UFC 278

SportsLine's Kyle Marley reveals his UFC 278 picks and predictions for Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 2.

Fletcher (-160) vs. Ange Loosa (+135) Caesars Sportsbook lists Usman as the -380 favorite (risk $380 to win $100) in the latest Usman vs. He's also backing "a dangerous fighter" to emerge with a dominant victory. Edwards also has a Performance of the Night under his belt, earning that distinction with a knockout of Seth Baczynski at UFC Fight Night: Gonzaga vs. In April, she won a unanimous decision over Carol Yariwaki at OKTAGON 32 in the Czech Republic. Elsewhere in the UFC 278 odds, Paulo Costa is the -370 favorite against Luke Rockhold (+290) in the co-main event. Among his many other accomplishments, Usman won the Ultimate Fighter 21 Welterweight Tournament in July 2015. Usman has been red hot since suffering his lone setback in May 2013, a near-naked choke submission to Jose Caceres at CFA 11. He watches every single fight for every professional MMA card and does extensive research before each event. Usman won the first bout by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. ET, followed by the main card at 10 p.m.

The main event is a rematch between welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-1 MMA, 15-0 UFC) and Leon Edwards (19-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC). The two first fought in ...

Romanov looks for the clinch and lands a nice knee to the body. Tybura lands a front kick to the body. Gordon closes the distance with a combination and Santos responds with a knee to the body. A kick to the body for Saldana lands as Woodson lands a left hand. Romanov continues to circle and Tybura lands another kick to the body. Once back to the fight, Gordon tries for single punches while Santos looks for a kick to the body. A nice kick to the body finds the mark from Fletcher, and Loosa looks for a takedown. Saldana kicks to the legs and the body as Woodson looks for punches upstairs. Woodson is given a moment to recover and Saldana is celebrating on the top of the cage. A leg kick for Aoriqileng lands, and Perrin answers with a nice punch to the body. Aoriqileng gets back to full guard, and gets back to his feet against the fence. Altamirano sneaks in a hard knee to the body and Da Silva falls to the ground, but is able to pull Altamirano into his guard.

Will Kamaru Usman go 2-0 against Leon Edwards? The Sporting News will be providing updates and analysis on all things UFC 278.

In the U.S., the UFC 278 main card is available via pay-per-view on ESPN+, which also requires a subscription. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $99.98 for the UFC 278 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription, which offers savings of more than 30 percent. The annual ESPN+ subscription price will change from $69.99 to $99.99. and Mexico on the ESPN+ subscription streaming service for a pay-per-view cost. ET and the main card will start at 10 p.m. The prelims will go live at 8 p.m. In the second round, Woodson almost landed the first Buggy Choke in UFC history. ET: Gordon landed a hook to the body and started working on the floor in round three. The Fight Pass prelims will begin around 6 p.m. Prior to the prelims, Victor Altamirano and Daniel Lacerda had a violent first round that saw Altamirano win via TKO. Romanov would not stop landing shots to the face of Romanov while on the floor. Pedro hurt him with a jab and then just took him down with a huge kick to the body.

Results As They Happen, Winner Interviews And More From UFC 278: Usman vs Edwards 2, Live From Vivint Arena In Salt Lake City, Utah.

[UFC 278: Usman vs Edwards 2](/event/ufc-278), Live From The Vivint Arena In Salt Lake City, Utah. [Watch on ESPN+](https://plus.espn.com/ufc/ppv?ex_cid=DSS-OFF-UFC-INARTICLE-EN) [Official Scorecards](https://www.ufc.com/news/official-scorecards-ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2-salt-lake-city) 6 [Merab Dvalishvili](https://www.ufc.com/athlete/merab-dvalishvili)(14-4, fighting out of Long Island, N.Y. After losing his first two UFC appearances while fighting at flyweight, Aoriqileng has earned back-to-back wins since shifting to the 135-pound weight class. [Perrin](/athlete/jay-perrin) with long, clean strikes in the first that sat the Lowell, Massachusetts native in a chair a couple different times, showcasing the power he carries now that he’s fighting at bantamweight. When the tens and nines were tallied, Aoriqileng emerged victorious, securing his second consecutive UFC victory. After giving a good account of himself on short notice against Mounir Lazzez in his promotional debut, Loosa collects his first UFC victory, pushing his record to 9-3 with the win. The former Contender Series competitor found his range and rhythm mid-way through the opening round, busting up AJ Fletcher with a series of clean right hands to take the first round. It took a while to get the scorecards and when the totals were read aloud, it was 29-27 either way with a 28-28 on the third, resulting in the bout being declared a split draw. 2 ranked contender [Leon Edwards](https://www.ufc.com/athlete/leon-edwards). Gordon patiently worked his way inside the length of Santos in the second half of the opening stanza, landing well to both the head and body to chip away at the Brazilian’s gas tank and put some money in the bank.

