UFC 278

Results As They Happen, Winner Interviews And More From UFC 278: Usman vs Edwards 2, Live From Vivint Arena In Salt Lake City, Utah.

[UFC 278: Usman vs Edwards 2](/event/ufc-278), Live From The Vivint Arena In Salt Lake City, Utah. [Watch on ESPN+](https://plus.espn.com/ufc/ppv?ex_cid=DSS-OFF-UFC-INARTICLE-EN) [Official Scorecards](https://www.ufc.com/news/official-scorecards-ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2-salt-lake-city) 6 [Merab Dvalishvili](https://www.ufc.com/athlete/merab-dvalishvili)(14-4, fighting out of Long Island, N.Y. After losing his first two UFC appearances while fighting at flyweight, Aoriqileng has earned back-to-back wins since shifting to the 135-pound weight class. [Perrin](/athlete/jay-perrin) with long, clean strikes in the first that sat the Lowell, Massachusetts native in a chair a couple different times, showcasing the power he carries now that he’s fighting at bantamweight. When the tens and nines were tallied, Aoriqileng emerged victorious, securing his second consecutive UFC victory. After giving a good account of himself on short notice against Mounir Lazzez in his promotional debut, Loosa collects his first UFC victory, pushing his record to 9-3 with the win. The former Contender Series competitor found his range and rhythm mid-way through the opening round, busting up AJ Fletcher with a series of clean right hands to take the first round. It took a while to get the scorecards and when the totals were read aloud, it was 29-27 either way with a 28-28 on the third, resulting in the bout being declared a split draw. 2 ranked contender [Leon Edwards](https://www.ufc.com/athlete/leon-edwards). Gordon patiently worked his way inside the length of Santos in the second half of the opening stanza, landing well to both the head and body to chip away at the Brazilian’s gas tank and put some money in the bank.

See the top Twitter reactions to Paulo Costa's victory against Luke Rockhold in the UFC 278 co-main event.

[https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561203004933652480](https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561203004933652480) [https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561202519421894656](https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561202519421894656) [https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561201121800118272](https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561201121800118272) [https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561200367924396032](https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561200367924396032) [https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561199432330317830](https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561199432330317830) [https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561199155892068352](https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561199155892068352) [https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561198287394324480](https://twitter.com/chrisweidman/status/1561198287394324480) [https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561198186521305088](https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561198186521305088) [https://twitter.com/TeddyAtlasReal/status/1561198022360305665](https://twitter.com/TeddyAtlasReal/status/1561198022360305665) [https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561196717458034690](https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561196717458034690) [https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561195751190978563](https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1561195751190978563) [https://twitter.com/MMAJunkie/status/1561195732987654145](https://twitter.com/MMAJunkie/status/1561195732987654145)

Follow the UFC 278 live blog for Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold, the middleweight co-main event fight in Salt Lake City on Saturday.

[Luke Rockhold](https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/98/luke-rockhold), the middleweight co-main event fight in Salt Lake City on Saturday. A three-year absence ensued, in part due to repeated injuries, but now Rockhold says he’s back to peak form and ready to make another run at the title. That wasn’t an issue this time for Costa though, as he looks absolutely shredded and ready to return to the win column.

Visibly exhausted following a wild opening round, former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold used every drop of blood and sweat to make it to the finish ...

"He created a lot of shots on the face and the chin. Rockhold even drew cheers from the crowd in the final minute by rubbing his bloody face against Costa's head. "This energy came through from this audience and it was amazing," Costa said. The third round was as insane as any in recent memory. Instead, Rockhold began loading up on every single shot and slowly timed Costa with counter left hooks and spinning kicks to the body. Surprisingly, Costa shot for a timely takedown that saw him move to mount.

Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold delivered a wild, wild West-style bar brawl in the co-main event of UFC 278.

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'Rocky' shocked the world with a head-kick knockout in the waning moments of the fight to earn the welterweight crown.

