UFC 278
UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 was a pay-per-view mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that took place on August 20, 2022, at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.[1] The event marked the promotion's first pay-per-view in the state of Utah and drew an announced attendance of 18,321 fans, generating a live gate of $4,297,655 and setting an arena record.[2] In the main event, welterweight champion Kamaru Usman defended his title against No. 1 contender Leon Edwards in a rematch of their 2015 bout, which Usman had won by unanimous decision.[3] Edwards captured the championship with a stunning knockout via left high kick at 4:04 of the fifth round, ending Usman's UFC-record 15-fight winning streak and marking one of the most dramatic upsets in UFC title fight history.[4] The victory earned Edwards the Performance of the Night bonus.[1] The co-main event saw Paulo Costa defeat former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, who was returning after a four-year hiatus, by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) over three rounds.[1] Their back-and-forth striking battle was awarded Fight of the Night honors.[1] Other notable bouts included bantamweight veteran José Aldo losing a unanimous decision to surging contender Merab Dvalishvili (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), extending Dvalishvili's win streak to nine, and light heavyweight Tyson Pedro securing a first-round knockout of Harry Hunsucker.[1] The event featured 12 fights in total across the main card, prelims, and early prelims, with seven decisions (including one draw), four knockouts, and one submission.[1]Background
Main Event Rematch
The rematch at UFC 278 served as a welterweight title bout between champion Kamaru Usman and challenger Leon Edwards, revisiting their initial encounter from nearly seven years prior. On December 19, 2015, at UFC on Fox: Dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2 in Orlando, Florida, Usman defeated Edwards by unanimous decision with scores of 29-28, 30-27, and 29-28 across three rounds, marking an early highlight in both fighters' rising careers.[5][6] This victory propelled Usman toward welterweight dominance, while Edwards rebounded to build a strong case for contention. Usman entered UFC 278 riding a UFC-record 15 consecutive wins, a streak that included his title-winning unanimous decision over Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 in March 2019 and subsequent defenses against notable challengers such as Colby Covington at UFC 245 and UFC 268, as well as Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261 and in a short-notice bout at UFC 251.[7] His reign featured five successful title defenses, showcasing relentless pressure wrestling and improved striking that neutralized top-division threats.[8] This undefeated run in the UFC underscored the high stakes for Usman, who aimed to extend his legacy against a familiar opponent. Edwards, ranked No. 3 in the welterweight division entering the event, had transformed the 2015 loss into motivation for an impressive resurgence, compiling a nine-fight win streak (1 NC) that positioned him for his first championship opportunity after waiting nearly seven years. Key victories included a unanimous decision over former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on ESPN+ 4 in March 2019 and a unanimous decision over Nate Diaz at UFC 263 in June 2021, demonstrating his versatile skill set in striking and grappling.[9][10] The buildup featured pointed exchanges, with Usman emphasizing his proven dominance and predicting another one-sided affair based on his evolution since their first meeting.[3] Edwards countered by stressing his sharpened striking precision and enhanced grappling defense, framing the rematch as validation of his growth and determination to dethrone the champion. Pre-fight odds heavily favored Usman at around -550, reflecting widespread expectations of his continued supremacy.[11]Supporting Bouts
The co-main event of UFC 278 featured a middleweight clash between Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold, which was originally scheduled for UFC 277 on July 30, 2022, but rescheduled to the August 20 pay-per-view following undisclosed logistical adjustments.[12] This matchup marked Rockhold's return to the Octagon after a four-year absence, his last bout being a submission loss to Jan Błachowicz in July 2019, while Costa sought to rebound from consecutive defeats to Israel Adesanya in 2020 and Robert Whittaker in 2022.[13] The fight's significance lay in pitting Rockhold's technical grappling and striking against Costa's explosive power, generating buzz as a potential high-action contest amid both fighters' career revivals. Other notable bouts on the card included a bantamweight showdown between Merab Dvalishvili and José Aldo, verbally agreed upon on June 16, 2022, representing Aldo's return to the UFC after his release following a 2021 loss to Rob Font.[14] Dvalishvili, on an eight-fight win streak entering the event, aimed to solidify his contention status against the former featherweight champion, whose move to bantamweight added intrigue to the matchup. In the light heavyweight division, Tyson Pedro faced Harry Hunsucker in a bout announced on June 14, 2022, marking Pedro's comeback after a three-year layoff due to injuries, his previous fight a 2018 loss to Jimi Manuwa.