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UFC 278
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UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2
The poster for UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateAugust 20, 2022 (2022-08-20)
VenueVivint Arena
CitySalt Lake City, Utah, United States
Attendance18,321[1]
Total gate$4,297,655[1]
Event chronology
UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa

UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on August 20, 2022, at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States.[2]

Background

[edit]

The event marked the promotion's second visit to Salt Lake City, following UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Caceres in August 2016.[3]

A UFC Welterweight Championship bout between current champion (also The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians welterweight winner) Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards headlined the event.[4] The pairing previously met at UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2 in December 2015 where Usman defeated Edwards by unanimous decision.[5]

A middleweight bout between former Strikeforce and UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold and former title challenger Paulo Costa was expected to take place at UFC 277.[6] However, the bout was postponed to this event for unknown reasons.[7]

A flyweight bout between Victor Altamirano and Jake Hadley was scheduled for this event.[8] However, after Hadley pulled out of the bout due to injury he was replaced by Daniel Lacerda.[9]

A women's flyweight bout between Miranda Maverick and Shanna Young was scheduled for the event.[10] However, the bout was cancelled on the day of the weigh-ins as Young was hospitalized due to weight cut issues.[11] They were rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 214.[12]

Results

[edit]
Main card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Welterweight Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman (c) KO (head kick) 5 4:02 [a]
Middleweight Paulo Costa def. Luke Rockhold Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili def. José Aldo Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 30–27) 3 5:00
Women's Bantamweight Lucie Pudilová def. Wu Yanan TKO (elbows) 2 4:04
Light Heavyweight Tyson Pedro def. Harry Hunsucker TKO (body kick and punches) 1 1:05
Preliminary card (ESPN / ESPN+ / ABC)
Heavyweight Marcin Tybura def. Alexander Romanov Decision (majority) (29–28, 29–28, 28–28) 3 5:00
Lightweight Jared Gordon def. Leonardo Santos Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Featherweight Sean Woodson vs. Luis Saldaña Draw (split) (29–27, 27–29, 28–28) 3 5:00 [b]
Welterweight Ange Loosa def. A.J. Fletcher Decision (unanimous) (29–27, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Early preliminary card (ESPN / ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)
Flyweight Amir Albazi def. Francisco Figueiredo Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 4:34
Bantamweight Aori Qileng def. Jay Perrin Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Flyweight Victor Altamirano def. Daniel Lacerda TKO (punches and elbows) 1 3:39
  1. ^ For the UFC Welterweight Championship.
  2. ^ Saldaña was deducted 1 point in round 1 due to an illegal knee.

[13]

Bonus awards

[edit]

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.[14]

  • Fight of the Night: Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold
  • Performance of the Night: Leon Edwards and Victor Altamirano

The following fighters received Crypto.com "Fan Bonus of the Night" awards paid in bitcoin of US$30,000 for first place, US$20,000 for second place, and US$10,000 for third place.[15]

  • First Place: Paulo Costa
  • Second Place: Kamaru Usman
  • Third Place: José Aldo

Reported payout

[edit]

The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the Utah Athletic Commission. The amounts do not include sponsor money, discretionary bonuses, viewership points or additional earnings. The total disclosed payout for the event was $2,542,000.[16]

  • Leon Edwards: $350,000 (no win bonus) def. Kamaru Usman: $500,000
  • Paulo Costa: $130,000 (includes $65,000 win bonus) def. Luke Rockhold: $200,000
  • Merab Dvalishvili: $198,000 (includes $99,000 win bonus) def. José Aldo: $400,000
  • Lucie Pudilová: $48,000 (includes $24,000 win bonus) def. Wu Yanan: $20,000
  • Tyson Pedro: $86,000 (includes $43,000 win bonus) def. Harry Hunsucker: $12,000
  • Marcin Tybura: $240,000 (includes $120,000 win bonus) def. Alexandr Romanov: $36,000
  • Jared Gordon: $94,000 (includes $47,000 win bonus) def. Leonardo Santos: $44,000
  • Sean Woodson: $24,000 vs. Luis Saldaña: $14,000
  • Ange Loosa: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. A.J. Fletcher: $10,000
  • Amir Albazi: $32,000 (includes $16,000 win bonus) def. Francisco Figueiredo: $14,000
  • Aori Qileng: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. Jay Perrin: $12,000
  • Victor Altamirano: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Daniel da Silva: $10,000

