The Briton who gets on a 12-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC kept his title before his own followers after a fantastic striking screen as he avoided most of Usman's takedown attempts.

The 31-year-old edged out former champion Kamaru Usman in their trilogy encounter with factors. It was close suit yet Edwards landed the cleaner shots.

Judges racked up the spell 48-46, 48-46, 47-47 to provide Edwards a majority choice.

The bout at the O2 Field was billed as the biggest British mixed martial arts battle in background.

After his loss, Kamaru Usman congratulated Edwards on his accomplishments by calling him "a terrific champ."

He likewise kept in mind that he did enough to win yet confessed was close.

Usman informed BT Sporting activity: "I think I did enough to win the battle however I recognized it was close.

" He had an excellent gameplan. I constantly said from the beginning we 'd meet again and also I'm not done. We will see each other once more.

" I always offered him props of what he's accomplished. He's a sibling like myself and also excellent regard. London you've got yourself a terrific champ.

When inquired about his plans to come back in the octagon, 'The Nigerian Problem', Usman who has now shed two succeeding fights stated: "Not too long. I'll come back with my coaches. I are just one of those individuals, I can't sit for also long.

" I'll invest some time with my little girl. You guys reach watch us yet you do not know what we have to give up to be right here. We put it on the lines every single time," he added.

' I may take a trip to Miami'-- Edwards means a round with Covington

After securing victory in fantastic fashion, Jamaican-born Edwards called Kamaru a "terrific competitor" as well as also hinted at a spell with former interim welterweight champ Colby Covington, that was rested at cage-side.

He claimed: "That man [Colby Covington] has actually sat out for 2 years. I might take a little trip to Miami and see what's taking place there."

On his win against Usman, Edwards said: "He really did not get any takedowns I was landing cleaner shots. I got his legs.

"Thanks to Kamaru for being a wonderful competitior.

"I couldn't get the subjugate his head. He had the excellent support. I was trying to establish it up with kicks to the body and legs.

"I recognize it was a close fight so I knew I needed to land the cleaner shots. He didn't land numerous clean on me. He simply had lots of stress.