[15] Hunsucker, dropping from heavyweight, brought urgency to the fight as he sought his first UFC victory after two defeats. The card experienced several roster adjustments due to injuries and medical issues. A flyweight bout between Victor Altamirano and Jake Hadley, initially scheduled, saw Hadley withdraw due to injury and replaced by Daniel Lacerda, with the change confirmed prior to the event. Additionally, on the day of the ceremonial weigh-ins, Shanna Young was hospitalized from weight cut complications, leading to the cancellation of her flyweight matchup against Miranda Maverick without a replacement. These shifts highlighted the fluid nature of fight preparations, particularly in the preliminary portion, where Amir Albazi vs. Francisco Figueiredo proceeded as originally planned after its June announcement.[16] The full fight card for UFC 278 was progressively built following the event's initial announcement on June 11, 2022, during the UFC 275 broadcast, headlined by the welterweight rematch between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards.[17] By June 20, 2022, the UFC revealed a 12-fight lineup including the co-main and several undercard bouts, with further additions like the Pedro-Hunsucker and Dvalishvili-Aldo matchups confirmed in the ensuing weeks through July.[16] This timeline reflected the promotion's efforts to assemble a stacked pay-per-view, emphasizing veteran returns and rising contenders while navigating scheduling hurdles.Event Details
Venue and Logistics
UFC 278 took place on August 20, 2022, at Vivint Arena (now known as the Delta Center since July 2023) in Salt Lake City, Utah, marking the promotion's return to the state after a six-year absence since UFC Fight Night 92: Rodríguez vs. Caceres on August 6, 2016.[18] The arena, home to the NBA's Utah Jazz, served as the host for the Ultimate Fighting Championship's second numbered event in the city, highlighting Salt Lake City's growing appeal as a venue for major combat sports gatherings.[19] The venue has a seating capacity of 18,306 for mixed martial arts configurations, accommodating a sold-out crowd of 18,321 spectators for UFC 278, which generated a live gate revenue of $4,297,655—an arena record for combat sports events at the time.[20][2] This attendance underscored the event's strong local draw, with tickets selling out well in advance and contributing to the economic boost for the downtown area. Operational logistics were streamlined to support the high-profile pay-per-view, including enhanced security and crowd management protocols suited to the arena's multi-purpose design. Official weigh-ins occurred on August 19, 2022, at Vivint Arena, where all 24 fighters on the card successfully made weight without major misses, ensuring the full lineup proceeded as scheduled; minor adjustments were limited to non-critical bouts.[21][22] Pre-event activities, including media day and fan experiences, were hosted on-site to facilitate smooth operations. The event adhered to UFC's post-COVID-19 health and safety measures, which included mandatory testing requirements for fighters, coaches, and staff to mitigate any residual risks from the pandemic.[23]Broadcasting and Promotion
The main card of UFC 278 was broadcast on ESPN+ pay-per-view in the United States starting at 10 p.m. ET, while the prelims aired on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET.[24][25] Early prelims were available on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.[1] In the United Kingdom, the event aired on BT Sport 1, with prelims coverage starting at 1 a.m. BST.[26] The event generated approximately 360,000 pay-per-view buys worldwide.[27] The prelims drew a combined audience of 1.49 million viewers across ABC and ESPN in the United States.[28] Promotion for UFC 278 included a pre-fight press conference held in Salt Lake City on August 18, 2022, featuring main card fighters such as Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards.[29] Promotional trailers highlighted the Usman-Edwards rivalry to build anticipation for the rematch.[30] Sponsorships featured Crypto.com, the UFC's official cryptocurrency platform partner since 2021, which included ticket giveaways tied to the event, alongside Venum as the official fight kit outfitter.[31][32] UFC 278 was broadcast internationally to over 900 million homes across more than 170 countries, extending the promotion's global reach.[33]Fight Results
Main Card
The main card of UFC 278 commenced with a light heavyweight bout between Tyson Pedro and Harry Hunsucker. In the opening round, Hunsucker advanced aggressively with a double left hand, but Pedro countered effectively with a jab followed by a devastating body kick that folded Hunsucker at the 1:05 mark. Pedro capitalized immediately, landing follow-up punches that forced referee Mike Beltran to intervene and award Pedro the victory via TKO (body kick and punches). Pedro outlanded Hunsucker 6-2 in significant strikes, showcasing his striking precision early in the fight.[34] Next, women's bantamweights Lucie Pudilová and Wu Yanan squared off. Round one saw Pudilová secure a takedown midway through, transitioning to side control and landing ground strikes while Wu defended a potential armbar submission attempt; the fighters then moved to the clinch against the fence to close the round, with Pudilová holding a clear edge in control. In round two, Pudilová again took the back after a scramble, mounting and unleashing a barrage of 8-10 elbows that overwhelmed Wu, prompting the stoppage at 4:04. Pudilová dominated with 39 significant strikes to Wu's 26 and two successful takedowns, earning the TKO (elbows) win.