Kamaru Usman says he had no intentions of coasting to a decision win against Leon Edwards at UFC 278.
Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC) was in control heading into Round 5 of his title fight against Edwards (19-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC), but was caught with a perfect head kick that knocked him out cold with less than a minute remaining.
The former champion used his ever-improving hands to knock out the likes of Colby Covington, Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal, but predominantly resorted to his wrestling against Edwards. Up three rounds to one and on his way to winning Round 5, Usman wasn’t about to play it safe, which ultimately cost him.
“No, that’s not who I am,” Usman told TMZ. “When I fight, I’m pedal to the metal and I don’t look at the clock. … I’m a go-er. I’m going. I’m non-stop. I’m going. I don’t look at the clock. So bing – I hear the bell. In my head, I still want to go, and the referee is like, ‘Hey, break, go to your corners,’ but I still want to go.
“So I never really look at the clock. I’m always pedal to the metal, and that’s the way that I fight and I wanted to finish. It was just a beautiful technique. I could’ve taken him down, but I really wanted to finish.”
Usman says he was aware of Edwards’ left high kick as a main weapon for the Brit, but just couldn’t see that final one coming.
“He threw head kicks throughout the fight. I blocked them all,” Usman said. “That one was just money. I’m almost in awe of how good it was. But it happens. Champions fall, then they get back and show you why they’re champions.”