Usman fought the perfect fight before getting knocked out — Dana White

UFC President Dana White was convinced that former UFC welterweight world champion Kamaru Usman was on his way to defeating Leon Edwards before he got stopped with less than a minute left in the main event of UFC 278 this Sunday at Vivint Arena in Utah, USA.

Usman, 35, was taken down for the first time in his mixed martial arts career in the opening round but took over the bout for the next three rounds. He was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards but got caught with a head kick that put him to sleep at the 4:04 mark of Round 5.

“I thought Usman fought the perfect fight. It was crazy because I was listening to the commentary, they were dead on with everything they were saying on what Edwards needed to do and what he should be doing. As soon as they were saying it he lands the head kick,” White said.

“Usman fought with absolute and total confidence all night. Fought the perfect fight. Might not be the most fan-friendly style but he was landing big shots to the body and head, and elbows. Could have not fought a more perfect fight until the last minute.”

The highlight-reel knockout was Usman’s first loss since 2013, snapping his 19-fight winning streak. Despite the defeat, Usman seemed to be in good spirits and eager to make a comeback.

“Champs f— up sometimes but we bounce back and come with vengeance,” Usman wrote on his Twitter.

—JMB, GMA News