Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Martin Domin

Leon Edwards sends message to Drake after rapper lost $200,000 on Kamaru Usman fight

Leon Edwards called on Drake to send him a Rolex watch after the rapper lost $200,000 when the Brit KO'd Kamaru Usman last night.

Usman was cruising to victory in the welterweight world title fight at UFC 278 in Salt City when Edwards landed a left head kick to render the champion unconscious. In doing so, Edwards cost Drake $200,000 after the musician placed two separate wagers on the champion to retain his title

He backed the Nigerian to win by KO in a bet worth around $149,000 in addition to gambling $49,000 on Usman winning in round four. Drake would have collected $1.3million had both bets come through, but instead he was left empty-handed, in stark contrast to his fortunes last month when he won $3m by backing Molly McCann and Paddy Pimblett to win at UFC London.

Leon Edwards knocks out Kamaru Usman (Zuffa LLC)

He later promised the Liverpool duo a Rolex watch, although it is not clear if he followed through with the offer. And when asked about Drake's losing bet last night, Edwards said: "Next time, bet on me, get more Rolexes that you gave Molly and Paddy. Send one my way."

Edwards was behind on the judges' scorecards going into the final round before he recorded one of the most stunning KOs in UFC history. And he admitted he had struggled to bring his best form into the cage. "Going into it, I knew it was going to be a tough fight," he added. "I said it all week. But I believe I was the better man – but even though it was one my worst performances, it is what it is, I got a clean finish.

Will Leon Edwards best Kamaru Usman if they fight again? Let us know in the comments section below

"My body just wasn’t reacting the way it was meant to react. I don’t know if it was the altitude or not, but when I was backstage watching the other guys fight on TV, everyone was getting tired and gassing out. I was like, ‘Why is everyone getting tired?’ When I went out there after the first round I felt it. My body just wasn’t reacting.

"It wasn’t a cardio issue, it was just like my body wasn’t reacting. But I stayed focused, my coaches spurred me on and kept reminding me, 'You’re still in the fight, you are the best, and fight until the end.' That combination I was drilling with my coaches, that left-cross head kick, and it landed perfectly."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.