UFC 278 Usman vs. Edwards 2: Leon Edwards ratings closing minute knockout to win welterweight identify

SALT LAKE CITY - Leon Edwards has greatly surprised the MMA global. With a head kick inside the very last round of a fight he became handily dropping, Edwards knocked out Usman to win the UFC welterweight identify in the foremost event of UFC 278 on Saturday night here at Vivint Arena. The finish came at four:04 of the fifth round. Usman became taken into consideration the pound-for-pound nice fighter within the global.

Edwards snapped Usman's 15-combat UFC winning streak, which turned into a UFC report. It changed into one of the maximum lovely knockouts in the history of the game.

"I can't place it into phrases," Edwards said.

Usman had been dominating the combat after the first spherical. But Usman leaned all the way down to his right to protect an Edwards left and Edwards stuck him flush with a left head kick, sending the extra than 17,000 in attendance right into a frenzy. Usman, who became out of touch, was much less than a minute far from a sixth identify protection.

Full recap from Marc Raimondi

Welterweight championship: Leon Edwards (20-three 1 NC, 12-2 1 NC UFC) def. Kamaru Usman (c) (20-2, 15-1 UFC) by fifth-spherical KO

Round-through-Round insurance:

Round 1: Edwards lands some leg kicks, then defends a takedown try. He then slips on an attack, and Usman gets him to the canvas. But Edwards receives up, and with two mins to go, he rankings a trip takedown into complete mount. Edwards ends up taking the returned and dangerous choke till the horn. 10-9, Edwards.

Round 2: Edwards gets his foot caught against the cage, and the short distraction allows Usman to swarm with punches. Even after Edwards receives away, Usman continues up the pressure, main to 2 takedowns. Edwards is beginning to look just a chunk worn down. 10-nine, Usman. (19-19)

Round three: Usman resumes his stalking. A minute in, he gets a takedown. Edwards receives proper again up, however, Usman is all over him. Edwards lands more than one photograph, but Usman again closes in, receives every other takedown, and takes returned control. Then he is on top, in full mount. Edwards appears tired, and Usman is rolling. 10-9, Usman. (29-28 Usman.)

Round four: Edwards stands on his floor, lands a few strikes, and is near a takedown. But Usman defends properly, turns the tables, and midway via the round receives a takedown of his personal. Usman is in full management, all over Edwards. There's a pause as referee Herb Dean sees Edwards snatch the cage to stand up from a takedown. Dean places them returned at the canvas, or even after Edwards receives again up, he is sagging. 10-nine, Usman. (39-37 Usman.)

Round 5: Usman maintains stalking, and Edwards isn't threatening. The challenger wishes to do something massive, and he has not anything for Usman, who is cruising. Edwards lands a couple of shots, however, one is low. Then, just as it gave the look of Edwards turned into out of it, his left excessive kick knocks out Usman.

Complete effects from UFC 278

Middleweight: Paulo Costa (14-2, 6-2 UFC) def. Luke Rockhold (sixteen-6, 6-5 UFC) through unanimous decision (Watch this fight on ESPN+)

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Paulo Costa dominates UFC 278 co-essential eventPaulo Costa handily wins his fight vs. Luke Rockhold through unanimous choice within the co-most important event of UFC 278.

Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold went into Saturday now not only as of the fine middleweights in the international but also of the middleweights in most need of a win. In the end, it changed into Costa who got it carried out.

Costa (14-2) out-lasted Rockhold (16-6) over the path of a grueling 3-round affair at UFC 278 on Saturday, gathering unanimous judges' scores of 30-27. Both middleweights looked really exhausted in the excessive altitude of Vivint Arena, in particular Rockhold, who repeatedly positioned his palms on his hips between rounds and changed into forced to respire out of his mouth because of blood pouring from his nose early on.

It became a miles-wished win for Costa, who started out his profession with 13 consecutive wins but turned into coming off back-to-back losses to Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori.

