The mixed martial arts world is still buzzing over the unbelievable end to UFC 278. With less than a minute to go in the fight, Leon Edwards delivered a knockout for the ages against the heavily favored former world champion Kamaru Usman. As fans in Vivint Arena came unglued, one member of the audience had an understandably different reaction.
Kamaru Usman’s young daughter Samairah was in attendance for her father’s fight. Following her father’s devastating loss, MMA Junkie reporter Mike Bohn reported that Usman’s daughter was clearly in distress and promptly taken out of the arena.
“Just witnessed Kamaru Usman’s daughter get carried out off the arena floor by one of his team as she bawled her eyes out,” Mike Bohn tweeted. “That was a sad sight. #UFC278.”
Just witnessed Kamaru Usman's daughter get carried out off the arena floor by one of his team as she bawled her eyes out. That was a sad sight. #UFC278
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) August 21, 2022
The incident has many questioning whether or not family members, especially young children, should be present given the unpredictable nature of combat sports.
After hearing news of Kamaru Usman’s daughter being in attendance to witness her father’s shocking loss, former two-division world champion Conor McGregor spoke up to give his thoughts. Speaking from experience, McGregor advises fighters to refrain from bringing their families into the arena, particularly young children.
“I feel this deep,” Conor McGregor tweeted. “I do not suggest bringing family whatsoever. Especially the children. This is different fighting. I’ve done both sides of this and feel going to the mission solo is best. You can see family again post-battle. Will definitely be continuing this way going forward.”
I feel this deep. I do not suggest bringing family whatsoever. Especially the children. This is different fighting. I’ve done both sides of this and feel going to the mission solo is best. You can see family again post battle. Will definitely be continuing this way going forward. https://t.co/Ve71l4KeN5
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 21, 2022
Former UFC Champion Rashad Evans Was With Kamaru Usman’s Family During UFC 278 Loss
Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion and close friend of Kamaru Usman was sitting with Usman’s family during the UFC 278 main event. The two fighters are stablemates under manager Ali Abdelaziz who also represents ‘Triple C’ Henry Cejudo.
As the head kick from Ledon Edwards landed and Kamaru Usman’s unconscious body dropped to the canvas, Evans recalls hearing the scream of Usman’s daughter, Samairah.
“Being there was unbelievable because I’m sitting there right next to his family and his daughter’s sitting right there next to me,” Evans said while speaking to Morning Kombat. “And when that whole thing happens you just hear this scream, it was just kind of very traumatic for me, just being a brother to Kamaru, watching him go down like that, man. It just made me feel real sick.”
