UFC 278 LIVE results: Leon Edwards knocks out Kamaru Usman with head kick in final minute
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Leon Edwards has the chance to become the second British champion in UFC history tonight, when he challenges Kamaru Usman for welterweight gold in Salt Lake City.
Seven years ago, Usman outpointed Edwards as part of what has become a 19-fight win streak for the Nigerian-American, who is considered by many to be the UFC’s pound-for-pound king. Edwards has not lost since, however, winning nine bouts in a row and having to wait patiently for his first title shot. The Jamaican-born Briton will look to avenge his loss to Usman and leave Utah as champion this evening, with the welterweight title fight topping what should be an entertaining card.
In the co-main event, former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold returns to the Octagon after three years away. The American, who has suffered three knockout losses in his last four fights, takes on former title challenger Paulo Costa – who himself offers a significant KO threat. Prior to that bout, ex-featherweight champion Jose Aldo continues to chase another shot at the bantamweight belt. The Brazilian icon takes on Merab Dvalishvili in what could be an intriguing contest at 135lbs. Follow round-by-round live updates and results from UFC 278, below:
UFC 278 LIVE
Edwards def. Usman via fifth-round KO (head kick, 4:04)
Costa def. Rockhold via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Dvalishvili def. Aldo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Pudilova def. Yanan via second-round TKO (elbows, 4:04)
Pedro def. Hunsucker via first-round TKO (body kick and ground strikes, 1:05)
UFC 278 LIVE
06:04 , Alex Pattle
Edwards: “I told you, mum, I’d change our lives.”
UFC 278 LIVE
06:03 , Alex Pattle
Edwards: “Pound-for-pound, head shot, dead.
“I told you we could win a belt from the UK, now look at me. There is no pound-for-pound, the belt belongs to nobody.”
UFC 278 LIVE
06:02 , Alex Pattle
Edwards: “It doesn’t matter. From the trenches. I’m built like this. I go until the final bell.”
UFC 278 LIVE
06:01 , Alex Pattle
Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman via fifth-round KO (head kick, 4:04).
UFC 278 LIVE
06:00 , Alex Pattle
Edwards is crying.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:59 , Alex Pattle
I cannot believe what I’ve just seen. I cannot believe it. That is one of the most spectacular title wins in UFC history. Edwards is the second ever UFC champion from Britain.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:57 , Alex Pattle
Usman vs Edwards – Round 5
Dean separates the pair due to a lack of action.
Edwards kicks to the body, and Usman complains it’s low. The action is briefly stopped, although the kick looked fine... Not the first time Usman’s pulled that trick in his career.
We resume. OH, MY GOODNESS! EDWARDS JUST KNOCKED OUT USMAN COLD WITH A HEAD KICK, WITH A MINUTE LEFT!
HE WAS DOWN ON THE SCORECARDS AND JUST WON THE UFC WELTERWEIGHT TITLE OUT OF NOWHERE!
UFC 278 LIVE
05:54 , Alex Pattle
Usman vs Edwards – Round 5
Edwards’ corner gives him some tough love. One round to get a finish.
Usman backs up Edwards and nearly takes him down again. Good defence from Edwards, though.
The crowd boos as Usman stamps on Edwards’ feet and is warned by referee Herb Dean for a lack of activity.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:51 , Alex Pattle
Usman vs Edwards – Round 4
Edwards stands yet again. He’s fighting Usman’s hands. The crowd is restless. Usman takes down Edwards again.
Edwards gets up but is warned over an illegal fence grab, and the position is reset. Edwards gets back up anyway!
But Usman is pouring on punches as the round ends! The buzzer sounds, and Usman defiantly stares down a tired Edwards.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:47 , Alex Pattle
Usman vs Edwards – Round 4
Edwards comes forward. He misses with a hook and eats one from Usman. Now Edwards kicks low, then to the body.
Usman begins to back up Edwards, who slips a clinch attempt and takes Usman’s back! He drives the champion to the fence.
Edwards and Usman are right in front of the Briton’s corner. Edwards lets Usman go, and the champion immediately secures a takedown! Why did Edwards let him go?