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

UFC 278

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from Grokipedia
UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 was a event produced by the (UFC) that took place on August 20, 2022, at Vivint Arena in , . The event marked the promotion's first in the state of and drew an announced attendance of 18,321 fans, generating a live gate of $4,297,655 and setting an arena record. In the main event, champion defended his title against No. 1 contender in a rematch of their 2015 bout, which had won by . captured the championship with a stunning 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. The victory earned the Performance of the Night bonus. The co-main event saw defeat former middleweight champion , who was returning after a four-year hiatus, by (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) over three rounds. Their back-and-forth striking battle was awarded Fight of the Night honors. Other notable bouts included veteran losing a to surging contender (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), extending Dvalishvili's win streak to nine, and securing a first-round of Harry Hunsucker. The event featured 12 fights in total across the main card, prelims, and early prelims, with seven decisions (including one draw), four s, and one submission.

Background

Main Event Rematch

The rematch at UFC 278 served as a title bout between champion and challenger , revisiting their initial encounter from nearly seven years prior. On December 19, 2015, at UFC on Fox: Dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2 in , 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. This victory propelled Usman toward 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. His reign featured five successful title defenses, showcasing relentless pressure wrestling and improved striking that neutralized top-division threats. 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 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 over former lightweight champion at UFC on 4 in March 2019 and a over at in June 2021, demonstrating his versatile skill set in striking and grappling. 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. Edwards countered by stressing his sharpened striking precision and enhanced 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.

Supporting Bouts

The co-main event of UFC 278 featured a clash between and , which was originally scheduled for on July 30, 2022, but rescheduled to the August 20 pay-per-view following undisclosed logistical adjustments. This matchup marked Rockhold's return to the after a four-year absence, his last bout being a submission loss to in July 2019, while Costa sought to rebound from consecutive defeats to in 2020 and Robert Whittaker in 2022. 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 and , verbally agreed upon on June 16, 2022, representing Aldo's return to the UFC after his release following a 2021 loss to . Dvalishvili, on an eight-fight win streak entering the event, aimed to solidify his contention status against the former champion, whose move to added intrigue to the matchup. In the light heavyweight division, 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 . Hunsucker, dropping from , 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 without a replacement. These shifts highlighted the fluid nature of fight preparations, particularly in the preliminary portion, where vs. proceeded as originally planned after its June announcement. The full fight card for UFC 278 was progressively built following the event's initial announcement on June 11, 2022, during the broadcast, headlined by the rematch between and . 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. This timeline reflected the promotion's efforts to assemble a stacked , 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 since July 2023) in , , 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. The arena, home to the NBA's , 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. The venue has a seating capacity of 18,306 for 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. This attendance underscored the event's strong local draw, with tickets selling out well in advance and contributing to the economic boost for the area. Operational logistics were streamlined to support the high-profile , 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. 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.

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. Early prelims were available on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. In the United Kingdom, the event aired on BT Sport 1, with prelims coverage starting at 1 a.m. BST. The event generated approximately 360,000 buys worldwide. The prelims drew a combined audience of 1.49 million viewers across ABC and ESPN in the United States. Promotion for UFC 278 included a pre-fight press conference held in on August 18, 2022, featuring main card fighters such as and . Promotional trailers highlighted the Usman-Edwards rivalry to build anticipation for the rematch. Sponsorships featured , the UFC's official cryptocurrency platform partner since , which included ticket giveaways tied to the event, alongside Venum as the official fight kit outfitter. UFC 278 was broadcast internationally to over million homes across more than countries, extending the promotion's global reach.

Fight Results

Main Card

The main card of UFC 278 commenced with a light heavyweight bout between 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. Next, women's bantamweights and Wu Yanan squared off. Round one saw Pudilová secure a takedown midway through, transitioning to 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. The clash between and former champion highlighted Dvalishvili's relentless wrestling pressure. In round one, Aldo controlled the striking exchanges with sharp jabs and knees from the clinch, stuffing multiple 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 victory. The co-main event pitted middleweights against 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 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 , advancing to and mount to grind out the final minutes as Rockhold fatigued, with two successful takedowns to Rockhold's one. Costa captured a (30-27 x3), later earning Fight of the Night honors for the bout's ferocity. The title rematch headlined defending against . Round one featured Edwards securing an early 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 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 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 victory and the UFC in one of the promotion's most dramatic finishes.

