Kamaru Usman Reflects on Loss to Leon Edwards

By: Gyang Dakwo

Former UFC champion Kamaru Usman has broken down the reasons behind his decision not to coast in the final minutes of the fifth round in his fight against Leon Edwards at UFC 278.

The 35-year-old was on course to win but never looked at the clock. Instead, he was simply full of praise for the technique of the head kick with which 31-year-old Edwards ended the fight.

“No, that’s not who I am,” Usman said. “When I fight, there’s a reason I’m pedaling to the medal and I don’t look at the clock. That’s the way that I fight. I wanted to finish. It was just a beautiful technique, beautifully timed. He threw head kicks throughout the fight, but I blocked them all. That one was just money. I’m almost in awe of how good it was, but it happens. Champions fall and then they get back and show you why they’re champions.”

Usman, who hadn’t recorded a single loss since May 2013, went on to make clear that he does not pay attention to critics and that he will be back.

“I am a mixed martial artist and I am the best mixed martial artist in the world,” Usman added.
“So, that’s what I need to do. I need to prove that. I think of nothing else right now except that.
When you sit on top of that throne, then you can branch out and do other things. Right now, I don’t sit on top of that throne right now. I’m not paying attention to all this side noise and side talk or anything like that. Let’s focus on what we need to focus on first which is getting that back and then we’ll decide.”