Usman is burrowing punches into Edwards’ ribs.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:44 , Alex Pattle
Edwards’ corner urges him to “get f***ing lively”. He’s likely a round down.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:44 , Alex Pattle
Usman vs Edwards – Round 3
Usman moves round in front of Edwards. He’s trying to take the neck with a front headlock here... the guillotine isn’t quite available, though.
Edwards stands just before the buzzer, but that’s a dominant round for Usman.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:42 , Alex Pattle
Usman vs Edwards – Round 3
One-two by Edwards, but Usman replies with heavy punches, backing up the Briton.
Usman gets another takedown – they’re getting easier – and takes the back...
He’s not doing much work, and the crowd boos.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:41 , Alex Pattle
Usman vs Edwards – Round 3
Usman takes the centre of the ring again. Little thrown by either man, however. Edwards now jabs to the body.
Usman opts for a double-leg takedown against the fence. Edwards tries for a guillotine choke, to no avail, but he stands quickly!
Usman with lots of knees to the thighs of Edwards now. Good grappling defence by Edwards, though, to get free once more.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:38 , Alex Pattle
Usman vs Edwards – Round 2
The fight resumes, and Usman gets back on the front foot. Stern jab by Usman. Each man then targets the body of his opponent.
A clean right hand lands for Usman, but a left staggers him! Usman opts to grapple again, against the fence. The crowd boos.
Edwards shoots for a takedown, but Usman sprawls well to defend it. Edwards stands.
Usman with elbows against Edwards, who has his back to the fence. Edwards blocks them, then lands one of his own.
Big hook to the body by Usman, though, and he then takes down Edwards.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:34 , Alex Pattle
Usman vs Edwards – Round 2
Usman backs up Edwards and throws some wild punches. Edwards lands a knee to the body and beaks free.
He blocks a head kick, but Usman is pouring on heavy punches! An uppercut gets through! Edwards tries to stay calm, and he circles away.
Low kicks by Edwards. Usman complains of an eye poke. We’ll see a pause in the action.
Edwards had a fight ruled a No Contest against Belal Muhammad last year, after accidentally poking Muhammad in the eye.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:31 , Alex Pattle
Usman vs Edwards – Round 1
Edwards can’t quite lock in the rear naked choke... but he ends the round in a great position. Wow.
Seriously, wow.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:30 , Alex Pattle
Usman vs Edwards – Round 1
Usman has Edwards clinched against the fence, but Edwards trips Usman and lands in full mount!
That’s the first time Usman has been takedown, officially, in his UFC career! Wow! Elbow from Edwards.
Edwards takes the back! What is happening?!
UFC 278 LIVE
05:28 , Alex Pattle
Usman vs Edwards – Round 1
No touch of gloves, surprisingly! Edwards didn’t look at Usman once during the face-off.
Usman takes the centre of the Octagon. Edwards kicks low, and again. Usman shoots for a takedown against the fence.
Edwards defends it and gets into space! He tries a trip but fails, then drops to the canvas, and Usman follows him to the mat!
Edwards does really well to scramble and stand.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:25 , Alex Pattle
Here we go! It’s time!
UFC 278 LIVE
05:21 , Alex Pattle
Edwards is out first. Now here comes Usman, unbeaten in the UFC.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:18 , Alex Pattle
Edwards is bidding to become Britain’s second ever UFC champion.
The retired Michael Bisping, at middleweight, is the only British champion in UFC history.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:17 , Alex Pattle
Edwards has waited a long time for a title fight and has seen many bouts fall through along the way – including three efforts to make a contest between him and rising star Khamzat Chimaev last year.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:15 , Alex Pattle
As Edwards makes his way to the ring, why not read this interview with the man himself?
Leon Edwards is out for revenge, gold and history in Kamaru Usman rematch
UFC 278 LIVE
05:14 , Alex Pattle
Usman is a wrestling specialist who employed those skills effectively to beat Edwards in 2015, but he has honed his striking and added knockout power since.
Edwards is a very well-rounded mixed martial artist, who is not the most powerful puncher but does have slick striking – and much better grappling skills than in his first clash with Usman.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:13 , Alex Pattle
Usman, 35, is seen by many as the pound-for-pound king of the UFC. He has retained the welterweight title twice against Covington, twice against Jorge Masvidal, and once against Gilbert Burns.