Sherdog's live UFC 278 “Usman vs. Edwards 2” coverage will begin Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Gordon remains on the offensive as he moves forward with a combination to the head. Santos counters Gordon with a knee up the middle. Gordon with a couple punches to the head, then a few to the body. Gordon gets a body lock and presses Santos into the cage. Loosa with a couple kicks to the body and Fletcher answers, which prompts Loosa to change levels. A body kick lands for Saldana as Woodson moves forward. [Ange Loosa](/fighter/Ange-Loosa-95799) (170.5) [BETTING PREVIEW](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31WkDQIBMy8&t=1818s) [In a matter of moments, Albazi secures a body triangle and slides his arm under Figueiredo’s chin. He keeps the pressure on and lands a couple short punches and a knee in close quarters. Perrin lands a leaping knee but eats a left hook on the exit. Jay Perrin (136)](#qileng-aori-(136)-jay-perrin-(136)) [Victor Altamirano (125) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (136)](#jose-aldo-(136)-merab-dvalishvili-(136)) [Lucie Pudilova (135.5) vs.

A welterweight title bout tops the marquee for UFC's debut in Salt Lake City for its latest PPV event.

- Amir Albazi def. - Ange Loosa def. - Marcin Tybura def. The main card begins at 10 p.m. Plus, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold returns from a three-year layoff to former title challenger Paulo Costa. Edwards had a much quieter path to the world title,

Kamaru Usman faces Leon Edwards with the UFC welterweight title on the line. Follow live.

[Victor Altamirano](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4713584/victor-altamirano) (11-2, 1-1 UFC) def. [Aoriqileng](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4389085/aoriqileng) (20-9, 2-2 UFC) def. [Leon Edwards](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3152929/leon-edwards) (19-3 1 NC, 11-2 1 NC UFC, +310) [Ange Loosa](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4875506/ange-loosa) (9-3, 1-1 UFC) def. [Amir Albazi](http://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4684848/amir-albazi) (15-1, 3-0 UFC) def. [Jared Gordon](http://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3894823/jared-gordon) (19-5, 7-4 UFC) def. [Alexandr Romanov](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4421473/alexandr-romanov) (16-1, 5-1 UFC) by majority decision [Harry Hunsucker](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4251497/harry-hunsucker) (7-6, 0-3 UFC) by first-round TKO [Wu Yanan](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4065639/wu-yanan) (12-6, 1-5 UFC) by second-round TKO [Jose Aldo](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2447641/jose-aldo) (31-8, 13-7 UFC) by unanimous decision [Paulo Costa](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4080826/paulo-costa) (13-2, 5-2 UFC, -370) vs. Costa (13-2), a 31-year-old Brazilian slugger, has dropped two straight, including a second-round TKO loss to middleweight champion [Israel Adesanya](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4285679/israel-adesanya) at UFC 253 in September 2020.

Get UFC 278 results for the Usman vs. Edwards 2 event Saturday night in Salt Lake City.

[live blog](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/20/23314683/ufc-278-live-blog-jose-aldo-vs-merab-dvalishvili)) [Lucie Pudilova def. [ESPN+](http://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/482924/595608/9070?sharedid=MMAFighting) PPV live now) [Kamaru Usman vs. Wu Yanan via second-round TKO (4:04) ](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/20/23314789/ufc-278-results-lucie-pudilova-delivers-vicious-elbow-strikes-to-finish-wu-yanan-on-the-ground)( [live blog](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/20/23314678/ufc-278-live-blog-wu-yanan-vs-lucie-pudilova?utm_campaign=mmafighting&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter)) [Tyson Pedro def. Harry Hunsucker via first-round TKO (1:05)](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/20/23314766/ufc-278-results-tyson-pedro-demolishes-harry-hunsucker-with-devastating-body-shot-in-just-65-seconds) ( [live blog](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/20/23314667/ufc-278-live-blog-tyson-pedro-vs-harry-hunsucker)) [Watch finish](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/20/23314653/ufc-278-video-amir-albazi-trolls-joe-rogan-after-nasty-rear-naked-choke-finish-francisco-figueiredo) [Twitter Reax](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/20/23314704/dumbest-fighter-ive-ever-seen-fighters-react-to-bizarre-split-draw-at-ufc-278) Usman is aiming for his sixth straight title defense, while Edwards is 9-0 with one no-contest over his past 10 fights. Edwards 2 fight card, live blogs of all the main card fights, and live UFC 278 Twitter updates from Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Leon Edwards](https://www.mmafighting.com/fight/12721/kamaru-usman-vs-leon-edwards) [UFC on FOX 17](https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/748/ufc-on-fox-17) on Dec. [Kamaru Usman](https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/2033/kamaru-usman) will square off against [Leon Edwards](https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/3026/leon-edwards) for a second time. [UFC 278](https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/1314/ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2) results for the Usman vs.

