By Josh Lynnes
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The Welterweight championship is on the line in the Beehive State. Champion and Pound-for-pound king Kamaru Usman looks to defend his belt in a rematch nearly 7 years in the making as he faces British phenom Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 278 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City Saturday night. The first time the two fighters met Usman earned the decision victory in his first fight since winning The Ultimate Fighter 21. Usman went on to win seven straight fights before taking the belt from Tyrone Woodley in 2019. Usman has since defended the title 5 times. Edwards has gone undefeated in nine fights since the loss to in 2015 setting up the rematch.
The co-main event has been dubbed the fight for the “BLF” or “Best Looking Fighter” title as #6 middleweight Paulo Costa welcomes Luke Rockhold back to the octagon.
UFC Legend and #3 bantamweight José Aldo looks to stake his claim as the next in line for a title shot as he battles #6 Merab Dvalishvili.
Wu Yanan welcomes Lucie Pudilová back to the UFC roster now at bantamweight.
Opening the main card is a barnburner at light heavyweight as bangers Tyson Pedro and Harry Hunsucker throw down in the cage.
Fighting on the prelims on area heavyweight tilt between #11 Marcin Tybura and Alexandr Romanov. Jared Gordon faces Leonardo Santos at lightweight as both fighters look to get back into the win column. Sean Woodson faces Luis Saldana at featherweight. Welterweights Ange Loosa and AJ Fletcher battle in get things on track.
Early prelims include:
Flyweight – #11 Amir Albazi vs. Francisco Figueiredo
Bantamweight – Aoriqileng vs. Jay Perrin
Flyweight – Daniel Da Silva vs. Victor Altamirano
Early prelims start at 5:30PM CDT on UFC Fight Pass and ESPN+. Action then shifts to ABC/ESPN/ESPN+ at 7:00PM followed by the pay-per-view main card at 9:00PM on ESPN+ PPV.
