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UFC 278 Highlights: Leon Edwards Upsets Kamaru Usman in Comeback of the Century

MMA UFC
Ewan Ross Aug 20, 2022 8:01PM

Leon Edwards is your new UFC welterweight champ after shocking the world with an incredible 5th round comeback win over Kamaru Usman. Check out that incredible highlight, as well as the rest of the card after the jump.

Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman via KO (Head Kick) (Rd. 5 4:04)

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Kamaru Usman was less than a minute way from defending his welterweight title, before he as absolutely stunned by picture perfect head kick from Leon Edwards. I was so sure the fight was over that I had this recap pre-written by the middle of the fourth round. This truly came out of no-where and was absolutely perfect.

While Edwards came out in the first strong and took the round off the back of an excellent takedown, from there Usman controlled the middle three rounds, and looked to be fairly safely up going into the 4th. Edwards not only looked tired and defeated, but the booth had essentially written his obituary before Edwards shocked the world. Truly incredible stuff, and why we all love this sport.

Paulo Costa def. Luke Rockhold via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

In a hilarious fight, Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold engaged in an absolute slobberknocker that saw both men completely exhaust themselves by the end of the first round, and then need to continue fighting for two more rounds, at elevation. Not only were both men exhausted, but they continued to throw the most taxing strikes they could, to even further deplete themselves. The highlight was definitely Rockhold grinding the blood from his broken nose into Costa's face in the closing seconds. Truly an incredible, and ridiculous bout. Post-fight, Rockhold appeared to announce his retirement, and this was a great way to go out. Extremely entertaining.

Merab Dvalishvili def. José Aldo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

The relentless motor of Merab Dvalishvili was simply too much for José Aldo to take over three rounds, as the Georgian fighter firmly established himself in the mix at the top of the bantamweight division. While Merab never ceased hunting for the takedown, Aldo's takedown defense was a sight to behold, and tho he faded down the stretch this was hardly a poor showing from the MMA legend.

Lucie Pudilová def. Wu Yanan via TKO (Elbows) (Rd. 2 4:04)

Lucie Pudilova returned to the UFC and put an end to her four fight losing streak in the octagon by defeating Wu Yanan. Pudilova secured a few slick takedowns, and in the second round she opened up a lethal series of knees

Tyson Pedro def. Harry Hunsucker via TKO (Punches & Kicks) (Rd. 1 1:05)

In a highly uncompetitive fight, Tyson Pedro ran through Harry Hunsucker in just over a minute. Hunsucker doesn't seem UFC quality and I have no idea why he was on PPV. Pedro remains a fun figure in the sport, and its good to see him back healthy.

Marcin Tybura def. Alexander Romanov via Majority Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)

Marcin Tybura maintained his role as the premier heavyweight gatekeeper in the UFC by slamming the door shut on rising prospect Alexander Romanov. Romanov came out very strong in the first round, tossing Tybura around with mutiple high amplitude suplexes, but Tybura was able to weather the storm and take the final two rounds on the back of his superior gas tank. It has to be noted that this fight probably should've been scored a draw, and the two judges who didn't have the first round scored a 10-8 for Romanov were probably not correct.

Jared Gordon def. Leonardo Santos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Age has finally fully caught up to Leonardo Santos, as he essentially didn't show up against Jared Gordon and decisively lost a unanimous decision. Gordon came forward and pressured, especially to the body, and Santos returned very little the other way. Not a great fight.

Luis Saladaña vs. Sean Woodson Fought To A Split Draw (29-27, 28-28, 27-29)

Luis Saladaña likely cost himself a win by both showboating, and then fouling Sean Woodson in the first round after seriously hurting him twice. After Saladaña's second knockdown he followed up with a clear knee to a grounded opponent which cost him a point. The third round of this fight was an ugly slog, as the elevation of Utah began to rear its head,

Ange Loosa def. AJ Fletcher via Unanimous Decision (

In a wild fight, Ange Loosa survived a real scare in the 2nd round to get the decision win after a very exciting bout. Loosa dominated the first round and a half, before tiring himself out and almost getting finished by AJ Fletcher in the latter half of the second round. That was the last of Fletcher's energy, and he came out in the third incredibly flat and got ground out. The second round of this fight is a round of the year contender, and should be watched in full.

Amir Albazi def. Francisco Figueiredo via Submission (Read-Naked Choke) (Rd.1 4:34)

Flyweight has a very real rising contender in Amir Albazi. The British-Iraqi fighter moved to 3-0 inside the UFC with a tidy submission victory over Francisco Figueiredo.

Aoriqileng def. Jay Perrin via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

In a close back and forth fight, Aoriqileng and Jay Perrin fought a very entertaining bout, that closed off with an explosive extended exchange as Perrin was pressing for the finish he needed. Good fight.

Victor Altamirano def. Daniel Da Silva via TKO (Punches) (Rd. 1 3:39)

Incredible start to the card as Daniel Da Silva came out incredibly fast, hitting Victor Altamirano with a series of spinning attacks. However by the mid-point in the round Altamirano knocked Da Silva down and then absolutely crushed Da Silva from top position. A great 4 minutes of fighting.

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