By Victor Kanayo
Kamaru Usman’s push to reclaim his UFC welterweight title failed, after his rival Leon Edwards defeated the Nigerian fighter to emerge champion again at The O2 Arena in London early Sunday morning.
Edwards, an English fighter, got 21-3-0 to beat Usman with 20-3-0 in a close cagey encounter.
With the latest triumph, Edwards has extended his unbeaten run in the UFC to 12 fights, and he has become the second British UFC champion and first since Michael Bisping in 2016.
He was last defeated in August 2015 by Usman.
The latest tight is the third installment between Edwards and Usman, with the score tied at one heading into the trilogy bout.
At 31, Edwards, didn’t land as many head strikes or body blows as Usman, but controlled the fight with explosive kicks.
For Usman, who is 35, he will further weigh his future options.
Edwards has now opened the door to a fight with former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington, who was sat at cage-side.