Jose Aldo](https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/ufc-278-results-highlights-merab-dvalishvili-outpoints-jose-aldo-for-critical-bantamweight-win/)via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Luke Rockhold](https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/ufc-278-results-highlights-paulo-costa-tops-luke-rockhold-as-former-champion-smears-blood-before-retiring/)via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) [Merab Dvalishvili def. Edwards improved to 20-3 (1 NC) with the win over Usman. "I thought that Usman fought the perfect fight," White said. White suggested Wembley Arena as a venue and expressed his desire to see the rubber match in England. "But we bounce back and come with vengeance!" Usman took over the fight with his superior wrestling and slung heavy boxing combinations and seemed on his way to yet another title defense as he neared Anderson Silva's record for most all time. Kamaru Usman via KO, Round 5 I told you, now look at me now." Leon Edwards just shocked the world. "I said all week I felt like this is my moment. Kamaru Usman vs.

R5. The fight doesnt change pace, Usman is still on the plan to finish his opponent, but Edwards makes the task difficult. The champion has Edwards on.

And last but not least, former featherweight champion and all-time great, Jose Aldo also gets in on the action at roosterweight! A low blow to Rockhold stopped the actions for a moment and the two fighters had a chance to catch their breath. Rockhold took a blunt blow to the nose, it started to bleed and looked like it was broken. Rockhold tried to throw Costa, but the Brazilian defended himself, then tried to submit him, but could not. Usman and Edwards start slow, the two fighters measure each other. Costa again went forward, but Rockhold met him with a right hand that sent the Brazilian to the back. UFC returns to Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the first time in more than five years, headlined by a blockbuster welterweight championship bout that will see Kamaru Usman relaunch with No. The challenger tries to defend himself. In the co-main event, #4 middleweight contender Paolo Costavise will spoil the comeback of former 185-pound champion Luke Rockhold. [UFC 278](https://www.marca.com/en/ufc/2022/08/19/62ffbb4eca47411c268b4577.html) in Salt Lake City, Utah,Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards will meet for the second time, this time the American will look to beat him for the first time and give a blow of authority in the welterweight category. Edwards tries to take his opponent to the floor, but the champion reacts well, gains the position and punishes Edwards with elbows. Edwards tries to take the fight to the ground, but Usman's defense is very good and he manages to escape.

At UFC 278, Leon Edwards was one minute away from losing to Kamaru Usman – until a thunderous head kick turned the MMA world upside down.

Jay Perrin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)](//mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-278-kamaru-usman-leon-edwards-luke-rockhold-paulo-costa-play-by-play-live-results”) [Victor Altamirano def. Fletcher via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)](//mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-278-kamaru-usman-leon-edwards-luke-rockhold-paulo-costa-play-by-play-live-results”) [Amir Albazi def. Alexandr Romanov via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)](//mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-278-kamaru-usman-leon-edwards-luke-rockhold-paulo-costa-play-by-play-live-results”) [Jared Gordon def. Leonardo Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)](//mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-278-kamaru-usman-leon-edwards-luke-rockhold-paulo-costa-play-by-play-live-results”) [Luis Saldana vs. Daniel Da Silva via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:39](//mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-salt-lake-city-video-victor-altamirano-elbows-knockout-blood-splatter-daniel-da-silva-comeback”) Jose Aldo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)](//mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-results-merab-dvalishvili-vs-jose-aldo-utah-crowd-aljamain-sterling”) [Lucie Pudilova def. Luke Rockhold via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)](//mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-results-luke-rockhold-vs-paulo-costa-retires-war-blood”) [Merab Dvalishvili def. Francisco Figueiredo via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:34](//mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-video-amir-albazi-taps-francisco-figueiredo-brother-champ-deiveson”) [Aori Qileng def. Sean Woodson declared split draw (29-27, 27-29, 28-28)](//mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-278-kamaru-usman-leon-edwards-luke-rockhold-paulo-costa-play-by-play-live-results”) [Ange Loosa def. Wu Yanan via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:04](//mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-278-kamaru-usman-leon-edwards-luke-rockhold-paulo-costa-play-by-play-live-results”) [Tyson Pedro def. Harry Hunsucker via TKO (front kick, punches) – Round 1, 1:05](//mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-results-tyson-pedro-knockout-tko-harry-hunsucker-65-seconds”) [Marcin Tybura def. Edwards looked noticeably frustrated at times, but ultimately scored the result he wanted in all-time fashion.

