
Sports
Leon Edwards stuns Kamaru Usman with last-minute knockout at UFC 278 to claim world title
Photo: Leon Edwards knocked Kamaru Usman unconscious with this incredible head kick to shock the world
• ‘Rocky’ snatches victory from the jaws of defeat to become second British champion in history
- Leon Edwards was heading to a decision defeat when he pulled off a spectacular Leon Edwards delivered one of the most iconic moments in UFC history to flatline Kamaru Usman with a head kick and dethrone the formidable welterweight champion.

‘Rocky’ became the second British champion in the promotion’s history, following in Michael Bisping’s footsteps, and the finish was as picture perfect as it was dramatic.
With just one minute left on the clock and many already writing the obituary of his title shot, Edwards feinted forwards, drew Usman into a lean to his right where he was unceremoniously dispatched with a shin bone across the jaw.

Usman slumped to the canvas and ‘Rocky’ knew instantly that the fight was over in the very last minute

Edwards is the second British UFC champion and follows in the footsteps of Michael Bisping, who won his belt in 2016
Referee Herb Dean did not even have to haul Edwards off Usman. Everyone knew from the reaction and contact that it was a one-shot kill.
Usman came around and mouthed: ‘You’ve got to be kidding me’, when the realisation of his fate settled in. It brings an end to his astonishing reign as champion and is the first taste of defeat in the UFC.
This rematch was seven years in the making and back in 2015, Edwards fell short in a unanimous decision loss. Both men have come a long way since then, with Edwards winning 10 on the trot to finally earn his chance.
In the opening round, it looked as though he’d seize it with both hands. He managed to take Usman down and it was the first time the champion had ever been put on his back.
There was the faint threat of a submission but time expired and Usman came roaring back into the contest in the second.

Usman was unconsciously before coming around and managing to leave centre stage on his own

Edwards was overcome by emotion at the incredible achievement and broke down inside the octagon

Usman spent much of the contest controlling Edwards but the crowd were buoyed when the British fighter came back
His relentless forward pressure meant Edwards had to fight with his back against the cage and was unable to answer to multiple takedowns and gruelling grappling exchanges.
The third and fourth followed a similar pattern and although Edwards was never in danger of being finished, there was one clear winner heading into the fifth.
So with the clock winding down and just under a minute remaining, the head kick that will be replayed from here to eternity found a home with absolute precision.
Edwards was overcome with emotion on the mic and there’s a strong likelihood that Usman’s body of work will earn him an immediate trilogy rematch.

Edwards repeatedly said: ‘Look at me now’, after fulfilling his ambition of becoming champion of the world

Usman has looked formidable as champion and seemed as though he was on his way to another routine win

Edwards was struggling to combat the pressure but had his moments in the striking exchanges

‘Rocky’ described his knockout as ‘beautiful’ when he watched it back on the big screen alongside Joe Rogan
Prior to Saturday night’s remarkable win, Edwards told Sportsmail he plans on celebrating with friends and family in Utah before jetting back to the UK for what will no doubt be a week-long party. He deserves every bit of it.
At times, Edwards has seemed like one of the most unlucky UFC fighters on the roster. He had a two-year absence and was removed from the rankings, suffered fights falling off through illness and injury but now all the sacrifices and setbacks are a distant memory.
Daily Mail
Sports
FG, Enugu Sign Host State Agreement for 2026 National Sports Festival


The Federal Government and Enugu State Government have signed the host state agreement in respect of the 2026 National Sports Festival billed to hold in the South East State.
The agreement, which was signed by the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade for the FG and Governor Peter Mbah for Enugu State, on Tuesday, now awards Enugu State the full hosting rights for the 2026 edition of the National Sports Festival.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Government House, Enugu, Governor Peter Mbah thanked the Commission and other sports stakeholders for the confidence reposed in the state and his administration to stage the event, assuring that it would discharge its hosting responsibilities in a way that would leave a lifelong memory and experience on the athletes and all lovers of sports in Nigeria and beyond.
“We also appreciate the value and significance of this award. I want to commend the commission for finding Enugu worthy of being the next host of the 23rd National Sports Festival. We are going to discharge ourselves creditably.
“As you know, we like to be a role model as a state that gained preeminence over 115 years ago. We will not want to let our forebears down. We will live up to that standard.
“We have already set forth at dawn. Immediately that announcement was made, we mobilised our team. We are already working on revamping the Awgu Games Village and a whole lot. We have decided to deliver a brand new Games Village. We are also completely renovating the stadium to brand new.
“We are making sure that by the time you come here by the end of this year, you are going to be highly impressed. It is not revamping, rebranding or re-equipping, but we are also going to build additional facilities to the existing one. We are looking forward to having a word-class experience befitting the sports men and women, making our hosting a lifelong memory and experience,” he stated.

L-R: Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Enugu State, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu; Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah; and the Director-General, National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olapade, during the signing of the Host State Agreement for 2026 National Sports Festival between the Commission and Enugu State Government the Government House, Enugu, Tuesday.
Earlier in his address, Hon. Olopade said the commission was encouraged by Enugu’s bid, available facilities, improved security in the state, and Governor Mbah’s determination to turn around the sports and social infrastructure to grant Enugu the right to host the event after the 22nd edition to be hosted by Ogun State.
The National Sports Commission boss added that the hosting would boost investment and tourism in the state before, during, and after the event.
Sports
Ademola Lookman crowned 2024 CAF Player of the Year


Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman, has been named the CAF Footballer of the Year for the past year.
Lookman was announced as the winner at an elaborate event in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night.
The Atalanta star won the prize ahead of Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
It has been an incredible year for Lookman, who became the first player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League/UEFA Cup final since 1975, netting the three goals within 26 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen.
Lookman was included in the Team of the Year for the Europa League, and ended the season having had a direct hand in 18 top flight goals for La Dea.
The 27-year-old was ranked the 14th best player during the Ballon d’Or gala on October 28.
Sports
It’s Nigeria’s night of glory, Mbah Hails Lookman, Nnadozie, Super Falcons


Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has congratulated Ademola Lookman, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and the Super Falcons on their wins at the 2024 Confederation of African Football, CAF, Awards, describing the event as a night of glory for both Nigerian football and the nation in general.
“Congratulations to Ademola Lookman, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and the Super Falcons on their well deserved awards as Africa’s Male Footballer of the Year, Female Goalkeeper of the Year, and Female National Team of the Year, respectively, at the prestigious CAF Awards, 2924.
“It was indeed a night of glory for Nigeria. You shone like a million stars through a dint of hard work and patriotism in the year under review and we are super proud of you all.
“I hope these serve as your stepping stones unto higher ground in your individual footballing careers and for Nigerian football in general. Again, congratulations,” he stated.
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