Kamaru Usman Praises Leon Edwards for Knockout Victory: ‘What a Hail Mary’

Despite losing his welterweight crown in the final minute of the UFC 278 main event, Kamaru Usman seems to be in good spirits.

“The Nigerian Nightmare” was on his way to convincing unanimous decision win over Leon Edwards this past Saturday when his British opponent knocked him out with a head kick at the 4:04 mark of Round 5 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. Usman has nothing but praise for Edwards as he looks back on what transpired.

“It was a great shot, I’m talking Hail Mary in the Super Bowl — last 10 seconds,” Usman told TMZ Sports. “That was a great shot, man.”

While some athletes might refuse to watch what could be viewed as a traumatic moment, Usman has already reviewed the tape of his loss to Edwards multiple times. He is able to take some solace in the fact that he was imposing his will on Edwards prior to the shocking finish.

“I’ve watched the fight three or four times … It’s not hard at all [to watch it],” he said. “Do you know how many people I’ve done that to? It happened, and that’s the beautiful thing about this sport — that happens, but we forget what was actually taking place in that fight. I’m not down at all. It’s almost like everyone is more sad about it than I am. Everyone else is more emotional than I am. To me, that lets me know that people care, that people are invested.”

Usman acknowledges that he may have reached an even greater level of fame with the knockout loss than he did with his 15-fight winning streak in the Octagon leading up to UFC 278. He says that his first loss since May 24, 2013 only serves to add motivation for his return.

“I’m so gracious with just the time, and it sucks that the attention is from a defeat,” Usman said. “I’m so gracious to be at this point in point in time that people care that much. I thought I was famous before, but f—k, with the meme action going on, oh, I’m famous now.

“It just creates hunger for the return, and I’m just excited for what’s next. I have a rare opportunity now to just inspire and motivate and show people that you can fall and get back up. I’m excited about it.”

Usman previously defeated Edwards in December 2015, and a trilogy appears to be all but inevitable — especially given the ex-champion’s resume as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound talents. UFC president Dana White is already pondering England, Edward’s home country, for the trilogy. That’s a possibility that excites Usman.

“What else makes sense? I mean, look at the division. It’s absolutely what’s going to happen next,” Usman said. “I talked to Dana and we’re going to see, let him do his job, and we’ll see what date makes sense. It’s going to be the top of next year.

“I was going to try to squeeze [another] one in this year, but it’ll probably be the top of next year, and I want to go to England. I’ve been fiending to go to England. I feel like it’s my second home [because] England is like half Africa. People don’t know that, but it’s time to go over there and entertain the English people. And what better story? You couldn’t write this any better. I am excited to see what’s next and we will definitely figure something out.”

Usman has no ill will toward Edwards, even after the loss. In fact, he says he sees some similarities between himself and the newly-minted welterweight king.

“I like Leon, and I’m very happy for Leon,” Usman said. “In a sense, he took on the same path, the same journey that I took, he kind of reminds me of me. But this is great for his story, and it’s even greater for my story so we’ll run it back. He’s wanted to fight in London for a while, and now he’s got it. Now you got it, and it’s a big one. It’s a mega-fight. I’m already excited about it. … Congratulations to Leon. It was a beautiful technique, what a Hail Mary. That’s why I love this sport: anything can happen at any time, and it definitely did. Hat’s off to him and we’ll see each other soon.”