Leon Edwards FaceTimes his mum in tears after stunning KO on Kamaru Usman

Leon Edwards was overcome with emotion as he FaceTimed his mum following his sensational knockout of Kamaru Usman to win the welterweight title at UFC 278.

The 30-year-old Brit was behind on points in the fifth round with Usman having controlled the fight for large spells, while UFC’s commentary team had written off Edwards’ chances with a minute left on the clock – even suggesting losing by decision would be a ‘moral victory’.

But then the Jamaican-born Brummie produced a moment of sheer brilliance that left the crowd in Salt Lake City virtually silent.

A perfectly timed left high-kick caught Usman flush on the side of the head, knocking him out instantly, to spark wild scenes of celebration from Edwards and his camp.

Usman had been on a 15-fight unbeaten streak and was ranked as UFC’s pound-for-pound number one fighter, and Edwards’ remarkable KO will go down as one of the greatest finishes in the sport’s history.

Edwards was visibly emotional in the octagon after the fight and immediately paid tribute to his mother.

‘I was born in Jamaica with nothing. I lived in a wooden shed with a zinc roof. Look at me now,’ he told Joe Rogan with tears in his eyes.

‘Pound for pound, head shot, dead. That’s it. I said it’s possible, we can win a belt from the UK, I told you.’

He continued: ‘I want to first of all thank god. Mum, I love you, I told you I’d do it for you, I told you I’d change your life.

‘All week I felt like this is my moment, everything in the past, the two years, the pandemic, look at me now, I’m champion of the world.

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