For Rockhold, a former UFC and Strikeforce champion, it seemed to be the end of the road. The 37-year-old back on Saturday from a 3-12 months layoff, and basically introduced his retirement within the Octagon after. Although he did not surely say he become done, he became extremely emotional, removed his gloves in the cage, and nodded in confirmation while UFC commentator Joe Rogan referred to the opportunity of it being his last combat.

"I can not do that s--- anymore," Rockhold stated. "I gave it my all. I'm f---ing old."

Costa, whose final win changed into in 2019 in opposition to Yoel Romero, was given off to a warm begin by using protecting Rockhold's preliminary takedown tries. He landed several tough hammerfists after stuffing one of those early attempts, which right away caused swelling on Rockhold's face and bloodied his nose. He maintained a consistent strain on Rockhold at the ft, constantly walking him to the fence and throwing combos.

By the end of the primary round, Rockhold's body language changed into horrible. He leaned heavily on the fence among the primary and 2d rounds, and again and again reduced his hands and looked for rests within the middle of the action. He actually was given a rest inside the 2d spherical when Costa landed an unintended punch below the belt. Even after the break, however, Rockhold endured breathing heavily.

According to UFC Stats, Costa landed 106 general moves to 57 for Rockhold.

Rockhold confirmed their heart and could energy in the third, while he persevered to throw risky photographs even though he become simply exhausted. At the end of the fight, he reversed the function on Costa on the ground and finished the spherical pinnacle. The fight ended with Rockhold rubbing his face on Costa, so the blood coming from his nostril smeared over the Brazilian's face.

Despite the two losses coming in, Costa remains considered a pinnacle 5 middleweight, although he has expressed a hobby in boxing in the close to future.

Men's bantamweight: Merab Dvalishvili (15-4, eight-2 UFC) def. Jose Aldo (31-8, thirteen-7 UFC) by using unanimous decision (Watch this fight on ESPN+)

Dvalishvili had landed five or greater takedowns in all however of his previous nine UFC fights. He had hit double figures in 3 of these bouts. His nickname is "The Machine," and it becomes obvious why this is.

Then he stepped in with Aldo and went zero for 16 on takedown attempts. Was it Dvalishvili's undoing? No, it become now not. The 31-year-antique from the Republic of Georgia couldn't get the Brazilian legend to the canvas, however, his relentless tries towards the cage, even though foiled one after another, produced a nonstop assault of knees to the leg that, blended with the effort had to prevent takedowns, tired Aldo and caused Dvalishvili's seventh straight victory (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).

The win streak ties Dvalishvili for the best in the bantamweight department with the champion, however, no title showdown is imminent. The champ, Aljamain Sterling, is Dvalishvili's schooling companion on Long Island, New York, and Dvalishvili has no aim of preventing him. "He is my brother," Dvalishvili stated.

He additionally paid homage to Aldo, the 35-year-vintage former featherweight champ from Brazil. Aldo received a standing ovation all through his walkout and the night's loudest applause throughout his advent. He saw a three-fight prevailing streak come to an give up. But alongside the way, he earned Dvalishvili's recognition.

"He was very technical in opposition to the cage," Dvalishvili stated. "Usually, I take down every person."

Women's bantamweight: Lucie Pudilová (14-7, three-five UFC) def. Wu Yanan (12-6, 1-five UFC) using 2nd-spherical TKO (Watch this combat on ESPN+)

Lucie Pudilova left, earned her third win within the UFC with a TKO end of Wu Yanan on Saturday. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

Pudilova was a brawler in her first cross-round with the UFC. This time, it's clear she has advanced and is way more versatile.

Using wrestling and violent ground and pound, Pudilova picked up a TKO victory at four:04 of the second round over Wu Yanan. Pudilova, who is now schooling at SBG Ireland below instruct John Kavanagh, took Wu down, was given her back, moved to mount and along the way turned into hammering down with massive punches and elbows. Referee Herb Dean had no desire however to step in and prevent the combat.

"I can not accept as true with I'm lower back within the UFC," Pudilova stated.