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. 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. 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. Tybura won by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28), handing Romanov his first professional loss in a gritty display of resilience. 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. 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. Gordon secured a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), marking a strong rebound performance. Sean Woodson vs. Luis Saldana ()
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 among observers. 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. Ange Loosa vs. A.J. Fletcher (Welterweight)
Ange Loosa opened strongly in the clash, landing crisp rights and securing a takedown to control the latter half of the first round against the shorter Fletcher. 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 (29-27, 29-28, 29-28), earning his first UFC win in a back-and-forth affair.

Early Preliminary Card

The early preliminary card for UFC 278 featured three flyweight and bouts streamed exclusively on , showcasing emerging talents with a mix of quick finishes and a competitive decision. These opening fights highlighted prowess, striking exchanges, and transitional work from the ground, setting the tone for the evening's action in . The card opened with flyweights and , pitting the Iraqi grappler against the brother of former UFC flyweight champion . Figueiredo opened with leg kicks to establish range, but Albazi, returning after a 19-month , absorbed the strikes and capitalized on a caught kick to drive for a . Albazi's 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. Next, bantamweights and Jay Perrin engaged in a three-round battle of 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 clinch work to deliver knees and elbows during close-range exchanges. Perrin, a UFC newcomer from , responded with persistent attempts, securing a late first-round knockdown and controlling portions of the second with forward , though Qileng's counters and 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. The early prelims concluded with a flyweight clash between Victor Altamirano and Daniel Lacerda, both seeking to build momentum in the division. Lacerda, a 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 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 after a debut loss, underscoring his improved ground control and finishing ability.

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. 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. Each received $50,000. Performance of the Night honors were awarded to two fighters: for his dramatic fifth-round head-kick knockout of in the main event, marking a stunning comeback to claim the title; and Victor Altamirano for his first-round TKO of Daniel Lacerda on the early preliminary card. Each earned $50,000. 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. received the top prize of $30,000 for his performance, followed by with $20,000 and Jose Aldo with $10,000.
Bonus CategoryRecipientsAmount (USD)
Fight of the Night, $50,000 each
Performance of the Night, Victor Altamirano$50,000 each
Crypto.com Fan Bonus (1st)$30,000
Crypto.com Fan Bonus (2nd)$20,000
Crypto.com Fan Bonus (3rd)Jose Aldo$10,000

Financial Payouts

The disclosed fighter payouts for UFC 278, based on filings from the Pete Suazo Utah Athletic Commission, totaled $2,542,000 in base salaries and win bonuses across the 24 participants. Top earners included Kamaru Usman with a $500,000 base salary for the main event despite his loss, José Aldo with $400,000 for his bantamweight matchup, and Leon Edwards with $350,000 (including win bonus) for capturing the welterweight title. Co-main event fighters Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold earned $130,000 ($65,000 base + $65,000 win bonus) and $200,000 base salary, respectively. Other notable payouts went to ($198,000, including $99,000 win bonus) for defeating Aldo and ($48,000, including $24,000 win bonus) for her preliminary card win, while lower-card fighters generally received $10,000 to $20,000 in show money. These figures exclude performance bonuses, which added $200,000 across four recipients. The event produced $4,297,655 in live gate revenue from an attendance of 18,321, establishing a Vivint Arena record, though revenue shares for fighters were not disclosed.

