The Final Verdict: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3

The Final Verdict: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3

Abdullah Ouazri|
March 19, 2023|
4

The UFC fights tonight were amazing, and the main event delivered as well. It was the end of the trilogy between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman for the Welterweight title.

The fight itself was entertaining, but the main story was the decision. Edwards took home a debated majority decision on home soil. Let's examine the fight, the judges' scorecards, and The Verdict Scorecard and compare the data:

Official Judges: Ben Cartlidge, David Lethaby, Chris Lee.

The judges' scorecards for Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3.
The judges' scorecards for Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3.
The Verdict Scoredcard for Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3.
The Verdict Scoredcard for Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3.
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Round 1

This was a tentative round by both. Edwards stayed on the outside and landed several more shots than Usman, including heavy body kicks. He also defended Kamaru's attempts to wrestle, taking home the round cleanly.

Judges Scorecard: 10-9 Edwards x3.

The Verdict Scorecard: 9.94-9.07 Edwards.

Round 2

This round had more action from the get-go. Edwards chopped away at Usman's leg before landing a low blow, causing a brief pause in the fight. He then connects with a huge knee that stuns the former champ. Usman recovers and stuns Leon with a right hand of his own before slamming him to the ground. Usman lands more and then stuffs a takedown. They return to the feet, and Usman pressures to the bell.

Judges Scorecards: Cartlidge 10-9 Edwards. Lethaby 10-9 Usman. Lee 10-9 Edwards.

The Verdict Scorecard: 9.67-9.35 Usman.

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Round 3

This round loomed large in the fight. Edwards continues working on the legs but gets taken down. He's up briefly, and Usman tries to drag him back down, but a blatant fence grab stops the takedown. Despite Edwards' protest, Herb Dean takes a point, telling him it "was a horrible" fence grab. They continue trading shots after the fight resumes, Usman landing high and Edwards to the legs. Usman closes the round with a massive elbow and some clinch work.

Note: Edwards was deducted a point from his total score this round.

Judges' Scorecards: Cartlidge 9-9. Lethaby 10-8 Usman. Lee 10-8 Usman.

The Verdict Scorecard: 9.63-8.31 Usman.

Round 4

Edwards spends the majority of the round landing leg kicks while Usman headhunts. The former champ is pressuring the entire time and gets a takedown near the end. They return to the feet, and Edwards lands a left hook. Usman continues to pressure and look for takedowns until the end of the round.

Judges' Scorecards: Cartlidge 10-9 Usman. Lethaby 10-9 Edwards. Lee 10-9 Edwards.

The Verdict Scorecard: 9.73-9.28 Edwards.

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Round 5

Usman blocks a headshot and clinches after landing to the body. They break, and Edwards lands a knee before defending another takedown. Another knee and some more takedown defense. Usman finally gets him down, but the champion is back up and defends another one before the bell rings.

Judges' Scorecards: 10-9 Edwards x3.

The Verdict Scorecard: 9.8-9.2 Edwards.

Official Result: Edwards via Majority decision: 48-46, 48-46, 47-47.

The Verdict Scorecard: 47.12-46.85 Edwards

Now that you've seen the numbers, data, and action, do you agree with the decision and The Verdict Scorecard? Let us know with a comment.

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