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UFC 278 comes to you live from the Vivant Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, August 20. The event will features 13 total bouts that will be getting started at 6 p.m. ET with the early preliminary card on UFC Fight Pass. The main event is a battle for the welterweight title between defending champion Kamaru Usman and No. 2 contender Leon Edwards.
Usman (20-1) is making the sixth defense of his title. He has made successful title defenses against Colby Covington (2), Jorge Masvidal (2) and Gilbert Burns. Usman is widely considered the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. Edwards (19-3) has not lost a fight in nearly seven years, but that loss was to Usman, by decision on December 19, 2015. He has recent wins over Nate Diaz and former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.
We will update this article with the results and relevant video once the fight ends.
Moneyline (via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Method of victory
Usman to win by KO/TKO/DQ: +240
Usman to win by submission: +1200
Usman to win by decision: -110
Draw: +5000
Edwards to win by KO/TKO/DQ: +500
Edwards to win by submission: +2500
Edwards to win by decision: +700
Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards round-by-round results
Round 1: 10-9 Edwards
Kamaru Usman is the victim of a takedown for the first time in his career, and Edwards is able to score on the mat. A close round, but for sure to the challenger.
Round 2: 10-9 Usman
Better from the champion, who added a pair of takedowns and plenty of offense on the mat. Edwards did well to not get in more trouble, but the momentum and control seemed to shift back to Usman. He leads in both fight control and strikes after a big period.
Round 3: 10-9 Usman
Another classic Usman round, where he dominates even if he’s not doing much to scare his opponent. Plenty of wrestling up against the side of the cage, and four takedowns in eight total attempts. He leads 6:26-2:01 in fight control, and Edwards needs to find a way to score. That should most likely be on his feet if he’s to have a chance.
Round 4: 10-9 Usman
It may not be pretty, but it’s certainly effective. Usman gets taken to the mat once, but gets back to his feet with enough position where Edwards lets him go. Then Usman puts his opponent back on the canvas again, while smothering and wearing him down with great offense. A huge flurry from the champion on his feet to finish the round.
Round 5: Leon Edwards wins by TKO (kick) at 4:03 of the fifth round
FROM OUT OF NOWHERE! LEON EDWARDS IS THE NEW UFC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION!
He needed the knockout for sure, as Usman was 57 seconds from retaining the belt with eas by the judges. An incredible turn of events, and Edwards (20-3) keeps his seven-year unbeaten streak in tact.
KO Edwards #ufc278 pic.twitter.com/IUhen7rxYl
— P-DRO (@P_DRO520) August 21, 2022
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