Leon Edwards, the undisputed UFC welterweight champion, hasn’t faced a defeat for over eight years now. Hailing from the UK, ‘Rocky’ is arguably the best 170-pounder in the world right now. However, his impeccable journey hasn’t been setback-free.
Edwards has suffered three times in his professional MMA career, twice of which happened in the UFC. Leon Edwards has also been a part of a no-contest against Belal Muhammad in March 2021. That said, he earned the welterweight gold by avenging one of his past defeats against Kamaru Usman.
Edwards head-kicked Usman to knock the UFC gold out of his status as ‘Rocky’ is now the world champion. Here’s a look back to those rare moments when Leon Edwards failed to secure a win.
Leon Edwards’ first loss Outside The UFC
‘Rocky’ had his first defeat under a bizarre condition of disqualification. The future UFC champion locked horns against Delroy McDowell at Fight UK 6 in February 2012. Edwards hit McDowell with an illegal knee which left his opponent in sheer pain. ‘Rocky’ appeared concerned for his opponent.
While Delroy McDowell had to take medical assistance, Edwards was ruled ineligible to win the fight. It was his first loss on the papers. Leon Edwards didn’t lose again until he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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Tough Loss on UFC Debut
Leon Edwards made his UFC debut in the undercard of Fight Night 56: Shogun vs Saint Preux in November 2014. He took on the ‘Hannibal’ Claudio Silva in a three-round contest. Although it was a close contest which Silva won via split decision. Edwards’ flaws were exposed in the fight.
On comparing both men’s performances, Silva had a better takedown percentage and had also landed more significant strikes than Edwards. The Britisher had his significant moments across the 15-minutes fight. However, it wasn’t enough to be rewarded with a victory. A young Edwards had to depart with a scratching defeat on his UFC debut while he would later on become the title holder in his division.
Usman vs Edwards 1
Following the loss on his UFC debut, Leon Edwards won his next two fights via TKO and decision respectively. He then lost his fourth UFC clash against Kamaru Usman, whom he would defeat later to become the welterweight champion. That said, the first fight between the two was lopsidedly in favor of ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’.
On the card of Dos Anjos vs Cerrone 2 in December, 2015, the first fight of the Usman vs Edwards trilogy happened. Kamaru Usman looked extremely comfortable as he dominated Edwards from start to the end. Although Edwards did his best to takeover Usman, it didn’t work. ‘Rocky’ lost the fight via unanimous decision only to never lose again up until now.
Leon Edwards has now beaten Kamaru Usman twice, including a title win and a title defense under his belt. It’s been a long time since Edwards has lost and it remains to be seen whether anyone can outclass him in MMA ever again.