Aftermath and Legacy

Immediate Reactions

Following ' stunning fifth-round knockout victory over at UFC 278, Edwards celebrated by leading the crowd in a of "Head shot, dead!" during his in-Octagon , encapsulating the dramatic finish with his left . In the emotional post-fight , Edwards reflected on overcoming significant odds, stating, "Headshot. Bang! Done. A long, long four years. You're doubting me. So I couldn't do it. The odds that I couldn't do it. Look at me now," highlighting his resilience after being dominated early in the fight and entering as a +220 . Backstage, Edwards broke down in tears while calling his mother to share the moment, underscoring the personal significance of claiming the title after a decade in the UFC. Kamaru Usman was transported to a local immediately after the for precautionary evaluation, where he described experiencing significant disorientation, including a "20-minute nap" and memory gaps from the impact. Despite the setback, Usman later expressed respect for Edwards in interviews, noting he was "already good" upon arrival at the but felt the effects of the strike lingered, laughing hysterically as he processed the loss. At the post-fight , UFC President hailed Edwards' knockout as one of the greatest in UFC history, calling it a "holy sh*t moment" and praising its shocking nature against the dominant champion. White also addressed rematch possibilities, indicating a trilogy bout between Edwards and Usman was under consideration given the dramatic circumstances, while emphasizing the event's overall success. The knockout quickly went viral on , with clips of the head kick amassing millions of views and drawing widespread reactions from fans, fighters, and commentators, including broadcaster Joe Rogan's exclamations of disbelief that became instant memes. Fans also praised the electric atmosphere in , where the event drew an announced attendance of 18,321 at Vivint Arena, marking the UFC's first in and earning White's commendation for the crowd's energy as comparable to top venues worldwide.

Career Impacts

Leon Edwards' stunning knockout victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 marked the beginning of his tenure as UFC welterweight champion, which lasted nearly two years and included successful defenses against top contenders. Edwards first retained the title in their trilogy bout at UFC 286 in March 2023, winning a unanimous decision after five rounds to solidify his status as champion. He followed this with another unanimous decision win over Colby Covington at UFC 296 in December 2023, extending his reign and maintaining an undefeated record in title fights at that point. However, Edwards lost the belt to Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision at UFC 304 in July 2024, ending his championship run; he suffered a subsequent submission loss to Sean Brady via guillotine choke in the fourth round on March 22, 2025, at UFC Fight Night in London, but rebounded with a second-round knockout of Carlos Prates on November 15, 2025, positioning him back toward title contention. For , the fifth-round knockout loss to Edwards at UFC 278 initiated a three-fight losing skid, with subsequent losses to Edwards at in March 2023 and a majority decision defeat to at in October 2023. Usman broke the skid with a win over on June 14, 2025, at UFC Fight Night, marking his return after over 20 months of inactivity. The event also influenced several other fighters' paths, accelerating retirements and title pursuits in their divisions. Luke Rockhold, returning from a prior retirement, was defeated by unanimous decision by Paulo Costa in the co-main event and announced his immediate retirement from MMA afterward, citing accumulated damage and a desire to step away at age 37. Merab Dvalishvili's unanimous decision win over José Aldo propelled his win streak to eight consecutive victories, positioning him as the top contender in bantamweight and culminating in his capture of the title against Sean O'Malley at UFC 306 in September 2024, followed by successful defenses against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025, and Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 on October 5, 2025. Paulo Costa's victory over Rockhold restored his momentum after two prior losses, leading to high-profile matchups including a loss to Robert Whittaker at in July 2023 and a split decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 302 in June 2024, before rebounding with a unanimous decision win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318 on July 19, 2025. UFC 278's legacy extends beyond individual careers, with Edwards' head-kick —occurring at 4:04 of the fifth round—entering UFC records as one of the latest finishes in a and widely regarded as among the most dramatic upsets in history. The event also elevated City's profile as a UFC destination, drawing over 18,000 fans and paving the way for subsequent pay-per-views like UFC 291 in 2023 and UFC 307 in 2024, with another numbered event planned for 2026.