[35][36] The bantamweight clash between Merab Dvalishvili and former champion José Aldo highlighted Dvalishvili's relentless wrestling pressure. In round one, Aldo controlled the striking exchanges with sharp jabs and knees from the clinch, stuffing multiple takedown attempts from Dvalishvili to take a 10-9 edge on most scorecards. Round two shifted as Dvalishvili closed the distance, landing knees to Aldo's thighs in prolonged clinch work and maintaining forward pressure despite no completed takedowns. Dvalishvili's volume carried into round three, where he continued the clinch dominance and body attacks, outlanding Aldo 57-38 in total significant strikes across the fight with zero takedowns for either man. Judges scored it 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27 for Dvalishvili's unanimous decision victory.[37][38] The co-main event pitted middleweights Paulo Costa against Luke Rockhold in a back-and-forth striking war marked by intense exchanges and visible damage. Round one opened with Costa landing heavy hooks before securing a takedown into mount, where he rained down body punches for significant control time; Rockhold scrambled up late but absorbed punishment, giving Costa a 10-9 round. In round two, Rockhold found rhythm with body kicks and counters, but Costa's pressure and additional body shots kept him ahead, landing 73 significant strikes to Rockhold's 51 overall. Round three saw Costa complete another takedown, advancing to side control and mount to grind out the final minutes as Rockhold fatigued, with two successful takedowns to Rockhold's one. Costa captured a unanimous decision (30-27 x3), later earning Fight of the Night honors for the bout's ferocity.[39][40] The welterweight title rematch headlined Kamaru Usman defending against Leon Edwards. Round one featured Edwards securing an early takedown and transitioning to Usman's back with a body triangle, hunting a rear-naked choke for over two minutes of control before Usman escaped, though Edwards took a slight 10-9 edge. Usman reversed momentum in round two, pressuring with jabs and clinch knees before landing a takedown of his own for ground control. He maintained dominance in round three with five total takedowns across the fight and superior striking volume (83-55 significant strikes), controlling the action against the fence and on the mat for 10-9 rounds. Round four continued Usman's grappling clinic, with extended clinch work and top position strikes wearing on Edwards. As the fifth round progressed with Usman ahead on scorecards, Edwards unleashed a historic left head kick at 4:04 that dropped Usman unconscious, securing the knockout victory and the UFC welterweight championship in one of the promotion's most dramatic finishes.[41][42]Preliminary Card
The preliminary card of UFC 278 featured four competitive bouts broadcast on ABC and ESPN, showcasing rising talents in the heavyweight, lightweight, featherweight, and welterweight divisions. These fights highlighted a mix of grappling dominance, striking volume, and controversial moments, setting an energetic tone ahead of the main card's title rematch.[1] Marcin Tybura vs. Alexandr Romanov (Heavyweight)In the heavyweight opener, undefeated prospect Alexandr Romanov controlled the first round with multiple takedowns and damaging knees from the clinch, overwhelming Tybura early.[43] Tybura mounted a comeback in the second, securing top position after a scramble and landing ground-and-pound strikes to shift momentum. The third round saw Tybura utilize effective kicks and combinations on the feet, while Romanov fatigued and failed to replicate his early aggression, allowing Tybura to briefly take the back late in the fight.[44] Tybura won by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28), handing Romanov his first professional loss in a gritty display of resilience.[45] Jared Gordon vs. Leonardo Santos (Lightweight)
Jared Gordon dictated the pace from the outset against veteran Leonardo Santos, using relentless forward pressure and high-volume striking to land body shots and punches in the clinch during the first round.[44] Santos attempted counters but struggled to find range, appearing fatigued as Gordon maintained his output in the second, absorbing minimal damage while pressing against the fence. In the third, Gordon sprawled on a takedown attempt and continued his striking barrage, outlanding Santos significantly overall with 203 total strikes to 41.[43] Gordon secured a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), marking a strong rebound performance.[45] Sean Woodson vs. Luis Saldana (Featherweight)
The featherweight bout unfolded chaotically when Saldana dropped Woodson twice with check hooks in the first round, but referee Marc Goddard deducted a point from Saldana for an illegal knee to a grounded opponent, preventing a potential stoppage and sparking controversy among observers.[46] Woodson recovered in the second, threatening a brabo choke from the bottom while Saldana worked top control with short strikes. The third round slowed due to fatigue, with Saldana edging exchanges via uppercuts but unable to pull away decisively. The fight ended in a split draw (29-27 Saldana, 27-29 Woodson, 28-28), leaving fans divided over the point deduction's impact on the outcome.[45] Ange Loosa vs. A.J. Fletcher (Welterweight)