Can pound-for-pound king Kamaru Usman secure the world welterweight title? Or will England's Leon Edwards shock the Nigerian? US fans can watch the full fight ...

[BT Sport Monthly Pass ](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=3041&awinaffid=103504&clickref=whathifi-gb-2101639747683551500&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bt.com%2Fsport%2Fmonthly-pass%3Fs_intcid%3Dcon_portal_sport_hero_banner_ufc265)(opens in new tab)(£25 a month). The pass lets you watch instantly on the BT Sport app or [BT Sport webplayer](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=3041&awinaffid=103504&clickref=whathifi-gb-1345380804341166000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bt.com%2Fsport) (opens in new tab). [BT Sport](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=3041&awinaffid=103504&clickref=whathifi-gb-7261275601294316000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bt.com%2Fsport%2Fmonthly-pass%3Fs_intcid%3Dcon_portal_sport_hero_banner_ufc265) (opens in new tab) subscription can watch UFC 278 free of charge. Subscription to the streaming service costs €29.99 a month (around £25 / $35 / AU$48). Anyone without can [buy a BT Sport monthly pass for £25](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=3041&awinaffid=103504&clickref=whathifi-gb-4481884191699884500&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bt.com%2Fsport%2Fmonthly-pass%3Fs_intcid%3Dcon_portal_sport_hero_banner_ufc265) (opens in new tab) and get an instant UFC 278 live stream. Existing BT TV subscribers can access BT Sport channels for £10 per month. It's a rolling one month contract and you can cancel anytime. Those with a BT Sport subscription are in luck. That's a $45 saving and a whole load of MLB, NHL, college sports and soccer from all over the world for the extra $14.99. Getting one over on Kamaru in Utah won't be easy, mind – the Nigerian has won 19 bouts in a row. Read on for a UFC 278 live stream, start time, full card information, tale of the tape and more. The pair first met in 2015, when Nigerian Kamaru Usman overpowered the man from Birmingham, England, winning by unanimous decision.

R5. The fight doesnt change pace, Usman is still on the plan to finish his opponent, but Edwards makes the task difficult. The champion has Edwards on.

And last but not least, former featherweight champion and all-time great, Jose Aldo also gets in on the action at roosterweight! A low blow to Rockhold stopped the actions for a moment and the two fighters had a chance to catch their breath. Rockhold took a blunt blow to the nose, it started to bleed and looked like it was broken. Rockhold tried to throw Costa, but the Brazilian defended himself, then tried to submit him, but could not. Usman and Edwards start slow, the two fighters measure each other. Costa again went forward, but Rockhold met him with a right hand that sent the Brazilian to the back. UFC returns to Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the first time in more than five years, headlined by a blockbuster welterweight championship bout that will see Kamaru Usman relaunch with No. The challenger tries to defend himself. In the co-main event, #4 middleweight contender Paolo Costavise will spoil the comeback of former 185-pound champion Luke Rockhold. [UFC 278](https://www.marca.com/en/ufc/2022/08/19/62ffbb4eca47411c268b4577.html) in Salt Lake City, Utah,Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards will meet for the second time, this time the American will look to beat him for the first time and give a blow of authority in the welterweight category. Edwards tries to take his opponent to the floor, but the champion reacts well, gains the position and punishes Edwards with elbows. Edwards tries to take the fight to the ground, but Usman's defense is very good and he manages to escape.

'Rocky' shocked the world with a head-kick knockout in the waning moments of the fight to earn the welterweight crown.