References

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  20. https://www.musewiki.org/Salt_Lake_City_Vivint_Arena
  21. https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/ufc-278-official-live-weigh-in-results-and-video
  22. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-kamaru-usman-leon-edwards-luke-rockhold-paulo-costa-weigh-in-results-live-video-stream
  23. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/01/ufc-news-covid-19-testing-protocols-2022
  24. https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/08/ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2-saturday-august-20-exclusively-on-espn-ppv/
  25. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/34397029/everything-need-know-ufc-278-kamaru-usman-vs-leon-edwards-2-how-watch-stream-plus-predictions-breakdowns
  26. https://www.techradar.com/news/ufc-278-live-stream-how-to-watch-usman-vs-edwards-2-online
  27. https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-fans-react-report-underwhelming-ppv-sales-ufc-278-ufc-276
  28. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2022/08/25/Media/Audience/
  29. https://www.mmamania.com/2022/8/18/23311853/ufc-278-press-conference-video-live-media-stream-usman-vs-edwards-2-rockhold-costa-salt-lake-city
  30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFRuPtb_W6I
  31. https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-and-cryptocom-announce-historic-partnership
  32. https://crypto.com/en/product-news/ufc278-giveaway
  33. https://s202.q4cdn.com/437702206/files/doc_financials/2023/ar/TKO-Annual-Report-2023.pdf
  34. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/5abcf9f282983acc
  35. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/2cd9e3796be57a79
  36. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/gallery/lucie-pudilova-vs-wu-yanan-ufc-278-salt-lake-city-best-photos-gallery-mma
  37. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/2ac3ce1f62b3c4b9
  38. https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/20/23314818/ufc-278-results-merab-dvalishvili-outworks-jose-aldo-win-decision-never-fight-aljamain-sterling
  39. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/2de6652160cc7b9f
  40. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2022/08/21/ufc-278-results-luke-rockhold-vs-paulo-costa-retires-war-blood/81157115007/
  41. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/f70c817388602681
  42. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-results-kamaru-usman-vs-leon-edwards-knockout-head-kick
  43. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2022/08/20/ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2-play-by-play-live-results/81161575007/
  44. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-278-Usman-vs-Edwards-2-PlaybyPlay-Results-Round-Scoring-187761
  45. https://www.ufc.com/news/official-scorecards-ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2-salt-lake-city
  46. https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/20/23314704/dumbest-fighter-ive-ever-seen-fighters-react-to-bizarre-split-draw-at-ufc-278
  47. https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-bonus-coverage-2022-performance-fight-of-the-night
  48. https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/21/23314904/ufc-278-post-fight-bonuses-leon-edwards-earns-50000-bonus-for-incredible-knockout-of-kamaru-usman
  49. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/33689220/ufc-implement-fan-voted-bonuses-paid-bitcoin
  50. https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-fans-enraged-ufc-leon-edwards-misses-30k-crypto-com-bonus
  51. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2022/09/07/ufc-278-salaries-kamaru-usman-jose-aldo-leon-edwards-fighter-pay/81133088007/
  52. https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/9/7/23339924/ufc-278-salaries-kamaru-usman-500k-takes-home-top-disclosed-payday-in-knockout-loss
  53. https://bloodyelbow.com/2022/09/07/ufc-278-salaries-jose-aldo-kamaru-usman-guaranteed-more-leon-edwards-title-win-payouts-news/
  54. https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/21/23314775/ufc-278-in-tweets-fighters-react-to-leon-edwards-late-head-kick-knockout-against-kamaru-usman
  55. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/34432075/ufc-278-look-now-our-attention-leon-edwards
  56. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ufc/article-11131311/I-told-mum-told-Leon-Edwards-overcome-emotion-Kamaru-Usman-KO.html
  57. https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/9/4/23336848/kamaru-usman-describes-disorienting-aftermath-of-ufc-278-knockout-loss-leon-gave-me-a-20-minute-nap
  58. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/mma/article-11182285/Kamaru-Usman-details-immediate-aftermath-UFC-278-KO-defeat-Leon-Edwards.html
  59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7DOv8pWC1g
  60. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VeMSO28AzQ
  61. https://www.newsweek.com/joe-rogan-goes-viral-after-edwards-perfect-head-kick-ufc-278-knockout-1735447
  62. https://apnews.com/article/sports-salt-lake-city-23215abf488def9d3b4719923794f56e
  63. https://www.ufc.com/news/leon-edwards-career-highlights
  64. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3152929/leon-edwards
  65. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/14943465/all-ufc-welterweight-champions
  66. https://www.ufc.com/athlete/leon-edwards
  67. http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/f1b2aa7853d1ed6e
  68. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3088812/kamaru-usman
  69. https://www.ufc.com/athlete/kamaru-usman
  70. https://www.ufc.com/video/luke-rockhold-octagon-interview-ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2
  71. https://www.ufc.com/athlete/merab-dvalishvili
  72. https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Merab-Dvalishvili-157355
  73. http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/2e5c2aa8e4ab9d82
  74. https://www.[espn.com](/page/ESPN.com)/mma/story/_/id/34418713/ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2-live-results-analysis
  75. https://www.ufc.com/news/last-time-salt-lake-city-ufc-30th-anniversary-edwards-costa-aldo
  76. https://corporate.wwe.com/about/news/2025/08-26-2025
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