New UFC champion Lewis Edwards says his victory over Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman proved his critics wrong about his abilities.
Kamaru appeared to be seconds away from a 16th consecutive victory, which would have tied an all-time UFC record, before Edwards came up with the stunning finish just in time.
He delivered the knockout blow with 56 seconds left in the bout.
It was sweet revenge for Edwards’ 2015 defeat to Usman.
“I can’t put it into words. It’s been a long four years. They all doubted me, they all said I couldn’t do it. Look at me now! I’m from the trenches, I’m built like this. I go until the battle is done,” he said.
“I do it for everyone coming behind me. I told you it was possible. We can win a belt, from the UK. Look at me now. I told you I could do it. God is on my side. I said it all week, I felt like this is my moment. Everything that happened in the past – two years out, the pandemic, all of it. They all said I couldn’t come back and do it.
“There is no ring rust. Now look at me, the champion of the world. I was born in Jamaica with nothing, look at me now.”
Kamaru must now pick himself up and fight to regain his title.
UFC’s first pay-per-view event in Utah drew 18,321 fans and $4.2 million in live gate revenue, a Vivint Arena record.
It marked the 23rd consecutive sellout for the UFC.(VON)
