Here’s everything that happened at UFC 278 last night

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Final night time (Sat., Aug. 20, 2022), Final Preventing Championship (UFC) ventured to Vivint Enviornment in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah for UFC 278. In the principle occasion, a rematch between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards would resolve the way forward for 170-pound gold. Earlier than these males threw down, the title footage at Middleweight and Bantamweight have been affected by the pivotal bookings of Luke Rockhold vs. Paulo Costa and Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili. Glorious match ups, recognizable names, and divisional implications — what extra is there to ask for?

Let’s check out the perfect performances and strategies:

Stress And Tempo And Madness

For about 24 minutes, Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2 wasn’t terribly completely different from the primary struggle within the grand scheme of issues.

Approach again within the first struggle, Edwards defended takedowns effectively for a spherical. Then, the stress and physicality of “The Nigerian Nightmare” bought to him, and the takedowns grew simpler and simpler. By the top of the struggle, Edwards was worn, having a depressing time in backside place.

The sample was repeating within the second bout. Edwards’ takedown within the first spherical was superior, and he confirmed some slick scrambling on the mat early total. Total, nevertheless, Usman confirmed his championship resolve by utterly ignoring that sturdy begin and powering proper by to get his recreation plan going.

Edwards simply doesn’t wish to struggle within the pocket. Each time Usman pushed ahead, Edwards would concede floor, and it put him in dangerous positions to wrestle. Frequently making an attempt to work out of dangerous positions is exhausting, particularly when coping with a expertise like Usman. The champion took over like he often does, wanting nearly as good as ever.

Then, all of a sudden, Leon Edwards’ good left excessive kick was expertly arrange behind a similar aspect cross. It wrapped across the champion’s cranium and despatched him to the canvas, utterly unconscious.

Regardless of appearances, Edwards didn’t surrender, and now he’s a champion.

Rockhold Takes A Brave Stand

At 37 years of age, Luke Rockhold actually had no enterprise being within the cage with Paulo Costa final night time.

Rockhold’s physique is worn down. Rockhold clearly confirmed up in unimaginable form and completely put appreciable work into this coaching camp and weight lower, however he was nonetheless drained in just some minutes. That’s the results of a physique that’s merely drained, particularly when in comparison with a prime contender in his prime in “Borrachinha.” Rockhold’s left kick is likely one of the nastiest weapons in Middleweight historical past, and now he has to cowl it with a wrap as a consequence of accidents. Can the symbolism be extra becoming?

None of that stopped Rockhold from making an attempt. Instantly, he dove into the fray and caught Costa with a tough shot. When the Brazilian fired again, Rockhold tried to wrestle and wound up on his again. By the point Rockhold returned to his toes, the fuel tank was empty.

That didn’t cease Rockhold both. There was an excellent second within the second the place he let a collection of left kicks fly into Costa’s mid-section. They didn’t sit him down, however Costa didn’t prefer it one bit! Even higher, Rockhold muttering “F—ok you” instantly earlier than cracking Costa with an overhand was perfection. The ex-champion rubbing his battered, bloody face into Costa’s eyes within the closing seconds of the struggle? Nicely, that was the cherry on prime!

By all rights, considered one of Costa’s haymakers or physique photographs ought to have shut Rockhold down. As an alternative, he managed to point out off his simple preventing spirit, a trait that carried him to Strikeforce and UFC gold alike. Although these days are handed, Rockhold nonetheless bought to intestine it out one final time.

Badass.

The Machine Slowly Advances

Merab Dvalishvili isn’t going to get a title shot off that victory, however defeating Jose Aldo in any trend stays a exceptional accomplishment. As for Aldo, it’s a disappointing finish to what’s possible his ultimate shot at a title run, and I wrote extra on that right HERE!

Pudilova Dominates Yanan

I don’t understand how this struggle ended up on the principle card, however Pudilova a minimum of made it enjoyable by placing an absolute beating on Yanan.

On the toes, Pudilova appeared a contact sooner, however her benefit on the canvas was unexpectedly large. She chased that edge shortly, and refreshingly, she was actually aggressive from prime place. Pudilova took the again twice and threatened the choke, however when Yanan gave up mount as an alternative, Pudilova deserted the submission recreation. As an alternative, she launched an enormous flurry of elbows that very successfully pressured the referee’s hand!

Alex Romanov Is Not That Man

All of us need new Heavyweight prospects, so it’s simple to get excited when a brand new face reveals some potential. When Romanov debuted by throwing everybody by the air and ending them shortly, who didn’t get excited?

There was a warning signal, nevertheless. Juan Espino saved up along with his wrestling, and as soon as Romanov drained a bit, he regarded way more common. Since he received that call and adopted up with a greater victory, the MMA world willingly ignored the aforementioned pink flag.

Marcin Tybura revealed these flaws but once more and had the expertise to really profit from them. After getting tossed for a spherical, the tide started to shift in Tybura’s favor. His entrance snap kick frequently dig into Romanov’s stomach, sapping the large man’s conditioning additional. Immediately, it was Tybura touchdown the higher photographs and really profitable the wrestling exchanges.

Credit score to Tybura: it’s not simple to carry out effectively after getting smothered for 5 minutes. As for Romanov, there’s nonetheless potential, however he’s reached his ceiling till he can refine his kickboxing kind, enhance his cardio, or ideally — each!

Extra Ideas

Tyson Pedro defeats Harry Hunsucker through first-round knockout: Pedro did what he was speculated to do. He entered as a 7-1 favourite and regarded the half, beautiful Hunsucker with a clear jab just about proper off the bat. Then, he did a pleasant job of lining up a fight-finishing snap kick to the mid-section straight away to lock down the early end. I don’t need to make an excessive amount of of this, as a result of it was utterly anticipated, however Pedro did his job in there — and that’s all he can do!
Amir Albazi defeats Francisco Figueiredo through first-round rear bare choke: Albazi may be very a lot proving himself an missed contender at 125 lbs. Figueiredo gave him some attractiveness, establishing a robust left kick and exhibiting off some improved defensive wrestler. Albazi’s means to repeatedly chain takedowns from inside the clinch proved overwhelming, and he did nice work from prime place. His first takedown resulted in some majorly heavy floor strikes, whereas the second noticed him instantly take the again and rating the strangle. Nice efficiency!
Victor Altamirano defeats Daniel Da Silva through first-round knockout: Da Silva began this one with a bang! The Brazilian dropped Altamarino with an enormous proper hand and landed some critical observe up photographs, leaving his opponent pretty surprised. Whereas nonetheless damage, Altamarino answered again with a nasty liver shot, sending Da Silva to the canvas! When Altamarino gained prime place, he actually poured it on, standing over his opponent and dropping photographs till Da Silva wilted beneath the onslaught.