Ange Loosa opened strongly in the welterweight clash, landing crisp rights and securing a takedown to control the latter half of the first round against the shorter Fletcher.[43] Fletcher surged in the second with a flurry of punches that rocked Loosa, forcing clinch work to survive, though Loosa avoided significant damage. Momentum swung back in the third as Fletcher gassed from his output, allowing Loosa to dominate with elbows from top position and ground strikes for a clear round. Loosa took the unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28), earning his first UFC win in a back-and-forth affair.[45]
Early Preliminary Card
The early preliminary card for UFC 278 featured three flyweight and bantamweight bouts streamed exclusively on UFC Fight Pass, showcasing emerging talents with a mix of quick finishes and a competitive decision. These opening fights highlighted grappling prowess, striking exchanges, and transitional work from the ground, setting the tone for the evening's action in Salt Lake City.[1] The card opened with flyweights Amir Albazi and Francisco Figueiredo, pitting the Iraqi grappler against the brother of former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Figueiredo opened with leg kicks to establish range, but Albazi, returning after a 19-month layoff, absorbed the strikes and capitalized on a caught kick to drive for a takedown. Albazi's grappling dominance shone through as he advanced to Figueiredo's back, securing hooks and transitioning to a body triangle before locking in a rear-naked choke. Figueiredo tapped at 4:34 of the first round, handing Albazi his ninth career submission win and solidifying his status as a rising contender in the division. This quick finish highlighted Albazi's suffocating top game and opportunistic transitions, while Figueiredo struggled to defend from the bottom.[45][44][43] Next, bantamweights Aori Qileng and Jay Perrin engaged in a three-round battle of pressure versus precision. Qileng, the former W.A.R.S. champion making his second UFC appearance, dictated the early pace with sharp straight rights and a flying knee that rocked Perrin, while effectively using Muay Thai clinch work to deliver knees and elbows during close-range exchanges. Perrin, a UFC newcomer from Louisiana, responded with persistent takedown attempts, securing a late first-round knockdown and controlling portions of the second with forward pressure, though Qileng's counters and takedown defenses kept him ahead. The third round saw Perrin ramp up his wrestling output, landing multiple takedowns, but Qileng's late striking flurries and overall volume edged the fight in his favor. Judges scored it unanimously 29-28 for Qileng across all cards, rewarding his striking dominance and resilience in a bout that tested both fighters' cardio.[45][44][43] The early prelims concluded with a flyweight clash between Victor Altamirano and Daniel Lacerda, both seeking to build momentum in the division. Lacerda, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist entering on a short UFC skid, started aggressively, dropping Altamirano early with a right hand and following with a spinning back fist that briefly stunned the Mexican fighter. Altamirano quickly recovered, clinching to neutralize Lacerda's momentum and landing a knee before securing a takedown. From top position, Altamirano transitioned seamlessly into mount, raining down punches and elbows that opened a cut on Lacerda and prompted referee intervention at 3:39 of the first round, earning Altamirano the TKO victory via strikes. This win marked Altamirano's first triumph inside the Octagon after a debut loss, underscoring his improved ground control and finishing ability.[45][44]Post-Event Awards
Performance Bonuses
Following the event, UFC 278 awarded its standard post-fight performance bonuses, which have been structured at $50,000 per recipient since 2019, with a total distribution of $200,000 across the categories.[47][48] The Fight of the Night bonus went to Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold for their middleweight co-main event, recognized for the high-volume striking exchanges that produced one of the night's most entertaining bouts, with Costa securing a unanimous decision victory.[48][47] Each received $50,000.[48] Performance of the Night honors were awarded to two fighters: Leon Edwards for his dramatic fifth-round head-kick knockout of Kamaru Usman in the main event, marking a stunning comeback to claim the welterweight title; and Victor Altamirano for his first-round TKO of Daniel Lacerda on the early preliminary card.[48][47] Each earned $50,000.[48] In addition, UFC introduced Crypto.com Fan Bonus of the Night awards for the event, determined by fan voting and paid in bitcoin equivalent to U.S. dollars, with $30,000 for first place, $20,000 for second, and $10,000 for third.[49] Paulo Costa received the top prize of $30,000 for his performance, followed by Kamaru Usman with $20,000 and Jose Aldo with $10,000.[50]| Bonus Category | Recipients | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Fight of the Night | Paulo Costa, Luke Rockhold | $50,000 each |
| Performance of the Night | Leon Edwards, Victor Altamirano | $50,000 each |
| Crypto.com Fan Bonus (1st) | Paulo Costa | $30,000 |
| Crypto.com Fan Bonus (2nd) | Kamaru Usman | $20,000 |
| Crypto.com Fan Bonus (3rd) | Jose Aldo | $10,000 |