Kamaru Usman rushed to hospital after Leon Edwards brutally KOs him with ‘greatest head-kick ever’ at UFC 278
KAMARU USMAN was rushed to hospital after suffering a brutal knockout defeat to Leon Edwards at UFC 278.
The Nigerian Nightmare was seconds away from winning his sixth welterweight title defence before Edwards sent him crashing to the canvas with a stunning head-kick.
Joe Rogan called it "the greatest head-kick KO in history".
In worrying scenes, Usman, 35, was left prone, lying flat on his back with his eyes wide open.
UFC chief Dana White confirmed Usman - ranked No1 pound-for-pound fighter going into the bout - had been taken to hospital for precautionary reasons.
He said: "I thought Usman fought the perfect fight.
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"I was listening to the commentary and Rogan and Anik and DC were dead on with everything they were saying Edwards should have been doing and needed to do, and as soon as they said it he landed the head kick.
"You think of everything that was on the line for Usman tonight, and Usman fought with total confidence, he fought the perfect fight.
"It might not be the most fan-friendly style but he was landing big shots to the body, big shots to the head, he couldn't have fought a more perfect fight until the last minute.
"It's what makes this sport the best sport in the world, that you can sit through four rounds and four minutes and that can happen, anything is possible in this sport.
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"There are no lop-sided or ones-sided fights, anything his possible. I said people wouldn't give Leon enough credit, he was a dangerous opponent."
The win for Edwards, 30, marks a fairy tale rise from ex-council estate tearaway to UFC world champion.
He becomes the first British champion since Michael Bisping in 2016 and only the second ever.
He said: "You all doubted me, saying I couldn't do it - look at me now," said Edwards.
"I'm from the trenches. I'm built like this. I've been doubted my whole life but look at me now."