Nigerians will want to forget the 20th and 21st day of August in a hurry not because of a national disaster but due to the losses suffered by two of their most revered athletes, Anthony Joshua and Kamaru Usman.
Just when Anthony Joshua thought he would get his revenge over Oleksandr Uysk, the Ukrainian who wore “threat” as his countenance during the weigh-in ceremony struck again.
Nigerians thought that they would find solace on Sunday morning with Kamaru Usman but they didn’t actually. The Nigerian lost his UFC Welterweight championship match to Anthony Edwards.
The Briton, in a keenly contested fight, waited until the last minute of the fifth round before landing a devastating kick to Kamaru Usman’s head which eventually knocked out the Nigerian ending his 19-fight victory run.
EDWARDS KNOCKED OUT USMAN 😱 #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/RWYU2n3lap
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 21, 2022
Edwards, who was on a 10-match unbeaten run got his pound of flesh unlike Anthony Joshua who suffered his third loss as a professional.
Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia didnt favour Joshua this time unlike the rematch against Andy Ruiz in 2019.
The Ukrainian didn’t outbox Joshua unlike in the first bout but he dragged him to the limit thereby winning on split decision (113-115, 115–113, 116–112).
Usyk once again walks away with the WBA, (Super), WBO, IBF, and IBO belts leaving Joshua without a heavyweight belt again.
Joshua, on the flip side might be fined as he angrily threw the Ring magazine belt and the Super WBA belt away after losing.
For Usman, he will look to fight another day as he bids farewell to his UFC 278 welterweight belt for now.