Now he is set for another rematch, against 30-year-old Edwards.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:11 , Alex Pattle
Nigerian-American Usman last fought in November, outpointing rival Colby Covington to retain the title against him for a second time.
Briton Edwards, meanwhile, last competed in June 2021, surviving a late scare against icon Nate Diaz to win via decision.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:10 , Alex Pattle
Usman (20-1) is on a 19-fight win streak, while Edwards (19-3, 1 No Contest) has won nine in a row since losing to Usman.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:08 , Alex Pattle
What a fight. Well, it’s now time for the main event!
Leon Edwards looks to avenge a 2015 decision loss to Kamaru Usman, challenging his old foe for the welterweight title.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:07 , Alex Pattle
A tearful Rockhold: “I’ve been through so much the last few years. Thank you, fighting, thank you, UFC.
“I can’t do this s*** anymore. I’m just... I’m f***ing old.”
Rockhold doesn’t explicitly retire, but he’s certainly emotional.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:03 , Alex Pattle
In those final seconds, Rockhold was rubbing his bloody face on Costa’s. Wild.
Paulo Costa def. Luke Rockhold via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
UFC 278 LIVE
05:01 , Alex Pattle
Rockhold vs Costa – Round 3
There’s constant noise coming from the crowd.
Rockhold twists and is now on top, in full guard!
He’ll end the round – and fight – there, but he’ll surely lose this on points.
UFC 278 LIVE
05:00 , Alex Pattle
Rockhold vs Costa – Round 3
Costa looks at the referee, and Rockhold uses the moment to shoot for a double-leg takedown. But he shoots from miles away, and Costa sprawls well.
Costa moves into side control after a scramble. They’re talking to each other.
Costa takes the back! He’s landing punches to the face of Rockhold, who is breathing very heavily with his mouth open.
Rockhold is still talking to Costa, though!
UFC 278 LIVE
04:58 , Alex Pattle
Rockhold vs Costa – Round 3
Costa backs up Rockhold at once. Rockhold fires back, and Costa stumbles back to the canvas!
Rockhold is overeager in trying to get on top and secure a submission, and he loses the position...
Costa hurts Rockhold with a right hand! Rockhold fires back again, though! He’s still so exhausted.
Rockhold eats a stern jab but staggers Costa with a big overhand!
UFC 278 LIVE
04:56 , Alex Pattle
Rockhold vs Costa – Round 2
And we’re back under way after about a minute or so. More kicks from Rockhold.
It’s worth noting that Rockhold has a strap on his left leg, where he’s dealt with a staph infection recently.
A spinning back kick lands for Rockhold. Costa hammers a kick across Rockhold’s shins. Now he kicks to the body.
After the round ends, Rockhold’s corner wisely warns him against the flashy, energy-draining offence.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:53 , Alex Pattle
Rockhold vs Costa – Round 2
Rockhold has his hands on his knees. That’s surely going to spur on Costa.
Rockhold is warned for an accidental eye poke; the pause in action allows him a moment to recover, though.
More kicks from Rockhold – to the body then head. Costa just misses with a spinning back kick to the head!
Costa smashes Rockhold with a right hook against the fence, and the referee steps in! Costa and the crowd think that’s the end of the fight, but it’s a low blow!
So, we’ll just have a pause in the action while Rockhold recovers. He’s allowed five minutes here; I’d use them all if I were him, given how tired he seems.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:50 , Alex Pattle
Rockhold vs Costa – Round 2
Good straight left for Rockhold from southpaw, over the top of a Costa leg kick. And another! Both shots sting the Brazilian.
Now Rockhold gets a double-leg takedown! But Costa reverses well, standing and taking his opponent’s back. They separate, and Rockhold looks so exhausted.
Costa tags him with a harsh left hook. Now a kick to the body of the former champion. Rockhold with a spinning back kick to the body, now a 360 roundhouse kick! WOW! Odd choices for a tired fighter, but exciting.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:47 , Alex Pattle
Rockhold vs Costa – Round 1
Costa is in mount but lying quite flat, and he fires off body shots.
Rockhold does well to escape and stand! Just over a minute left in the round.
Rockhold flicks out some signature kicks now! Multiple hard kicks to the body! A spinning back one in there, too.