Jose Aldo](https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/ufc-278-results-highlights-merab-dvalishvili-outpoints-jose-aldo-for-critical-bantamweight-win/)via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Luke Rockhold](https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/ufc-278-results-highlights-paulo-costa-tops-luke-rockhold-as-former-champion-smears-blood-before-retiring/)via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) [Merab Dvalishvili def. Edwards improved to 20-3 (1 NC) with the win over Usman. "I thought that Usman fought the perfect fight," White said. White suggested Wembley Arena as a venue and expressed his desire to see the rubber match in England. "But we bounce back and come with vengeance!" Usman took over the fight with his superior wrestling and slung heavy boxing combinations and seemed on his way to yet another title defense as he neared Anderson Silva's record for most all time. Kamaru Usman via KO, Round 5 I told you, now look at me now." Leon Edwards just shocked the world. "I said all week I felt like this is my moment. Kamaru Usman vs.

'Rocky' scored a fifth-round TKO to win the division belt in Saturday's rematch against Usman.

The fight ended in a TKO, finishing in just 64 seconds. She was outclassed by Pudilová (14–7), a grappling-heavy performance that was never in doubt. Edwards landed a solid, clean left, but the majority of the pressure was from Usman (20-2). Usman was less than 60 seconds away from a unanimous decision until Edwards finished the fight with a flawless, spectacular head kick. Edwards (20-3-1) looked outstanding to start and end the fight, but it was all Usman in between. He avenged his last loss, which was against Usman in 2015, and his redemption also includes the belt.

Follow live updates and results from the prelims and main card, as Edwards looks to become Britain's second ever UFC champion in the main event.

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Edwards (20-3) is undefeated dating back to his previous bout with Usman in 2015. The British fighter rose to No. 2 in the welterweight division while ...

Merab Dvalishvili prevailed over former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo in a unanimous decision in the men’s bantamweight bout, earning his eighth straight win. Costa more than doubled Rockhold in total strikes through the first two rounds and eventually left him with a bloodied mouth in the third round. Rockhold (16-5) returned to the octagon for the first time in three years and his rust showed as the bout progressed. Usman (20-2) lived up to his reputation as the No. Edwards (20-3) is undefeated dating back to his previous bout with Usman in 2015. [Usman](https://www.spin.ph/tag/kamaru-usman) appeared to be seconds away from a 16th consecutive victory, which would have tied an all-time UFC record, before Edwards came up with the stunning finish just in time.

See the top Twitter reactions to Paulo Costa's victory against Luke Rockhold in the UFC 278 co-main event.

[https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561203004933652480](https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561203004933652480) [https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561202519421894656](https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561202519421894656) [https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561201121800118272](https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561201121800118272) [https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561200367924396032](https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561200367924396032) [https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561199432330317830](https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561199432330317830) [https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561199155892068352](https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561199155892068352) [https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561198287394324480](https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561198287394324480) [https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561198186521305088](https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561198186521305088) [https://twitter.com/TeddyAtlasReal/status/1561198022360305665](https://twitter.com/TeddyAtlasReal/status/1561198022360305665) [https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561196717458034690](https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561196717458034690) [https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561195751190978563](https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561195751190978563) [https://twitter.com/MMAJunkie/status/1561195732987654145](https://twitter.com/MMAJunkie/status/1561195732987654145)

Follow the UFC 278 live blog for Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold, the middleweight co-main event fight in Salt Lake City on Saturday.

[Luke Rockhold](https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/98/luke-rockhold), the middleweight co-main event fight in Salt Lake City on Saturday. A three-year absence ensued, in part due to repeated injuries, but now Rockhold says he’s back to peak form and ready to make another run at the title. That wasn’t an issue this time for Costa though, as he looks absolutely shredded and ready to return to the win column.

Visibly exhausted following a wild opening round, former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold used every drop of blood and sweat to make it to the finish ...

"He created a lot of shots on the face and the chin. Rockhold even drew cheers from the crowd in the final minute by rubbing his bloody face against Costa's head. "This energy came through from this audience and it was amazing," Costa said. The third round was as insane as any in recent memory. Instead, Rockhold began loading up on every single shot and slowly timed Costa with counter left hooks and spinning kicks to the body. Surprisingly, Costa shot for a timely takedown that saw him move to mount.

Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold delivered a wild, wild West-style bar brawl in the co-main event of UFC 278.

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Usman went down instantly and Edwards won the UFC welterweight title in stunning fashion.

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Andrew Gombas locked in his best bets for Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman and the rest of the UFC 278 fight card.

