Leon Edwards (UFC record 12-2-1, MMA record 20-3-1) is one of the best strikers in the UFC. If fans had any doubt about that, he cleared them in the best way possible at UFC 278. On that PPV, Edwards faced the former champ, Kamaru Usman, for the title.
Usman had the welterweight title at the time of the fight and he was only moments away from retaining it. However, it was not meant to be as a head kick ended the bout in the last minute of the contest.
The kick landed flush and it immediately put out Usman’s lights. To Kamaru’s credit, he did not have any complaints about the KO loss and gave Leon the credit he deserved. But he never mentioned any pain that he was experiencing. However, fans may get an idea about the amount of pain Usman went through from a recently surfaced video.
UFC welterweight prospect Ian Garry recently had to visit a hospital after absorbing the same kick from Leon. During an Instagram live session, he hesitantly revealed the true impact of Edwards’ kick and it was not a pleasant one. The kick landed so hard that Ian’s teeth were aching even after two days of absorbing it.
Ian Garry telling the story of how UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards sent him to hospital this week.😳😬#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/iiAfyPMDSq
— The MMA Media (@The_MMA_Media) November 6, 2022
“We went to hospital this morning because, for the last two days, I’ve been in excruciating pain f***ing shooting through my face from my teeth… there’s no avoiding telling the truth, it just doesn’t need to be told sometimes. Em I may, anyone watched the Leon Edwards-Usman fight? Anyone who know how that went? One of the best head kicks in the UFC? Yeah, I might have felt what that kick felt like on Wednesday morning. So yeah, Leon, I’m blaming you for my tooth f***ing pain!”
Leon Edwards will defend his welterweight title against Kamaru Usman in 2023
Ian Garry (UFC record 3-0, MMA record 10-0) currently trains out of Sanford MMA. Interestingly, the ex-welterweight champ Kamaru Usman (UFC record 15-1, MMA record 20-2) was also a part of the team previously. But, Leon Edwards is with Team Renegade at present. However, it is common for fighters to go for odd training sessions at other gyms.
So it looks like the incident took place during one such sparring session. But it also means Leon is hard at work for his upcoming title defence against Kamaru Usman in 2023. He already clarified that all his attention is towards the trilogy bout at the moment. Although he got the KO finish, Rocky is evidently taking the matter seriously. Garry’s experience proves Leon is in the zone.
Talks are currently ongoing regarding the location of the event. As soon as Leon won, UFC President Dana White teased that he may travel to the UK for the rematch. However, there is no official date or venue for the event just yet. As for Ian Garry, he beat Gabriel Green at UFC 276 and isn’t booked for a bout at present.
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