On This Day: Leon Edwards Knocks Out Kamaru Usman With an Unforgettable Head Kick – August 20, 2022

Two years ago today, Leon Edwards sent shockwaves through the world of mixed martial arts.

The man known as ‘Rocky’ made the trip to Utah in August 2022 with the aim of becoming UFC welterweight champion. For Kamaru Usman, meanwhile, it was supposed to be just another day at the office. Instead, what we got was one of the most dramatic endings to a UFC title fight of all time.

Leon Edwards looked really strong in the first round and even managed to take the champion Usman down. It was unprecedented to see him have that kind of success, and it gave many of his fans hope that he’d be able to really challenge ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ in every department.

Alas, in rounds two, three and four, Usman assumed control of the contest. It felt like Edwards was noticeably slowing down, and there was simply nothing that he could do about it.

Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed in the fifth and final round as history was made.

Leon Edwards triumphs over Kamaru Usman

Following one of the greatest corner speeches ever, Leon Edwards went out there like a man possessed in the last few minutes of the bout. He was mixing things up, landing strikes, and had Usman looking up at the clock to see just how much longer was left.

Then, with a minute remaining, he landed a picture-perfect head kick that knocked Kamaru Usman out cold. As the commentary team and the fans in attendance tried to process what had just happened, Leon Edwards walked away victorious as the new king of the welterweight division.

He would go on to defend the belt successfully twice, once against Usman in a rematch and then against Colby Covington, before losing it to Belal Muhammad. Usman, meanwhile, last fought and lost to Khamzat Chimaev, with many wondering whether or not he’ll ever get another title opportunity.