UFC Pack a Punch

    More stories from Micah Walters

    UFC bouts always draw a huge audience and pack a punch.

    Lee Brimelow, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

    UFC bouts always draw a huge audience and pack a punch.

    UFC 278 happened on August 20, 2022, at the Vivint Area in Salt Lake City. The highly anticipated main event of the night was between Jamaican-born fighter, Leon Edwards and Nigerian-born fighter, Kamara Usman.  Heading into the fight holding the Welterweight champion belt, Usman was a sizable favorite in betting odds (-380). The two had previously met in the octagon back in 2015 with Usman winning by unanimous decision. Ever since this rematch between the two highly regarded fighters was announced the majority of MMA fans believed Usman would take care of Edwards a second time. Through the first four rounds of the fight, it looked that way. Commentators had made comments on how Edwards looked exhausted and that he was near giving out. In the final minute of the fifth and last round, Edwards landed a perfectly placed head kick knocking Usman out instantly and sending him falling back first onto the mat. 

    The MMA world is still in shock after witnessing Edwards’s last-minute heroics which prompted him to be the new UFC Welterweight champion of the world. Many other fighters such as Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvidal, and most importantly Usman want their shot at Edwards and the belt. A trilogy fight between Leon Edwards and Kamara Usman would definitely be a huge PPV and an interesting fight to see. In a post-fight interview, UFC president Dana White said, “(Usman) Couldn’t have fought a more perfect fight until the last minute”. Following the big event, it leaves UFC fans wondering what is next for both fighters. 

    The MMA world is still in shock after witnessing Edwards’s last-minute heroics which prompted him to be the new UFC Welterweight champion of the world. Many other fighters such as Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvidal, and most importantly Usman want their shot at Edwards and the belt. A trilogy fight between Leon Edwards and Kamara Usman would be a huge PPV and an interesting fight to see. In a post-fight interview, UFC president Dana White said, “(Usman) Couldn’t have fought a more perfect fight until the last minute”. Following the big event, it leaves UFC fans