Pudilova also was given a takedown within the first round and had a variety of achievements on the floor. We had a few first-rate leg kicks on the feet, however, Pudilova was given an arm-and-head throw in the 2d round, was given Wu's returned, and started out firing off violent elbows from top function, main to the end. We had no solutions.

Pudilova, 28, went five-1 with the Oktagon promotion after being released via the UFC in 2020. The Czech Republic local misplaced 4 directly before being reduced, however, these were $50,000 Fight of the Night performances.

Wu, a 26-yr-vintage from China preventing out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has dropped four immediately.

Light heavyweight: Tyson Pedro (9-3, 5-3 UFC) def. Harry Hunsucker (7-6, 0-three UFC) by way of first-round TKO (Watch this combat on ESPN+)

Tyson Pedro celebrates after a fight-spherical TKO vs. Harry Hunsucker at UFC 278 on Saturday. Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

It wasn't all that long ago, that Pedro changed into taking into consideration a very promising prospect at 205 kilos. That sentiment has now returned.

Pedro, 30, misplaced a whole lot of momentum between 2017 and 2022, when accidents constrained him to simply six overall appearances, wherein he held a middling three-three record. Since returning to health this year, the Australian has recorded lower back-to-returned finishes in opposition to Ike Villanuand now Hunsucker.

The finish on Saturday came simply 65 seconds into the combat. He stuck Hunsucker with a smooth, counter left jab. Immediately after touchdown the shot, Pedro smiled, pointed at Hunsucker, and moved aggressively forward. He dropped him moments later with a front kick to the midsection and finished the combat with punches at the ground.

"I trained so toughly, it become a totally difficult camp," Pedro stated. "To get it done that short, that's what it is all about. I have not fought in front of fans for 4 years, so do me simply one choice. Let me hear some noise."

A step up in competition will probably be subsequent for Pedro, as he becomes an eight-to-1 having a bet favored over Hunsucker. He improves to 5-3 universal within the UFC. His losses got here in opposition to skilled competition in Ilir Latifi, Ovince St-Preux, and Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua.

Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura (23-7, 10-6 UFC) def. Alexandr Romanov (16-1, 5-1 UFC) by way of majority selection (Watch this combat on ESPN+)

If you watched simply the first round of this combat, you will discover it unbelievable that Romanov would go out of the Octagon not undefeated. He took down Tybura less than a minute in and mauled him on the canvas for the whole thing of the first 5 minutes, building a 28-0 gain in moves.

But Tybura survived to the horn, and when he got here out for Round 2, he took over in opposition to a Romanov who was regarded to have no strength left. As an end result, Tybura gained the second and 1/3 rounds and turned into rewarded with a majority selection, with two judges scoring the bout 29-28 in his want and the 1/3 scorecard reading 28-28 due to a ten-eight first spherical for the sixteen-1 Romanov.

Tybura, a 36-12 months-vintage from Poland, has received six of his final seven fights after persevering via a difficult first round, setting his opponent in hassle with a takedown within the second, then peppering him with punches in a slow-movement 0.33 spherical. His revel in against better-level opposition -- he's been in with former UFC champs Fabricio Werdum and Andrei Arlovski, amongst different top heavyweights -- enabled Tybura to tempo himself and stay fresh within the four, three hundred-foot altitude of Salt Lake City.

Romanov, who's 31 and from Moldova, turned into pressure in the first round but sagged after that. He'd been past the midpoint of Round three handiest 3 instances in his profession and had scored finishes in 15 of his 16 wins. This time he had not anything in reserve once his fuel tank emptied.

Lightweight: Jared Gordon (19-5, 7-4 UFC) def. Leonardo Santos (18-7-1, 7-3-1 UFC) by using unanimous choice (Watch this combat on ESPN+)

Jared Gordon, left, defeated Leonardo Santos by way of unanimous choice at UFC 278 on Saturday. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

Salt Lake City's elevation is 4,226 feet, making cardio a prime storyline at UFC 278. Gordon, manifestly understanding that, invested in running the frame -- and thereby the fuel tank -- with brilliant achievement.

