UFC 278 Results, Edwards scores most dramatic comeback Knockout in UFC History
The Vivant Arena in Salt Lake City Utah host UFC 278. The twelve-fight card is headlined by undisputed UFC Welterweight champion Kamaru “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman defending his title against Leon “Rocky” Edwards.
The fight is a rematch nearly nine-years in the making. In 2015 in his first fight off the Ultimate Fighter Usman out wrestled Edwards for a dominate win on the scorecards. Edwards has rebound to run off nine wins in a row to earn this shot. Usman heads into his sixth title defense one win away from tying Anderson Silva for the longest unbeaten streak in UFC history.
The co-main event will see number six ranked Middleweight contender Paul Costa against former Strikeforce & UFC Middleweight champion Luke Rockhold. Also former Featherweight champion, number three ranked Bantamweight contender Jose Also faces number six ranked Merab Dvalishvili.
Recap:
Daniel Da Silva wasted no time knocking down Victor Altamirano. The former LFA champion battled to his feet. The fight turned when Altamirano stuck Da Silva with a knee to the body. Altamirano followed Da Silva to the mat hacking away with punches an elbow until the ref stepped in.
In an early front runner for Fight of the Night, Aori Qileng & Jay Perrin put on a war. Aoriqileng showing his punching power blasting right hands. Making Perrin recollect himself. The American would be undonated turning to his wrestling to keep himself in the fight. By the final minute of the third round Aoriqileng was stuck on the fence getting lit up hooks from Perrin. Off the strength of the first tow rounds Aoriqileng would take the decision win.
Amir Albazi wasted no time putting Francisco Figueiredo on his back, taking his opponents back securing a first victory by rear naked choke.
Ange Loosa dictated the first round of his fight with A.J. Fletcher behind a sneaky right cross. The second round saw a change in momentum as Fletcher nearly found the finish lighting Loosa up with a succession of Hooks. The third round saw Loosa get on top doing dame with elbows. On the meritts of the first and third round Loosa won a decision.
Luis Saldana thought he had a walk off knockout, but ref Mike Beltran didn’t step in. Saldana then flew in landing an illegal knee costing himself a point and the potential finish. Woodson ended the 2nd on his back with a buggy choke locked up. Saldana went hard for the takedown in the third landing a couple spinning backfists while Woodson continued to work his boxing. The judges scores come back giving us a draw.
Jared Gordon the game plan simple get in the pocket and blast away fight combinations, while avoiding Leandro Santos’s kicks and grappling attempts. The sharp jab and powerful hooks led to a clean sweep on the scorecards.
Alexandr Romanov had a dominate first frame putting Marcin Tybura on the mat delivering significant ground strikes to the tune of 64-1 in the first. Tybura got back in the fight in the second taking Romanov down off a kick. In the third Romanov started to slow as Tybura controlled the center of the octagon landing his combinations. The judges give a majority decision to Tybura. Only one judge giving Romanov a 10-8 int he first round.
The pay per view opener lasted 65 seconds ad Tyson Pedro knocked out and forced Harry Hunsucker to cover up after land a rifle like Teap kick. Punches on the ground finished the deal. This gives Pedro nine wins all by first round stoppage and his fourth by knockout.
Luice Pudilova put Wu Yanan on her back in both the first two rounds. In the second afer escaping a rear naked choke attempt, Yanan found herself flatten on the mat. Pudilova would rain down down vicious elbows until the ref waived off the fight. Pudilova in her second stint with the UFC secures her first win in the promotion, and third by knockout.
Merab Dvalishvili was shut down on every single one of his takedowns. Aldo worked being a jab high and low while mixing in knees to the body. Dvalishvili racked up 5 minutez of control time while tapping away with knees, which the judges felt were significant enough to win on the cards while doing very little damage. Now the Georgian fighter has won his last eight-fights.
The co-main event delivered a sloppy fun fight. Paulo Costa had Luke Rockhold on the fence unloading combinations in the first. Costa put Rockhold on his back doing damage most the round. By sheer will Rockhold would battle back in the second firing straight lefts and body kicks, while Costa fired back with body kicks and big hooks. The third round saw Rockhold connect on several big lefts but having to fight off a Costa rear naked choke attempt. The effort from Rockhold is incredibly inspiring as he barley made it to his corner each round but just kept on fighting.
In the main event the champion came out looking to implement a wrestling heavy attack. While he did get a takedown, Leon Edwards got up and off a lateral drop Edwards took top control ending the round on Usman’s back. The champ adjusted and let his strikes fly in the second pushing Edwards to fence letting go of combinations before getting poked in the eye. Usman came out aggressive in 2nd putting together combo while having Edwards against the fence and ending the round with a double leg takedown. The next three rounds would see Edwards put on his back foot by Usman jabs. The champ also ripping hooks high and low when not getting the takedown. As the victory looked to be in hand Edwards pops his jab Usman perry’s it and follows it with a left high kick landig on the chin putting Usman out cold. Leon Edwards is the new UFC Welterweight champion in one of the craziest comebacks in UFC history.
Main Card
- Welterweight Title: (New Champ) Leon Edwards (19-3) def. Kamaru Usman (20-2) by KO (left high kick) 4:04 R5
- Middleweight: Paulo Costa (14-2) def. Luke Rockhold (16-6) by (30-27 x3) unanimous decision
- Bantamweight: Merab Dvalishvili (14-4) def. Jose Aldo (31-8) by (30-27, 29-28 x2) unanimous decision
- Women’s Bantamweight: Lucie Pudilova (14-7) def. Wu Yanan (13-6) by TKO (ground strikes) 4:04 R2
- Light-Heavyweight: Tyson Pedro (9-3) def. Harry Hunsucker (7-6) by TKO (teap kick & ground strikes) 1:05 R1
Prelims
- Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura (23-7) def. Alexandr Romanov (16-1) by (28-28, 29-28 x2) majority decision
- Lightweight: Jared Gordon (19-5) def. Leonardo Santos (18-6-1) by (30-27 x3) unanimous decision
- Featherweight: Luis Saldana (16-7-1) vs. Sean Woodson (9-1-1) by (29-27, 28-28, 29-27) split draw
- Welterweight: Ange Loosa (9-3) def. A.J. Fletcher (9-2) by (29-27, 29-28 x2) unanimous decision
Early Prelims
- Flyweight: Amir Albazi (15-1) def. Francisco Figueiredo (13-5-1) by submission (rear naked choke) 4:34 R1
- Bantamweight: Aori Qileng (25-11) def. Jay Perrin (10-6) by (29-28 x3) unanimous decision
- Flyweight: Victor Altamirano (11-2) def. Daniel Da Silva (11-4) by TKO (ground strikes) 3:39 R1
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