Twitter screenshot of Leon Edwards from Vivint Area in Salt Lake Metropolis on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022. Twitter screenshot, UFC
The UFC welterweight combat between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman final weekend was an enormous occasion for the state of Utah, and because it turned out, it might go down in historical past as a historic one for UFC.
Edwards knocked Usman out on the finish of the fifth and ultimate spherical in a surprising comeback on Saturday at Vivint Area, and on Monday, ESPN posited that it might have been the best comeback knockout in UFC historical past.
“It’s uncommon for a challenger to complete a champion within the ultimate spherical whereas being down on the playing cards,” the piece learn.
Just a few situations have been identified, however “Edwards did it with a Hail Mary head kick” to separate it from others.
“On high of that, Edwards did it in opposition to the most effective fighter on the planet and one of many biggest of all time. ... Edwards put an finish to one of the spectacular trajectories within the historical past of MMA with one kick,” the piece learn, noting that a Usman victory would have tied him with Anderson Silva for the longest successful streak in UFC historical past at 16.
“Edwards and Usman will combat once more, for positive,” the piece concludes. “It’ll most likely be the subsequent combat for each, a large trilogy bout that shall be held in Edwards’ adopted residence nation of England. Edwards can have an opportunity to defend the title and additional his personal legacy then.
“However now? It doesn't matter what occurs from right here, this epic knockout — maybe the best comeback KO in UFC historical past — will reside ceaselessly.”