: Leon Edwards was significantly behind on the scorecards and facing a certain decision loss after being dominated for much of the fight.
The event took place on August 20, 2022, at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Weight Class Method (Round/Time) Leon Edwards Kamaru Usman KO (Head Kick) - R5, 4:04 Middleweight Paulo Costa Luke Rockhold Decision (Unanimous) - R3, 5:00 Bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili José Aldo Decision (Unanimous) - R3, 5:00 Women's Bantamweight Lucie Pudilova TKO (Elbows) - R2, 4:04 Light Heavyweight Tyson Pedro Harry Hunsucker TKO (Strikes) - R1, 1:05 Key Highlights & Recaps UFC 278
: With just 56 seconds remaining in the final round, Edwards landed a "picture-perfect" left high kick that knocked Usman out cold. : Leon Edwards was significantly behind on the
Leon Edwards became the new UFC welterweight champion at UFC 278 by knocking out Kamaru Usman with a stunning head kick at 4:04 of the fifth round. Leon Edwards became the new UFC welterweight champion
: In a grueling, bloody co-main event, Paulo Costa defeated former champion Luke Rockhold. Rockhold, appearing visibly exhausted by the high altitude, announced his retirement shortly after the fight.
: This victory snapped Usman’s 15-fight UFC winning streak and made Edwards the first Jamaican-born champion in UFC history. UFC 278 Main Card Results
: Merab Dvalishvili used relentless pressure and clinch work to secure a victory over the legendary José Aldo, effectively ending Aldo's final title run.