Fletcher (-160) vs. Ange Loosa (+140) Dvalishvili (14-4) is a speed wrestler and grappler who gives opponents fits with his nonstop pressure. Gombas also has strong picks for UFC 278: Usman vs. 3-ranked Aldo (31-7) is an 11-year UFC veteran and decorated former champion who can perhaps lock up another title shot should he secure his fourth consecutive victory. He is relentless with takedowns and will likely look to press Aldo against the cage. 6-ranked Paulo Costa (-280 in the UFC 278 odds) faces former champion Luke Rockhold (+240), who returns to the cage following a three-year absence. Even UFC president Dana White, who was once outwardly critical of Usman's conservative approach, recently told the media that Usman deserves to be considered among the promotion's greatest champions. In fact, eight of his first nine UFC wins came by decision. The victory ignited his journey towards becoming a dominant champion and while his fighting style evolved, so did perceptions of him among MMA observers. He started the MMA handicapping service MMA Knockout Bets in 2018 and has shown a profit every year since. Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says he expects a different fight but a similar outcome when he takes on rival Leon Edwards on Saturday in the main event of UFC 278.

Leon Edwards pulled off a fifth-round head-kick knockout out of nowhere to dethrone Kamaru Usman and win the UFC welterweight title at UFC 278 on Saturday ...

The 35-year-old Usman then returned to the kind of suffocating wrestling that has been the bedrock of his fighting style since he turned pro in 2012, backing his opponent up to the fence and taking him down at will. On a streak of 15 wins in the UFC coming into the bout, Usman struggled in the first round as Edwards, whom he beat in their only previous meeting in 2015, shocked him by taking him down to the mat for the first time in his UFC career. Briton Leon Edwards pulled off a fifth-round head-kick knockout out of nowhere to dethrone Kamaru Usman and win the UFC welterweight title at UFC 278 on Saturday to crown one of the greatest comebacks in mixed martial arts history.

Champions abound at UFC 278 as the promotion's August PPV finally takes the sport back to Salt Lake City, Utah, for the second time in UFC history.

Cutting through his opponents' guards with a sharp jab, Usman thoroughly controlled the striking game against both Burns and Masvidal on the way to TKO finishes. Edwards has never been finished in his career and over half of his career victories have come via decision. But after capturing UFC gold with a Fight of the Night performance, his career sputtered heavily. Pierre still lays claim to the title of welterweight GOAT in many minds. In his most recent win, over Moraes, Dvalishvili utilized a stout standup game and a high volume of strikes to open his takedowns later in the fight, where he smothered Moraes. While Vettori agreed to make the fight a light heavyweight bout, Costa would fall again in a lopsided unanimous decision. Her first stint in the UFC ended in her release after four consecutive losses. "The initial time I tore my ACL completely, a complete rupture, I did nine months of a return after they did the hamstring graft," Pedro told ESPN in March. The Australian, who possesses a massive 79-inch reach, suffered a severe ACL tear in his 2018 loss to Mauricio Rua. After doubling down on his victories over Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington, Usman's 'lapping' of the division has become a common talking point when grasping his welterweight legacy. The shocking knockout came after Usman dominated much of the fight with his usual diet of powerful striking and unstoppable grappling. Although he landed a few heavy shots and had some success on the ground, Costa's stamina and strength proved to be too much.

Can't get enough boxing and MMA? Get the latest in the world of combat sports from two of the best in the business. Subscribe to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas ...

Cruz is a dream fight even if Cruz is a little long in the tooth. The downside to this pairing is that Font is already on a two-fight skid and might benefit from a breather with someone ranked lower than him. has been a hot market for the UFC in 2022 and a show at Wembley Stadium would be huge for the company and England's new champion. The winner of Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev is primed for a title shot with a win over Nate Diaz at UFC 279, but if Usman can recapture the belt, Usman vs. Honorable mentions -- Khamzat Chimaev, Colby Covington or Jorge Masvidal: The benefit of having a new champion means there is an abundance of fresh title fights. Edwards is a new commodity and fights against other contenders would likely draw fewer eyeballs than the Usman rematch. There are endless possibilities for the welterweight division in the aftermath of UFC 278. There are a number of factors supporting the need for a rubber match. Looking beyond the rubber match, there are a number of fresh matchups buoyed by bad blood, including the wolf named Khamzat Chimaev lurking in the shadows. [wallop each other for 15 minutes](https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/ufc-278-results-highlights-paulo-costa-tops-luke-rockhold-as-former-champion-smears-blood-before-retiring/), earning Fight of the Night honors. Subscribe to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell for the best analysis and in-depth news, including instant analysis of 278 below.

