the ref stood them up quickly. Edwards then landed a low blow. Usman only took a few seconds to come back to his senses, and then upon reset, Usman landed two heavy body kicks.
They’re face to face, reading each other, and BAM!! Edwards with one clean head kick! Usman is out COLD!
Leon Edwards is now the new UFC Welterweight Champion! Leon Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman via KO (head kick), R5 04:04
UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 Full Card Results
Main Card
- (Main Event) Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards – Edwards via T/KO R5, 04:04
- (Co-Main Event) Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold – Costa via Decision
- José Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili – Dvalishvili via Decision
- Yanan Wu vs. Lucie Pudilová – Pudilová via T/KO R2, 04:04
- Tyson Pedro vs. Harry Hunsucker – Pedro via T/KO R1, 01:05
Preliminary Card
- Marcin Tybura vs. Alexander Romanov – Tybura via Decision
- Leonardo Santos vs. Jared Gordon – Gordon via Decision
- Sean Woodson vs. Luis Saldana – Draw
- AJ Fletcher vs. Ange Loosa – Loosa via Decision
Early Preliminary Card
- Amir Albazi vs. Francisco Figueiredo – Albazi via Submission R1, 04:34
- Qileng Aori vs. Jary Perrin – Aori via Decision
- Daniel da Silva vs. Victor Altamirano – Altamirano via T/KO R1, 03:39
What Is Next on the UFC Schedule?
Next up on the UFC schedule, we will have a week hiatus before UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa on Saturday, September 3, 2022. This time around we will be at the Accor Arena in Paris, France in what should be a jam-packed card filled with madness.
If you need a fight to eye on the preliminary card, Nassourdine Imavov will be facing up against Joaquin Buckley and this should be an electric one. Currently, Imavov is a -260 favorite at your top-rated sportsbooks, and early bettors are predicting an early finish in this one.
Both the co-main and main events will be spectacular; Robert Whittaker will share the octagon with Marvin Vettori in the co-main, and Ciryl Gane will get another chance to redeem himself after his loss against Francis Ngannou back at UFC 270.
Stay up to date with all of our expert handicappers’ weekly UFC picks content to help you make your best bets. Good luck!
UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa Main Card Odds
- Ciryl Gane vs. Tai Tuivasa (Main Event)
- Robert Whittaker vs. Marvin Vettori (Co-Main Event)
- Alessio Di Chirico vs. Roman Kopylov
- John Makdessi vs. Nasrat Haqparast
- Taylor Lapilus vs. Khalid Taha
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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