Trevor Wittman had one question for former pound-for-pound No. 1 Kamaru Usman in the aftermath of Usman’s knockout loss to Leon Edwards last August at UFC 278: Why did he lay off the gas in the final round?
Seven months ago, Usman (20-2) was on the verge of tying Anderson Silva’s UFC record of 16 consecutive wins when Edwards (20-3) landed a beautiful head kick in the final minute. That kick will forever be remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in UFC history, and it set the stage for an immediate title rematch at UFC 286 this weekend in Edwards’ backyard of London.
Wittman, Usman’s head coach for the past two years, didn’t necessarily see the kick coming — but he did notice the space Usman suddenly seemed to be giving his opponent. Edwards was clearly losing and appeared to be resigned to a decision defeat. The UFC commentary team saw it. Edwards’ own corner saw it. Wittman saw it too but still recognized Edwards as a threat. After all, it’s a fight and there is always a threat. And at that moment, Usman was giving that threat more space than the game plan had mapped out.
“I was like, ‘What’s he doing? Is he tired? Is the elevation affecting him?'” Wittman told ESPN. “I had to ask him [at some point after the fight], but I wanted to give him some time before I did.”
As it turned out, Wittman didn’t have to ask. After the loss in Salt Lake City, the two drove back to Wittman’s Denver home together. Midway through the eight-hour drive, Usman came out with it unprovoked.
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