UFC 263: Leon Edwards survives late Nate Diaz onslaught to take unanimous decision
- Diaz rocks ‘Rocky’ badly with big left hand in the closing moments of fifth round after Edwards was cruising to victory
- Briton had opened up big cuts on Diaz’s face and battered his leg, and admits ‘he earned my respect tonight’
Leon Edwards had bloodied and battered Nate Diaz for 24 minutes at UFC 263 on Saturday night. Then Diaz almost pulled off the upset of all upsets.
Diaz badly rocked “Rocky” with a left hand in the closing moments of their five-round fight in Glendale, Arizona – having been dominated on the feet and on the ground for the whole fight – and swarmed him looking for the finish as the Gila River Arena erupted.
The 29-year-old Briton managed to survive, ducking and dodging and running around the Octagon to hold on for 49-46 scores from all three judges.
It would have been a series of 50-45s, had the Stockton-native not caught him at the death, with Edwards having opened up big cuts on the 36-year-old American’s left eyebrow and the side of his head in the third round, and battered his leg with low kicks.
“Nate’s a veteran – I hit him with everything, minus the kitchen sink, so fair play to him. He gained my respect,” Edwards told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview.
“He caught me with a backhand, it slipped through my guard. It is what it is. I’m young, I’m still learning and still growing. I look forward to my title shot.”