The UFC is set to make its PPV debut in Utah. Beehive State will host UFC 278 on Saturday, leading the way in the main event of the championship. Welterweight champion and pound-for-pound champ Kamaru Usman is looking to break an incredible winning streak as he faces top contender Leon Edwards at his Vivint he arena in Salt Lake City.
Usman and Edwards both bring long streaks to their clash. Usman has won 19 straight titles since winning the belt in March 2019, including five title defenses. Edwards is on his ninth straight win. His most recent loss was against Usman in December 2015 when he fought the two.
Usman is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, and comes close to being included among the greatest fighters of all time. He plans to put it to the test and add to his legacy by eventually moving up to 205 pounds.
“You don’t have to put on weight,” Usman said on Media Day this week. I don’t care if it’s heavyweight or 205 they know where my strengths are but I’ll leave it at that I know what I want to do in the fight But I’ll leave that to the coach.”
Additionally, a much-anticipated match at middleweight is set on the PPV card when former champion Luke Rockhold returns to 185 pounds to face former title challenger Paulo Costa. Rockhold has not returned to the Octagon since being knocked out by Jan Blachowicz in 2019 when he was demoted one fight to light heavyweight. Rockhold has fought only four times since his 2016. That includes his stunning TKO loss to Michael Bisping, where he dropped the title by £185. Costa, meanwhile, started his career with a perfect 13-0 record, but has lost two in a row since 2020, including a TKO loss to Israel Adesanya for the title.
Not enough boxing and MMA? Get the latest in the world of combat sports from two of his best in the business. Subscribe to Morning Combat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell For the best analysis and in-depth news, including an early preview of UFC 278 below.
It will be held in Salt Lake City on August 20th. Stay tuned to this page for the latest Fight Card news and updates.
UFC 278 fight cards, odds and results
Odds by Caesars Sportsbook
- Kamaru Usman (c) -380 vs. Leon Edwards +300, Welterweight Championship
- Paulo Costa -330 vs. Luke Rockhold +260, Middleweight
- Merab Dvalishvili def. Jose Aldo (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) by unanimous decision
- Lucy Pudirois diff. Wu Yanan wins by 2nd round TKO (elbow)
- Tyson Pedro Def.Harry Hunsuck wins by his first-round TKO (punch)
- Marcin Tibura’s diff. Alexander Romanov (29-28, 28-29, 28-28) by majority vote
- Jared Gordon Def. Leonardo Santos decided unanimously (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Shawn Woodson vs. Luis Saldana dominated a split draw (29-27, 27-29, 28-28).
- Ange Russa diff. AJ Fletcher unanimous decisions (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Amir Albajidev.Francisco Figueiredo via his 1st round submission (rear naked choke)
- Aori Kirendev. Jay Perrin unanimous (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Victor Altamirano Def. Daniel da Silva wins by first round TKO (punch)
UFC 278 Information
- date: August 20th
- position: Vivant Arena — Salt Lake City
- Start time: 10 PM ET (Main Card)
- How to watch: ESPN+ PPV | price: $74.99
UFC 278 Countdown
UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 Who will win? And which fighter is the must-back? Visit SportsLine now for detailed top UFC 278 picks from insiders who have earned over $10,000 in MMA picks over the past two years Please get