Rockhold’s nose is bloodied, though. Costa grapples the American against the fence.
Rockhold tries for a trip. He fails but lands another hard body kick after the middleweights move into space.
A right overhand lands for Rockhold. The round ends, and Rockhold looks very tired.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:44 , Alex Pattle
Rockhold vs Costa – Round 1
Rockhold with a good right straight over the top of a Costa leg kick.
Rockhold kicks low, and again. He then shoots for a takedown but seems to get clipped with a hook as he does...
Costa with big punches in the clinch! Rockhold seems to be a bit hurt...
Now Costa shoots for a takedown as Rockhold circles along the fence, and the Brazilian gets it! Who saw that coming?
Rockhold is the superior grappler, so let’s see what happens here. Costa is weighing on the 37-year-old in side control. Now he’s into mount. Rockhold tries for a guillotine choke as a counter, but Costa escapes.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:41 , Alex Pattle
Is there any way this one doesn’t end with a knockout? Let’s find out... Here we go!
UFC 278 LIVE
04:36 , Alex Pattle
Costa, meanwhile, was undefeated heading into his title shot against Israel Adesanya in 2020.
The Brazilian lost to Adesanya via TKO, and he has lost his only other fight since – beaten by Marvin Vettori on points last year.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:34 , Alex Pattle
Rockhold’s last fight actually came at light heavyweight, where he was knocked out brutally by Jan Blachowicz. In fact, the American has lost three of his last four contests via knockout – all nasty finishes.
His last middleweight bout came in 2018.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:31 , Alex Pattle
Next up is a huge clash at middleweight. Former champion Luke Rockhold returns to the Octagon after three years away, taking on former title challenger Paulo Costa.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:28 , Alex Pattle
A strange fight. Dvalishvili kept up a great pace and worked very hard, but he mainly grappled and was 0/15 on takedowns.
To win on points regardless... Let’s just say, Indy Sport has long advocated the scoring of takedown defence. It should be seen more positively.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:26 , Alex Pattle
Merab Dvalishvili def. Jose Aldo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).
UFC 278 LIVE
04:24 , Alex Pattle
Aldo vs Dvalishvili – Round 3
Aldo denies yet another single-leg takedown atttempt but is held against the fence. Merab tries to drag Aldo to the canvas, but three times Aldo denies him.
Merab lands a series of knees to the leg of Aldo.
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:22 , Alex Pattle
Aldo vs Dvalishvili – Round 3
Same again from Merab, shooting for a takedown but being denied. Merab lands a right overhand, and Aldo perhaps connects with a counter left hook.
Merab pressures the Brazilian but misses with a spinning back kick. Aldo isn’t being active enough, although he does now time a knee to the body well.
Aldo throws a few jabs, but he’s being too passive. Merab lands a winging right hook.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:18 , Alex Pattle
Aldo vs Dvalishvili – Round 2
Again Merab tries for a takedown, but again he’s denied. The pair separate off the cage wall, but Merab tries again.
Once more he elects to back off, before shooting in the centre, where Aldo sprawls well to defend yet another takedown atttempt.
Twice more in this round, Merab backs Aldo up to the fence. He’s not had much success there, but he’s going to take that round due to his work rate.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:16 , Alex Pattle
Aldo vs Dvalishvili – Round 2
Merab shoots for a single-leg takedown in the middle of the ring, but Aldo is able to stay standing as he’s backed up all the way to the fence!
Spectacular defence from Aldo, but he’s now receiving a bunch of knees to the thigh. Eventually Merab steps back, and the pair move into space.
Aldo with a combination ending in a high kick attempt.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:12 , Alex Pattle
Aldo vs Dvalishvili – Round 1
Aldo checks a leg kick then throws one of his own. Merab throws two wild straight punches, to close distance for a single-leg takedown against the fence.
Aldo is able to break free, and Merab falls to the mat off-balance. Aldo presses forward, hurling a hook to the body. He then times a knee to the body as Merab surges forward.
Again Merab throws a spinning back kick to the body, but he misses this time.
Aldo with a nice combination to the body late in the round.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:09 , Alex Pattle
Aldo vs Dvalishvili – Round 1
Aldo takes the centre of the Octagon at once. Merab with a spinning back kick to the body!