Moments later Costa was named the winner via unanimous decision by the judges in what was likely Rockhold's final fight of his career. Check out this gross ...

Moments later Costa was named the winner via unanimous decision by the judges in what was likely Rockhold’s final fight of his career. There was also a really wild moment in one of the most anticipated fights on the card when Luke Rockhold was seen purposely smearing his blood onto Paulo Costa’s face during the final seconds of the third and final round of their fight. UFC 278 was an amazing night of fight in Salt Lake City, Utah, which ended with

The fighter known as "Rocky" scored the win with 56 seconds left in the UFC 278 welterweight title fight.

Champion of the world.” I’m champion of the world. Usman bit on a feint, Edwards landed his kick and one of the biggest upsets in the sport was in the books. Saturday’s result prompted immediate talk of a rematch and Usman, who was taken to a hospital after the fight, graciously hinted as much on Twitter. Edwards started strong, with Usman being taken down in the first round for the first time in his UFC career. at least the UFC world.

Paulo Costa made a successful return to the UFC Octagon following a lengthy spell of inactivity through injury - but it was bitter rival Luke Rockhold who ...

I gave it my all. The clip was posted by Barstool Sports which you can see for yourself in the video above. Thank you, Joe. Thank you, UFC. thank you, fighting. [Paulo Costa](https://www.givemesport.com/paulo-costa) made a successful return to the [UFC](https://www.givemesport.com/ufc) Octagon following a lengthy spell of inactivity through injury – but it was bitter rival [Luke Rockhold](https://givemesport.com/luke-rockhold) who stole the show.

Despite a few bumps in the road during fight week, it doesn't sound like Dana White is interested in holding a grudge with Luke Rockhold.

[UFC 278](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/events/ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2) co-main event Saturday for his first fight in more than three years. For both of them to dig as deep as they did and put on an absolute dogfight like they did, I have nothing but respect for both of them. That may have made for an awkward interaction at the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday, but Rockhold seemed to be more focused on his fight with Costa than his criticism on White. “There’s a lot of stress. “I think that coming into a situation like both of theirs, there’s a lot of pressure,” White said at a post-event news conference. [Dana White](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/dana-white) is interested in holding a grudge with [Luke Rockhold](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/luke-rockhold).

After his UFC 278 win, Paulo Costa revealed his promotional deal may be over – or it may have one fight left on it.

If this is the last fight, so I have no more on the contract, I need to sit down and put attention and look what is best for my future. We have a lot of great opportunities there, but the UFC is a great company. But I know we have UFC Rio in Brazil in January, so maybe I can wait a little more. Unsure of whether or not his promotional deal is fought out or not, Costa said there are a few options on the horizon. “We’ve had a lot of great opportunities (that) came up,” Costa told reporters, including MMA Junkie. He might also have no fights left on his UFC contract.

The top storylines from UFC 278 include Leon Edwards' KO of Kamaru Usman, Luke Rockhold's final war, and Jose Aldo dropping the ball.

If he had his druthers, he obviously would’ve rather connected with it in the first round and not gone through the headache, but landing it when he did just made the moment that much more shocking. It was a technique he scouted in advance, and he couldn’t have timed it better. Costa is more highly ranked and a more important piece of the roster than Burgos in my opinion (with all due respect), but if he’s truly a free agent, he has the chance to field offers. The 185-pound weight class is thin on contenders, and if Costa can put together a sting of wins, it’s not unreasonable to think he gets back in the discussion to rematch Israel Adesanya (assuming he’s still the champ). It just shows anything can happen when two fighters are locked in that cage, and this in this instance, it did. Silva’s record is safe for the time being, with Alexander Volkanovski looking like the next potential candidate to threaten it with his current 12-fight streak. It’s ultimately just another reminder that this is the hardest sport out there to be consistently successful at. Allowing Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) to fight out his deal might not give the promotion a choice, however. Hopefully he leaves with closure and the next chapter of his life, whatever it may be, brings him peace and happiness. He landed some huge shots and had some advantageous ground positions at time, but you could tell it was a far diminished version of the man who once held UFC and Strikeforce gold. In the end, you have to admire Rockhold’s courage. That doesn’t mean Aldo should fold up the tent and go home, though.

Despite a few bumps in the road during fight week, it doesn't sound like Dana White is interested in holding a grudge with Luke Rockhold.

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