Kamaru Usman News
Khamzat Chimaev believes Kamaru Usman "wasn’t being focused" ahead of Leon Edwards fight, thinks he won't "be the same guy again"
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev thinks Kamaru Usman didn’t put enough focus on Leon Edwards and how dangerous he is. Usman was looking to defend his welterweight title in the main event of UFC 278 against Edwards. It served as a rematch after Usman beat Edwards by decision years ago before either of them were top contenders. In the rematch, it looked like the champ would once again win a decision but with less than a minute left Edwards scored a KO win that stunned many and for Chimaev, he believes that loss will change Usman.
Kamaru Usman laughs off Jorge Masvidal’s request of a title shot next: "That doesn't really make any sense"
Josh Evanoff - September 5, 2022
Former UFC welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman doesn’t think highly of Jorge Masvidal fighting for gold. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is fresh off his loss to Leon Edwards last month. In Salt Lake City, Usman was looking to make it 2-0 in his series with ‘Rocky’. The two first faced off in December 2015, and the future champion secured a unanimous decision victory.
Kamaru Usman responds to post-fight jabs from Conor McGregor: “I didn't kick him when he was down”
Susan Cox - September 5, 2022
Kamaru Usman is responding to the post-fight jabs he received from Conor McGregor following UFC 278. It was just a couple of weeks ago that Kamaru Usman (20-2 MMA) was defeated by Leon Edwards (20-3 MMA) via KO at 4:04 of the 5th round at UFC 278. The welterweight crown went to Edwards.
Kamaru Usman says he admires Colby Covington as a competitor and an athlete: “I’m almost kinda low-key a fan”
Harry Kettle - September 5, 2022
Kamaru Usman has admitted that he admires Colby Covington despite the rivalry they’ve shared together. While he may no longer be the UFC welterweight champion after being knocked out by Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman is still regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in mixed martial arts. He’s been on an incredible journey over the years and that looks set to continue, with many of his best moments being shared with fellow elite welterweights such as Jorge Masvidal, Gilbert Burns and, of course, Colby Covington.
Kamaru Usman says he was attempting to finish Leon Edwards moments before head kick KO: “I didn’t land it, [who knows] how much damage it could’ve done”
Harry Kettle - August 30, 2022
Kamaru Usman has admitted that he was attempting to finish Leon Edwards in the fifth round of their title fight. Heading into the final round of the UFC 278 main event, Kamaru Usman seemed to be well on his way to successfully defending the UFC welterweight championship against Leon Edwards. He was 3-1 up on the judges’ scorecards, he was in full control, and Edwards appeared to be fading down the stretch.
Stephen Thompson praises Leon Edwards for "perfect technique" to KO Kamaru Usman, but believes 'The Nigerian Nightmare' wins the trilogy
Cole Shelton - August 25, 2022
Stephen Thompson believes Leon Edwards landed the perfect technique to KO Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. Edwards entered the fifth round clearly losing the fight and did not get off to the best start in the final frame. It appeared that Usman would be defending his belt by decision but Edwards landed a clean head kick that KO’d Usman in the final minute which Thompson says was a great technique.
‘Anatomy of a Fighter’ video from UFC 278 shows backstage footage of Kamaru Usman immediately following his KO loss to Leon Edwards
Josh Evanoff - August 25, 2022
Footage of Kamaru Usman’s reaction following UFC 278 has been released. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ faced Leon Edwards as the headliner in Salt Lake City last Saturday night. The bout was a rematch of their previous encounter at UFC on Fox in December 2015. In that outing, Usman scored a unanimous decision victory.
Daniel Cormier hits back at idea that Leon Edwards win over Kamaru Usman was a fluke: "It's not the first time he has knocked somebody out with this kick"
Josh Evanoff - August 24, 2022
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier doesn’t believe Leon Edwards’s knockout against Kamaru Usman was a fluke. In the main event of UFC 278 last Saturday night in Salt Lake City, ‘Rocky’ faced ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’. The matchup was a rematch of their previous outing in 2015 on UFC on Fox 17. In their first matchup, Usman scored a unanimous decision victory.
Kamaru Usman credits Leon Edwards for "great shot," calls for trilogy bout in England: "I feel like England is my second home"
Cole Shelton - August 23, 2022
Kamaru Usman wants to head to England to face Leon Edwards for the third time. Usman and Edwards recently had their rematch at UFC 278, as ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was looking to defend his belt for a sixth time. Usman was well on his way to winning the fight but with less than a minute left, Edwards landed a perfectly placed head kick that KO’d the champ, which Usman credits the Brit for.