Gordon completely ruled Santos in a unanimous selection (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) victory, one of the most one-sided of Gordon's career. Gordon's cardio held the entire manner and he become able to pepper Santos with mixtures in every spherical, which include clean and regular interest paid to body photographs.

Santos was bleeding from his nostril within the first round and had a reduction below his eye by the end of the first. Gordon had numerous surges of huge flurries that did the damage. Meanwhile, Santos, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, become by no means capable of getting Gordon to the ground in a dominant position. By the 1/3 round, Santos was sincerely worn-out with Gordon still pushing ahead and getting into his face.

Gordon, 33, has received four of his last five fights. The New York native, who trains out of Kill Cliff FC in Florida, is now 7-four in the UFC. Santos, a forty-two-yr-vintage combating out of Brazil's Nova Uniao camp, has dropped three immediately.

Men's featherweight: Sean Woodson (nine-1-1, three-1-1 UFC) and Luis Saldaña (16-7-1, 2-1-1 UFC) result in a cut-up draw (Watch this combat on ESPN+)

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Luis Saldana deducted a factor after an illegal knee to the head Luis Saldana celebrates after he thinks he is received the combat, however, referee Mike Beltran deducts a factor from him within the first spherical.

There's no other way to say it: Saldaña blew multiple possibilities to cash in a disillusioned victory over Woodson.

Saldaña, who fights out of Phoenix, dropped Woodson with an easily left hook halfway thru the hole spherical. Rather than observe him to the floor and search for a finish, Saldaña nonchalantly walked away and allowed Woodson to get up, and failed to aggressively pursue him even though Woodson looked very volatile.

The real mistake got here moments later, however, while Saldaña dropped him again with an instantly left. Again, Saldaña elected now not to comply with him to the floor. As Woodson sat up, Saldaña rocked him with a blatantly illegal knee to the top, which caused a pause within the motion and referee Mike Beltran docked Saldaña a point.

The relaxation of the bout becomes extraordinarily inactive, with Woodson doing only a little greater. He threatened Saldaña with a modified triangle choke in the 2nd round and labored a regular jab within the third. The end result, due in huge component to the factor deduction, was a split draw. The judges' scorecards examine 29-27 Woodson, 29-27 Saldaña, and 28-28.

Woodson, who fights out of St. Louis, is now 3-1-1 within the UFC, at the same time as Saldaña is two-1-1.

Welterweight: Ange Loosa (9-three, 1-1 UFC) def. AJ Fletcher (9-2, zero-2 UFC) by unanimous choice (Watch this combat on ESPN+)

Round 3 performed out in gradual movement, with Fletcher lying on his lower back and displaying no huge attempt to get up, and Loosa preserving pinnacle function however doing little to try to quit the fight. But the fanatics didn't start booing until there has been barely a minute left. How may want they have got after what these two combatants had added within the round proper earlier than?

Louisa had spent an awful lot of that middle spherical touchdown proper hand after right hand to the face of Fletcher, who changed into bloodied and wobbly by way of the middle of the 5 minutes. But the high output seemed to tire Loosa, and Fletcher took advantage of that late inside the round with a barrage of punches that had his opponent stumbling across the cage, with referee Mike Beltran looming nearby in case he needed to jump in.

As the lovers roared the horn sounded, both combatants had little to offer from that point on. But simply via getting the fight returned to the canvas at the beginning of the third round and preserving it there, Loosa did enough to comfy the win (29-27, 29-28, 29-28).

Loose is 28 and from Switzerland, but trains in South Florida. He gained for the primary time inside the Octagon after dropping his UFC debut in April.

Fletcher, a 25-12 months-vintage from Lafayette, Louisiana, has lost both of his UFC fights after coming to the promotion in advance this year undefeated.

Men's flyweight: Amir Albazi (15-1, three-0 UFC) def. Francisco Figueiredo (13-5-1, 2-2 UFC) by first-spherical submission (Watch this combat on ESPN+)

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Amir Albazi gets Francisco Figueiredo to faucet outAmir Albazi celebrates after his submission win vs. Francisco Figueiredo at UFC 278.

