We have just witnessed the culmination of a great war between two modern day gladiators. Both fighters have shown great courage, fighting spirit, tenacity, a never give up attitude and both are worthy of our respects. They both are great representative of Mixed Martial Art. UFC is lucky to have them both. They had three great battles and it’s a shame that one of them had to lose the war. Kamaru Usman vs Leon Edwards trilogy gave us viewers great memories and all of us have been privileged in having witnessed it. This trilogy will go down in history and will be remembered for a long time in showcasing the beauty of our beloved sport.
Leon Edwards had a tragic childhood and at a young age lost his father in a shootout. He got in trouble in his youth getting involved in different gangs and fought. His life changed when his mother enrolled in him a mixed martial artist school where he was taught to control his anger and use it in a positive and controlled way. He quickly won and became champion in British MMA. Soon he tried for UFC.
Kamaru Usman served as a coach for “The ultimate fighter” in 2011 but he was a freestyle wrestler who was trying to join USA wrestling team for 2012 Olympics. He failed to qualify for the Olympics, and he was convinced to give mixed martial arts a try. He was a natural at it winning fights in different leagues before finally getting noticed by UFC.
Let’s discuss the trilogy one match at a time and dissect all three matches and their backgrounds.
Two novices fight each other (1st fight):
First Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards was set for three rounds. Both participants enter this match with little experience in UFC. Kamaru Usman an American-Nigerian professional Mixed Martial Artist entered into UFC with a 5-1 record Artist. He joined TUF 21 and succeeded in getting a UFC contract. He entered his match with Leon Edwards with 6-1 record. Similarly, Leon Edwards the British mixed martial artist entered UFC WITH A RECORD OF 8-1. He fought in 3 matches in UFC before Kamaru Usman fight. Earning a “performance of the night” award. He entered his match with Kamaru Usman with a record of 10-2. Most experts said that Kamaru Usman is the favourite. Kamaru Usman proved them right. In the first round he utilised his wrestling skills to keep Leon Edwards down on the mat. In second round he landed repeated jabs on Leon Edwards and finally in the 3rd round he used his superior wrestling skills to keep Leon Edwards down and used his striking skills to control the match. But Leon Edwards showed his great Chin and kept himself in the match and took it to a decision lasting the full 15 minutes of three rounds. Although Leon Edwards proved his toughness but the match was scored (29-28, 30-27, 29-28) in a unanimous decision in favour of Kamaru Usman. Kamaru Usman proved himself a great fighter.
A dominant champion faces a challenger (2nd fight):
Both fighters went their separate ways and for almost six- and half-year their paths didn’t cross. In this time both went on a winning streak. Leon Edwards won 9 matches straight with one No-contest because of an accidental eye-poke by him on his opponent. Kamaru Usman went on an even more impressive streak he won his next 13 matches if we include his matches from before Leon Edwards fight his streak of winning matches goes to 19. In this impressive streak of his he won the UFC welterweight championship and successfully defended his title 5 consecutive matches. Kamaru Usman became one of the most dominant fighter in the history of UFC. Leon Edwards through his impressive streak earn the chance to compete for the title. So Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2 was set. It was to be for 5 rounds. This time Kamaru Usman being even more of favourite to win the match. But Leon Edwards had improved greatly. He successfully took Kamaru Usman to the mat an act which had not been done by any fighter in UFC. He showed the world that he has greatly improved his wrestling skills and that Kamaru Usman can be beaten. He almost made Kamaru Usman tapped out in the first round. But Kamaru Usman broke out of the submission hold. In the next three rounds Kamaru Usman took control and it looked like that there will be repeat of the first match result and Kamaru Usman will get the judges decision victory. But Leon Edwards landed a perfectly placed kick on Kamaru Usman and knocked him out. Winning the title in a shock result and ended his Kamaru Usman’s two- and half-year title reign and ending his 7-year undefeated streak. Leon Edwards became an unlikely champion through sheer determination, hard work and shocked himself, Kamaru Usman and the whole wide world.
Fight to settle it all (3rd match):
A rematch was set as Kamaru Usman through his impressive winning steak when he was a champion had earned the right to get the first shot at the new champion. This time Leon Edwards wanted to prove himself that it was not just a lucky kick which won him the previous match. Kamaru Usman wanted to prove his loss a fluke and get back to his winning ways. Leon Edwards had a great gameplan this time he used his kicking ability to good use and repeatedly landed kick on Kamaru Usman. He repeatedly targets Kamaru Usman’s knees. He even downed Kamaru Usman with his blows. He earned more points and even though he was deducted a point for holding the cage he won the match with unanimous decision and ended his rivalry with Kamaru Usman and had his first successful title defence. Leon Edwards is 31-year-old now. So, he can have a nice 2-to-3-year reign as champion. As for Kamaru Usman he is 35-year-old now. It is difficult to see him becoming a champion again.
In the end both fighters can be proud of their fights.
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