Leon Edwards pays "big respect" to Kamaru Usman after successful title defense at UFC 286

Leon Edwards shared his respect for Kamaru Usman after his successful title defense in their trilogy bout last night at UFC 286.

Edwards silenced the doubters as he defeated Usman for a second time to close out their rivalry with a majority decision win. He took to Twitter to compliment the former champion and mentioned that their rivalry will forever be historic for the promotion because of what transpired in their fights.

He wrote:

"Big respect @USMAN84kg what a trilogy. Over 8 years we fought 13 rounds, over an hour together in the octagon and our rivalry will go down in history. Just pure competition at the highest level. I wish you and your family well"

Leon 'Rocky' Edwards

@Leon_edwardsmma

Big respect @USMAN84kg what a trilogy. Over 8 years we fought 13 rounds, over an hour together in the octagon and our rivalry will go down in history. Just pure competition at the highest level. I wish you and your family well 🏾

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Big respect @USMAN84kg what a trilogy. Over 8 years we fought 13 rounds, over an hour together in the octagon and our rivalry will go down in history. Just pure competition at the highest level. I wish you and your family well 👊🏾

Usman won their first encounter in 2015 via unanimous decision, but the reigning UFC welterweight champion won the second fight via head-kick and the third fight via majority decision.

'The Nigerian Nightmare' tweeted his appreciation for his team and congratulated 'Rocky' on his success, writing:

"A special thank you to my management, family, friends, and fans. I appreciate each and everyone of you. Wasn’t my night but as always we go back to work. Congratulations @Leon_edwardsmma great work"

KAMARU USMAN

@USMAN84kg

A special thank you to my management, family, friends, and fans. I appreciate each and everyone of you. Wasn’t my night but as always we go back to work. Congratulations @Leon_edwardsmma great work 🤜🏿🤛🏿🏿

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A special thank you to my management, family, friends, and fans. I appreciate each and everyone of you. Wasn’t my night but as always we go back to work. Congratulations @Leon_edwardsmma great work 🤜🏿🤛🏿👏🏿

Their trilogy will be remembered for 'Rocky's famous head-kick knockout to win the title and the post-fight interview that followed where he said, 'Headshot, dead.'

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Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington to be book next

MMA Junkie

@MMAJunkie

"I don't know how that makes sense": Leon Edwards pushes back on UFC's plan to have him fight Colby Covington next.

"I'm the king now. ... I feel like I should decide who’s next."

#UFC286 | Full video: bit.ly/3LuYGUl

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"I don't know how that makes sense": Leon Edwards pushes back on UFC's plan to have him fight Colby Covington next.

"I'm the king now. ... I feel like I should decide who’s next."

#UFC286 | Full video: bit.ly/3LuYGUl https://t.co/hjCfiQp10H

Leon Edwards didn't have to wait too long to find out who he would be fighting next as Colby Covington, who weighed-in as the replacement fighter, was sitting cageside and was confirmed as the next challenger.

While speaking to the media during his post-fight press conference, 'Rocky' was confused as to how Covington earned the next title shot, especially considering that there have been other welterweight contenders that have been more active.

He said:

"I don't know how that makes sense, you know. He hadn't fought for over a year-and-a-half. Sat out, not injured. I just don't get how he just slides in for the world title shot when there's other guys in the division that's been active, that's been fighting."

It remains to be seen how soon the promotion will book the welterweight title fight between 'Rocky' and 'Chaos.'

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