Albani is one of the pinnacle prospects to look at at a hundred twenty-five kilos and he did nothing Saturday to exchange that notion.

Using his wrestling and grappling, Albazi ruled Figueiredo en direction to a submission (rear-naked choke) win at 4:34 of the primary round. Albani landed takedowns and on the second one, he labored to Figueiredo's back slickly and locked within the choke.

"There's a group of killers at flyweight and I'm the nice of them," Albani said. Albani, 28, had no longer fought in view that January 2021, a unanimous decision victory over Zhalgas Zhumagulov. The Iraq-born England resident has gained 4 instantly, which include his first three inside the UFC.

Figueiredo, the 32-yr-antique brother of flyweight champion Deiveson fighting out of Brazil, is two-2 in the UFC.

"The king is again," Albani said.

Men's bantamweight: Aoriqileng (20-9, 2-2 UFC) def. Jay Perrin (10-6, 0-2 UFC) with the aid of unanimous choice (Watch this fight on ESPN+)

Aoriqileng knees Jay Perrin in their bantamweight combat at UFC 278. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

'The Mongolian Murderer' held off a late rally by using Perrin en path to unanimous 29-28 judges' scorecards. The combat was very competitive and the Salt Lake City crowd booed the selection, but Perrin himself regarded to accept it and applauded Aoriqileng.

Aoriqileng's counter hanging stood out early inside the fight, as he wobbled Perrin with a left hook and often caught him with photographs as he regarded to close distance. Perrin's wrestling has become an issue in the 2d and 1/3 rounds, however.

Some of the fine motion of the bout passed off inside the very last 10 seconds, whilst Perrin walked Aoriqileng returned to the fence and unloaded combinations. Afterward, Aoriqileng stated he wasn't harmed via the pictures, however, it became probably Perrin's high-quality second.

Aoriqileng is now 2-2 in the UFC, although he is 2-0 for the reason that shifting up from flyweight. Perrin, Massachusetts, falls to zero-2.

Men's flyweight: Victor Altamirano (eleven-2, 1-1 UFC) def. Daniel Da Silva (11-four, zero-3 UFC) by way of first-spherical TKO (Watch this combat on ESPN+)

Victor Altamirano celebrates his win over Daniel Da Silva at UFC 278. Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Two fighters chasing their first UFC victory wasted no time in getting after it. Both got here out swinging, and Da Silva landed the first impactful blow, a right hand that dropped Altamirano and had him in trouble in the opening minute. But Altamirano got up and kept coming ahead, and after a knee to the frame put Da Silva at the canvas, the Mexican swarmed with a barrage of elbows that completed the job at 3:39 of the primary round.

Altamirano, a 31-12 months-old from Mexico City who trains in Fort Worth, Texas, had to face up to the early assault, but once he had the fight going his way, he was relentless in winning for the 5th time in his last six bouts. He misplaced his UFC debut in February.

Da Silva, who is 26 and from Brazil, is regarded just like the sharper fighter at the start, flattening his opponent and nearly connecting with spinning assaults. But once he changed into his lower back, he made the error of attempting for submissions in place of defending towards the elbows that unfolded a reduce on his face and ended the fight. He has misplaced all three of his UFC bouts.

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UFC 278: Who's next for Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman, and Jose Aldo?

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The Salt Lake City crowd and the announcers cannot believe what they may be seeing after Kamaru Usman is knocked out cold by Leon Edwards. (2:02)

10:27 AM

Brett Okamoto

ESPN Staff Writer

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As the fifth round improved in Salt Lake City, the headlines were already being written. With one minute left in the fundamental occasion, Kamaru Usman had coasted in his identify defense against Leon Edwards.

Then came the top kick that bowled over the world.

Edwards became the new UFC welterweight champion with the knockout and sent all those watching into a frenzy. Now both Edwards and Usman have a win over the opposite, however, will a rematch come next?

In the co-predominant occasion, Paulo Costa defeated an exhausted Luke Rockhold, and earlier than that, Merab Dvalishvili denied all tries from Jose Aldo to get back on track.

