Leon Edwards’ trilogy fight against Kamaru Usman this weekend is a hugely anticipated affair.
Their previous meeting was at UFC 278 in August, a clash that was preceded by one of the most sensational moments in Rocky’s career.
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Edwards was on top against Diaz in the early rounds
Travel back to June 2021 and Edwards is up against veteran fighter Nate Diaz in Glendale, Arizona.
The pair would go five rounds in the octagon, with the then 36-year-old Diaz appearing in the penultimate fight of his UFC contract.
Despite the American crowd clearly showing their vocal support for his opponent, Edwards did well to ignore the noise and was impressive from the off.
His left hand and low leg kicks were proving to be a lot in the early round for Diaz, whose face was left in a bloody mess by the end of the third.
Edwards was on his way to victory, but an incredible final minute of the fight almost saw the result swing the other way.
Diaz decided to give his opponent a taste of his own medicine, connecting with his right hand before launching a hefty left.
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Diaz hit back though, and set up an exciting final minute at UFC 263
Edwards, who pulled off a superb combo just moments prior, was knocked back by the hits and clearly stunned.
He began to sway in the midst of such a heavy blow and was seeing stars as he prepared for the final onslaught.
Diaz hit him with a left-right combo and although he dodged a swinging shot, Edwards had to stumble away from danger.
WHAT A FINISH TO THE FIGHT! 🤯TAKE A BOW LEON AND NATE! 👏#UFC263 pic.twitter.com/u1RDsylIEK— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) June 13, 2021
He could see he was there for the taking, and the American began to chase the Brit around the octagon as the crowd rose to their feet.
Edwards was very much backs against the wall as they approached the final 30 seconds, withstanding Diaz’s efforts to snatch victory.
One huge hit from Diaz and he may have won the fight, but it was too little, too late as Edwards dodged and grabbed at any given chance.
He emerged victorious, with the judges deciding the fight as 49-46 in his favour.
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Edwards’ sheer strength and determination paid off as he eventually came out on top
Such a win put him on the path to a rematch with Usman, having previously fought him and lost by unanimous decision in 2015.
This time round, though, he was much more successful, causing a massive upset in the UFC as he knocked the welterweight champion off his throne.
With just a minute remaining in the fifth and final round Edwards, who was approaching defeat, delivered a brutal head kick with his left foot.
‘Rocky’ took advantage of a lack of concentration from ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’, who was less than a minute away from winning and defending his title.
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‘Rocky’ produced a superb head kick to shock everyone and dethrone Usman
Usman was knocked out, though, and Edwards became only the second Brit to win a UFC title after Michael Bisping.
The duo are therefore heading into this weekend’s fight at UFC 286 with one win a piece, and Edwards’ is one of the most spectacular in the sport.
Both have not fought since their most recent meeting against each other, and Usman will surely be out for revenge after such shock defeat last August.
Edwards will defend his UFC welterweight title at UFC 286 in front of a sell-out crowd on home soil in London on Saturday.
It is set to be a close affair, with Edwards already proving he can take the fight right to the very end and deliver knockout blows against some of the best in the business.
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