Conor McGregor reacts to news that Kamaru Usman’s daughter was carried off the arena floor bawling her eyes out at UFC 278: “I feel this deep. I do not suggest bringing family whatsoever”
Harry Kettle - August 23, 2022
Conor McGregor has said he doesn’t think fighters should allow their families to watch them compete in the arena following Kamaru Usman’s KO loss. Last Saturday night at UFC 278, Kamaru Usman fell to a devastating knockout defeat at the hands of Leon Edwards in the fifth round of their intense main event. The violent nature of the head-kick defeat left the former champion out cold on the canvas, stunning many fans and pundits both in attendance and watching around the world.
Rashad Evans details what it was like sitting next to the Usman family at UFC 278: “You just hear this scream, it was just kind of very traumatic for me”
Harry Kettle - August 23, 2022
Rashad Evans has explained what it was like sitting next to Kamaru Usman’s family during his knockout loss at UFC 278. Last Saturday night, mixed martial arts fans saw something we never thought we would – Kamaru Usman getting knocked out cold. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was defeated by Leon Edwards in the final round of their main event battle, and as a result, he lost the UFC welterweight championship with the Brit overcoming the odds to write his name into the record books.
Kamaru Usman falls to #4 on the pound-for-pound rankings following KO loss at UFC 278
Harry Kettle - August 23, 2022
Kamaru Usman has fallen to #4 in the pound-for-pound rankings following his loss to Leon Edwards last weekend. At UFC 278 on Saturday night, Leon Edwards shocked the world when he knocked Kamaru Usman out to become the new UFC welterweight champion. Many fans and pundits believed he was down on the scorecards and was heading for a decision loss, only for ‘Rocky’ to pull a rabbit out of the hat by head-kicking ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ into the shadow realm.
Khabib Nurmagomedov unsure if Kamaru Usman will be the same after nasty KO loss at UFC 278: “After such a knockout, a lot of people don’t recover”
Susan Cox - August 22, 2022
Khabib Nurmagomedov is unsure if Kamaru Usman will be the same after the nasty KO loss at UFC 278. It was Kamaru Usman (20-2 MMA) vs Leon Edwards (20-3 MMA) this past Saturday night at UFC 278 in the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The welterweight main event had the title on the line. It was to be Edwards with a KO (kick to the head) in the 5th round that dethroned ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ and a new champion was made.
What's next for the stars of UFC 278?
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2022
The Octagon headed to Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday for a solid UFC 278 card, which saw the welterweight title on the line in the main event. In the main event, Kamaru Usman was looking to defend his belt and tie Anderson Silva’s record of starting out a UFC career 16-0 as he rematched Leon Edwards. In the co-main event, Paulo Costa took on Luke Rockhold while Merab Dvalishvili fought Jose Aldo on the main card.
Watch Israel Adesanya react to Leon Edwards knocking out Kamaru Usman at UFC 278: “I’m so happy for Leon and Tim, but then I’m so sad for Kamaru”
Susan Cox - August 22, 2022
Watch middleweight champion Israel Adesanya react to Leon Edwards knocking out Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. It was Usman (20-2 MMA) vs Edwards in the welterweight main event at UFC 278 which took place at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The welterweight champion Usman was de-throned by Edwards via way of a knockout head kick in round 5 (see that here).
Joe Rogan dubs Leon Edwards head kick KO of Kamaru Usman as the greatest in the history of the sport: “Nothing compares”
Harry Kettle - August 22, 2022
Joe Rogan has dubbed Leon Edwards’ knockout over Kamaru Usman one of the best head kick KOs in mixed martial arts history. It’s been said many times already but it deserves to be said again – on Saturday night in Utah, Leon Edwards pulled off one of the craziest comebacks in UFC history.
Kamaru Usman issues statement following knockout loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 278
Christopher Taylor - August 20, 2022
Kamaru Usman endured his first setback in over 9 years in the headliner of tonight’s UFC 278 event, suffering a brutal KO loss to Leon Edwards. Usman (20-2 MMA) and Edwards (20-3 MMA) collided for the promotions welterweight title this evening in Salt Lake City. The pair had previously met back in December of 2015, with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare‘ earning a unanimous decision victory.
Dana White reacts after Leon Edwards sleeps Kamaru Usman at UFC 278
Christopher Taylor - August 20, 2022
Dana White spoke to reporters following the conclusion of tonight’s UFC 278 event where he shared his reaction to Leon Edwards knocking out Kamaru Usman. Usman (20-2 MMA) and Edwards (20-3 MMA) collided for a second time this evening, this go around with the promotions welterweight title up for grabs. The pair had originally met way back in 2015, with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare‘ earning a unanimous decision victory.