So what comes next? Let's test what fights will be booked subsequent.

Leon Edwards, welterweight champion (defeated Kamaru Usman by way of fifth-spherical knockout)

Leon Edwards landed a head kick with much less than a minute to go to knock out Kamaru Usman and become the UFC welterweight champion. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Who has to be subsequent: Kamaru Usman

Edwards himself advised ESPN before the combat that he considered this as a 'beat him twice' situation. Sometimes that's just the case. If you need to dethrone a dominant champ, you need to do it twice. We've seen that play out numerous times over the history of the game, and that is one of these cases.

UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2

If the PPV is purchased, all fights from UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 might be available to watch on ESPN+.

• Kamaru Usman (c) vs. Leon Edwards 2

• Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold

• Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili

• Wu Yanan vs. Lucie Pudilová

• Tyson Pedro vs. Harry Hunsucker

• Marcin Tybura vs. Alexandr Romanov

• Leonardo Santos vs. Jared Gordon

• Sean Woodson vs. Luis Saldaña

• AJ Fletcher vs. Ange Loose

• Francisco Figueiredo vs. Amir Albazi

• Aoriqileng vs. Jay Perrin

• Daniel Da Silva vs. Victor Altamirano

Watch the complete card on ESPN+ PPV

Edwards went into UFC 278 believing it became the correct set of situations for him to turn out to be a champion. And now that it befalls, he wants to be an active champ. I should see this one getting booked faster in place of later, given that it's one of those instances wherein all of us must be on the equal web page in phrases of what is next, however on the way to additionally depend upon the approaching agenda.

Wild card: Khamzat Chimaev

Look, we've seen what a freight teach Chimaev has already changed into. He's getting opportunities different fighters do not, and I should surely see a scenario in which he finally ends up getting the following title shot.

Whether it is timing issues with putting in a trilogy between Edwards and Usman, or Chimaev genuinely doing something so excellent in his UFC 279 foremost event against Nate Diaz next month, it is possible. But I'm nonetheless pronouncing the Usman trilogy is maximum in all likelihood.

Kamaru Usman, welterweight (lost to Leon Edwards by way of 5th-round knockout)

Who ought to be next: Leon Edwards

Ultimately, Usman falls one short of tying Anderson Silva's file of sixteen consecutive wins to start a UFC profession. We're actually speaking about one of the greatest runs the UFC has ever visible, so this scenario warrants an immediate rematch.

As you may understand approximately me, I'm now not generally an 'instant rematch' type of man. I think instant rematches have to be reserved for the most apparent cases, otherwise, I just like the concept of letting things simmer and develop. But this is one of those obvious instances. The matchup among those is now tied at 1-1. Usman merits being in identify combat again, right now. This is a no-brainer.

Wild card: Winner of Belal Muhammad vs. Sean Brady at UFC 281

If the UFC decides to head any other route with its welterweight title, there honestly are not that many fights for Usman that makes sense due to the fact he is already crushed so lots of these guys (two times).

He has in no way fought Muhammad or Brady. The winner of that fight in Abu Dhabi will be in line for a large welterweight matchup. I don't think the winner of that fight gets a identify shot quite yet, though. So, this situation might make sense, but I've been given to confess, the idea of Usman fighting the sort of simply does not feel in all likelihood to me.

No disrespect to both of them, but after the entirety Usman has performed, I just do not see this state of affairs piquing his hobby.

Paulo Costa, middleweight (defeated Luke Rockhold with the aid of unanimous selection)

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Paulo Costa dominates UFC 278 co-primary eventPaulo Costa handily wins his fight vs. Luke Rockhold thru unanimous choice within the co-major occasion of UFC 278.

Who has to be subsequent: Jared Cannonier

Costa has expressed a few doubts about his destiny with the UFC. He's sad together with his touch and is interested in pursuing expert boxing. Personally, I wish he keeps his MMA career for future years. He went thru a rough patch for a remaining couple of years, however, his skills are undeniable.

