At UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Leon Edwards shockingly defeated Kamaru Usman to claim the welterweight title.
In the fifth round, Edwards, 30, who was down on points, connected with a left high kick to knock out Nigeria’s top pound-for-pound fighter.
Edwards becomes just the second British champion in history and the first since Michael Bisping in 2016.
“You all doubted me, saying I couldn’t do it – look at me now,” said Edwards.
“I’m from the trenches. I’m built like this. I’ve been doubted my whole life but look at me now.”
By defeating Usman, Birmingham’s Edwards exacts revenge for his loss in 2015 and snaps the 35-year-UFC old’s winning streak of 15 fights.
Edwards, a Jamaican-born fighter who entered the fight as a huge underdog with the bookmakers, now has 10 victories under his belt since losing to Usman seven years ago.
He used a feint to entice Usman’s head to the side before delivering a clean left high kick that knocked the Nigerian to the ground.
The magnitude of what he had accomplished began to dawn on Edwards, and he leaped upon the cage in delight.