He then flicks out a front kick to the head, but his range is just off.
Loud “Jose Aldo” chants from the crowd in Salt Lake City. Now Merab backs him up.
Merab shoots for a double-leg takedown against the fence, then transitions to a single. Neither works. Aldo’s supreme takedown defence on display.
Now his fierce leg kicks are on display, too! He jabs to the body of Merab.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:06 , Alex Pattle
A huge reaction for Aldo in Utah. They love him.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:02 , Alex Pattle
Meanwhile, Georgian Dvalishvili is on a seven-fight win streak, having most recently come from the brink of defeat to stop Marlon Moraes last September.
UFC 278 LIVE
04:01 , Alex Pattle
Aldo lost a controversial decision to Marlon Moraes in his bantamweight debut, before unsuccessfully challenging for the vacant title against Petr Yan, who stopped the featherweight icon.
Since then, however, Aldo has won three in a row.
UFC 278 LIVE
03:57 , Alex Pattle
Next up, former featherweight champion Jose Aldo continues his bid to challenge for bantamweight gold for a second time.
The Brazilian faces rising contender Merab Dvalishvili.
UFC 278 LIVE
03:50 , Alex Pattle
Lucie Pudilova def. Wu Yanan via second-round TKO (elbows, 4:04).
UFC 278 LIVE
03:49 , Alex Pattle
Yanan vs Pudilova – Round 2
Pudilova’s coach John Kavanagh – who also coaches Conor McGregor – shouts for her to take the back, which she does!
She tries for a rear naked choke but can’t quite lock it in.
Yanan keeps moving, and Pudilova eventually ends up in mount, landing harsh elbows from above!
Yanan turns face down and covers up, and Dean steps in! It’s all over!
UFC 278 LIVE
03:47 , Alex Pattle
Yanan vs Pudilova – Round 2
Yanan punches to the body then comes up for a left-right hook combination to the head, although Pudilova blocks well.
The women trade body kicks simultaneously, then Pudilova kicks low multiple times.
The women clinch, and Pudilova secures a trip into a headlock.
UFC 278 LIVE
03:43 , Alex Pattle
Yanan vs Pudilova – Round 1
Pudilova is warned by referee Herb Dean for not working from side control. She throws an elbow in response, then a hammer fist.
Pudilova tries to set up an arm-triangle choke, but Yanan reads it well. Pudilova is able to move into mount, however, before taking the back as Yanan twists.
Yanan does well to stand, but Pudilova backs her up to the fence.
UFC 278 LIVE
03:41 , Alex Pattle
Yanan vs Pudilova – Round 1
Pudilova at once grapples with Yanan and drives her back to the fence.
Yanan gets free and lands an elbow off the break. Now the Chinawoman throws a series of leg kicks.
Pudilova closes distance with a double-leg takedown, however, and secures it with ease!
Yanan goes to work on an armbar at once, but Pudilova slips free and gets into half-guard, then side control.
UFC 278 LIVE
03:39 , Alex Pattle
Both women are now in the Octagon. Pudilova looks nervous; Yanan looks fired up.
UFC 278 LIVE
03:33 , Alex Pattle
Lucie Pudilova is out first for her bantamweight clash with Wu Yanan.
UFC 278 LIVE
03:28 , Alex Pattle
Tyson Pedro def. Harry Hunsucker via first-round TKO (body kick and ground strikes, 1:05).
UFC 278 LIVE
03:27 , Alex Pattle
Pedro vs Hunsucker – Round 1
Pedro with the forward pressure early on. Hunsucker lunges in but gets tagged with a nice counter jab.
It seems to have hurt him, in fact... OH! And he goes down after a kick to the body!
Pedro quickly finishes the fight on the canvas, as Hunsucker covers up!
UFC 278 LIVE
03:17 , Alex Pattle
The main card opens with a light heavyweight clash between Tyson Pedro and Harry Hunsucker.
UFC 278 LIVE
03:12 , Alex Pattle
And we’re on to the main card, where we’ll provide round-by-round updates!
UFC 278 LIVE
03:11 , Alex Pattle
Marcin Tybura def. Alexandr Romanov via majority decision (29-29, 29-28, 28-28).