As of proper now, his next circulate even inside the UFC is not obvious. It's a long way too quickly to speak approximately a rematch with Israel Adesanya. Jared Cannonier is coming off a loss, so this matchup does not make general sense. But I do not see every other one at the top of the ratings that make extra experience than this one.

Wild card: Alex Pereira

If Pereira has been too disappointed with Adesanya in their title fight in November, Costa might be looking at a title shot. Of route, Adesanya getting a direct rematch within the event of a loss might be probably, but now not guaranteed.

Saturday become a great night time for Costa. He's nonetheless popular and he's nonetheless ranked high enough to warrant a identify shot against Pereira if that situation were to play out.

Merab Dvalishvili, bantamweight (defeated Aldo by using unanimous decision)

Merab Dvalishvili maintained pressure on Jose Aldo throughout their combat at UFC 278. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

Who ought to be subsequent: Winner of Cory Sandhagen vs. Song Yadong on Sept. 17

Dvalishvili is in a weird spot, but not an awful spot. His domestic is a bantamweight, but his top friend and education partner is the champ (Aljamain Sterling) and they may be in no way going to combat -- he said as an awful lot after tonight's win. There may come a time wherein Dvalishvili has to move around in weight, however, we are not there but. He has a variety of momentum at one hundred thirty-five and undoubtedly surely his right weight magnificence.

He desires to maintain doing what he is been doing, which is win, and go that Sterling bridge when it gets there. The winner of Sandhagen-Yadong makes the total experience.

Wild card: Drop to flyweight

He's stated he is open to it. Ultimately, we would see it sooner or later. And in Dvalishvili's mind, maybe he'll determine he'd instead just move beforehand and make that flow now, acclimate himself to the burden elegance and start working at a weight he desires to win a title in. But for my part, I don't suppose you're making that circulate till you're definitely compelled to.

Jose Aldo, bantamweight (misplaced to Dvalishvili via unanimous selection)

Jose Aldo, left, misplaced to Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous choice at UFC 278 on Saturday. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Who ought to be subsequent: Dominick Cruz in Brazil

If Cruz, who lost to Marlon Vera the remaining weekend, can and desires to do it, this is the fight. Arguably the finest featherweight of all time vs. The finest bantamweight of all time. Another legend, Frankie Edgar, would really like to combat Cruz in his closing fight in November, however, I suppose I opt for this one.

One more for Aldo in Brazil, against some other legend.

Wild card: Retire

Aldo said he desired one greater crack at a championship after which win or lose, he'd retire. He informed me previous to Saturday that if he has been to lose, he'd need to sit down with his team and determine what the subsequent step might be. We'll see what happens.

If he comes to a decision the remaining intention became to retire as a champion and, now that it is long gone, there may be no purpose to hold, no one may want to fault him for it.

Tyson Pedro, mild heavyweight (defeated Harry Hunsucker by using TKO1)

Who must be subsequent: Winner of Johnny Walker vs. Ion Cutelaba on Sept. 10

Five years ago, there has been a variety of intrigue and expectation around Pedro. Unfortunately, he got here up short in some key spots -- after which injury sidelined him for three years. He's only fought two times given that getting back from injury, but the hype has quickly built again up following returned-to-returned finishes.

Walker is a bit comparable. All the athletic talent inside the global, but he's stumbled loads in latest years, compiling a 1-four record in his closing five. Cutelaba hasn't suffered via any lengthy skid, but he's additionally struggled to actually string collectively sufficient wins to put himself on the map.

Either manner, each has exciting patterns and each are main step up from what Pedro just fought in Hunsucker.

Wild card: Winner of Dominick Reyes vs. Ryan Spann on Nov. 12

These are two greater mild heavyweights who've proven a ton of capacity but aren't without their faults and losses. Reyes has almost reached the top (some felt he simply beat Jon Jones in title combat in 2020). He's suffered very hard knockout losses to Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka seeing that.

Spann has also shown flashes, however continues to be looking to prepare a defining run that would lead him to a name. The largest hassle with this one is that it is so far away. Pedro had a clean night time on Saturday, and I'd like to see him in there sooner rather than later