WATCH: Leon Edwards’ Coach Dave Lovell takes corner advice to a whole new level shortly before fight ending KO of Kamaru Usman
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Edwards gets his hand raised at UFC 278
Leon Edwards’ win over Kamaru Usman in the final minute of their fight was as Rocky-esque a moment anyone could ask for. Down 3 rounds and barely making progress in the fifth, fans and the commentary team alike (except Jon Anik) had given up on the Brit as made evident by a few already leaving the arena before the final buzzer.
It was in these closing moments that Leon landed a head kick heard around the world to put a definitive end to Kamaru’s reign at the top while also concluding his Rocky story. Every Rocky needs their own Mickey, screaming in their face about how they’re wasting their potential and need to deliver. Edwards had just that in the form of head coach Dave Lovell
It was his words throughout the fight that made corner cams have the tenacity of old once again. Never once being a yes-man, his accurate assessment of the fight might very well have been what convinced Leon that a definite finish is the only way he walks out of Utah as a champion.
Dave Lovell has been Leon’s trainer ever since he made his permanent home at Team Renegade in Birmingham. The two share a dynamic much reminiscent of a father-son relationship as David can be seen very often keeping Leon away from all vices.
Leon Edwards’ Coach delivers a corner cam moment for the ages
It was this pure passion towards his pupil that was on full display during the 25 minutes last night. At the end of the first round, an overjoyed Lovell was seen trying to compose himself and his student after Leon became the first person to take down Usman in the UFC.
As the rounds progressed, with every passing set of 5 minutes, the intensity and worry in his corner increased 10 fold. Apart from the first round, Leon had nothing to show for the rest of the fight. Succumbing to Kamaru’s takedown attempts and unable to land his combinations it seemed Leon had all but accepted his fate.
It was here, in between round 4 and 5 where Lovell delivered one of the greatest corner cam moments in all of combat sports history. “Listen stop feeling sorry for your f**** self, c’mon man, what’s wrong with you? “, said an overtly concerned Lovell as he knew very well that without a finish, his pupil wouldn’t be a champion, at least not tonight.
“You got to pull this s*** out the fire, c’mon Leon man, you got it man, Let’s Go,” said the fired-up coach as he tried his level best to ensure that his student hadn’t given up on himself. As the round approached it’s closing minutes, Leon would land a picture-perfect head kick, using his left to hide it that would send the undefeated UFC Champion crashing to the canvas.
What’s more iconic? Footage uploaded by Henry Cejudo would reveal to us that just a second before the finish, Leon’s coach would scream out to his student to utilize his head kicks. With the coaching Jon Anik’s commentary and Leon’s story, do you feel this was the most memorable title victory in ages? Let us know.
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