UFC 278 LIVE
02:37 , Alex Pattle
Jared Gordon def. Leonardo Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
UFC 278 LIVE
02:11 , Alex Pattle
Sean Woodson vs Luis Saldana ends as split draw (29-27, 27-29, 28-28).
UFC 278 LIVE
01:33 , Alex Pattle
Ange Loosa def. AJ Fletcher via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28).
UFC 278 LIVE
01:32 , Alex Pattle
We’ll have updates from the remaining prelim fights as they each finish, then round-by-round updates from the main card!
UFC 278 LIVE
01:05 , Alex Pattle
Well, Britain’s other world champion hopeful came up short tonight.
While we wait for the remaining prelims to get under way, why not have a read of our Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 report?
Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua in title rematch with split-decision victory
UFC 278 LIVE
Sunday 21 August 2022 00:59 , Alex Pattle
Leon Edwards may just be the best welterweight on the planet. There are few fighters who combine such crisp striking and efficient grappling with such enviable ring IQ. The Jamaican-born Briton is truly the epitome of a mixed martial artist, and his skillset might even be unmatched in eclecticism at 170lbs. The problem is, to prove himself as the best on the planet, Edwards must do something he has already failed to do: beat Kamaru Usman, in the main event of UFC 278 this Saturday.
Edwards, however, dismisses any notion that he is haunted by his sole defeat in the UFC, one which gave way to a nine-fight win streak that has finally earned the luckless but patient 30-year-old a shot at the gold.
“I think it’s more just a memory now,” the Birmingham native says of his 2015 loss to the man who now reigns atop the division. “I watched it back a few times. It’ll be two different fights; I think whoever approaches [the rematch] thinking it’s gonna be the same exact fight, they’re gonna lose. I’ve literally erased it from my memory, I’m just going in there thinking this is a brand new opponent.”
Full interview:
Leon Edwards is out for revenge, gold and history in Kamaru Usman rematch
UFC 278 LIVE
Sunday 21 August 2022 00:56 , Alex Pattle
The early prelims are in fact in the books, here’s how they played out:
Amir Albazi def. Francisco Figueiredo via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 4:34)
Aoriqileng def. Jay Perrin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Victor Altamirano def. Daniel da Silva via first-round TKO (ground strikes, 3:39)
UFC 278 LIVE
Sunday 21 August 2022 00:52 , Alex Pattle
Main card
Kamaru Usman (C) vs Leon Edwards 2 (welterweight title)
Paulo Costa vs Luke Rockhold (middleweight)
Jose Aldo vs Merab Dvalishvili (bantamweight)
Marcin Tybura vs Alexander Romanov (heavyweight)
Tyson Pedro vs Harry Hunsucker (light heavyweight)
Prelims
Leonardo Santos vs Jared Gordon (lightweight)
Wu Yanan vs Lucie Pudilova (women’s bantamweight)
Sean Woodson vs Luis Saldana (featherweight)
AJ Fletcher vs Ange Loosa (welterweight)
Early prelims
Amir Albazi vs Francisco Figueiredo (flyweight)
Aoriqileng vs Jay Perrin (bantamweight)
Daniel da Silva vs Victor Altamirano (flyweight)
UFC 278 LIVE
Sunday 21 August 2022 00:47 , Alex Pattle
Leon Edwards has the chance to become the second British champion in UFC history tonight, when he challenges Kamaru Usman for welterweight gold in Salt Lake City.
Seven years ago, Usman outpointed Edwards as part of what has become a 19-fight win streak for the Nigerian-American, who is considered by many to be the UFC’s pound-for-pound king. Edwards has not lost since, however, winning nine bouts in a row and having to wait patiently for his first title shot. The Jamaican-born Briton will look to avenge his loss to Usman and leave Utah as champion this evening, with the welterweight title fight topping what should be an entertaining card.
In the co-main event, former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold returns to the Octagon after three years away. The American, who has suffered three knockout losses in his last four fights, takes on former title challenger Paulo Costa – who himself offers a significant KO threat. Prior to that bout, ex-featherweight champion Jose Aldo continues to chase another shot at the bantamweight belt. The Brazilian icon takes on Merab Dvalishvili in what could be an intriguing contest at 135lbs.