Leon Edwards claimed the UFC welterweight championship title after earning a TKO win over the defending champion Kamaru Usman at the UFC 278 PPV on ...

[#UFC278] [pic.twitter.com/TMfM6jQt2G] [August 21, 2022] [#UFC278] [pic.twitter.com/JmkaN6G8FN] [August 21, 2022] Huge congrats @ParadigmSports and Leon Edwards! Conor McGregor took to his social media handle and said, “Just like that baby, what a game! The reigning UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou took to his official Twitter handle and said, “As sad as I am, I can’t not be happy for Leon Edwards from where he came from to make it here and what he been through. [#UFC278] [pic.twitter.com/7lq4X9KjVw] [August 21, 2022]

Salt Lake City (USA), August 21: Leon Edwards was on Saturday (August 20) crowned the UFC Welterweight champion after stunning head-kick KO of Kamaru Usman ...

Look at me now! Look at me now!" In the early preliminary card, a couple of flyweight bouts ended in stoppage as Victor Altamirano opened UFC 278 with a first round KO of Daniel Lacerda, while Amir Albazi choked out Francisco Figueiredo for a submission win. The preliminary card saw Marcin Tybura, Jared Gordon and Ange Loosa earn decision wins in their respective bouts against Alexander Romanov, Leonardo Santos and A.J. He surprised me with a lot of good shots. After the come-from-behind victory, new champion Edwards said, "I can't put it in words.

'Rocky' scored a fifth-round TKO to win the division belt in Saturday's rematch against Usman.

The fight ended in a TKO, finishing in just 64 seconds. She was outclassed by Pudilová (14–7), a grappling-heavy performance that was never in doubt. Edwards landed a solid, clean left, but the majority of the pressure was from Usman (20-2). Usman was less than 60 seconds away from a unanimous decision until Edwards finished the fight with a flawless, spectacular head kick. Edwards (20-3-1) looked outstanding to start and end the fight, but it was all Usman in between. He avenged his last loss, which was against Usman in 2015, and his redemption also includes the belt.

Goiti Yamauchi ran his hot streak to six wins in seven fights with a second-round knockout of Neiman Gracie in the welterweight main event of Bellator 284 on ...

“As a fighter, I think I’ve done what I wanted to,” the 36-year-old Nunes (11-7) said, adding that she is stepping away to have more children with her wife, two-division UFC champion Amanda Nunes. Nina Nunes ended a two-fight losing streak with a split-decision win over Cynthia Calvillo on Saturday's UFC fight card in San Diego, then announced her retirement. Goiti Yamauchi ran his hot streak to six wins in seven fights with a second-round knockout of Neiman Gracie in the welterweight main event of Bellator 284 on Friday night in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Check out the best photos from Leon Edwards' fifth-round knockout win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City.

[UFC](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/category/ufc) 7hr ago [UFC 279 lineup bulks up with Tony Ferguson moving to welterweight vs. [UFC](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/category/ufc) 11hr ago [UFC 278 results: Tyson Pedro blasts Harry Hunsucker for TKO in 65 seconds](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-results-tyson-pedro-knockout-tko-harry-hunsucker-65-seconds) SALT LAKE CITY – Dana White previously said more notable names were in the works for UFC 279 and he announced two of them Saturday. [UFC](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/category/ufc) 9hr ago [UFC 278 results: Luke Rockhold loses blood-and-guts war to Paulo Costa, indicates he's done fighting](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-results-luke-rockhold-vs-paulo-costa-retires-war-blood) [UFC](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/category/ufc) 10hr ago [UFC 278 results: Merab Dvalishvili stifles Jose Aldo, says he won't fight champ teammate Aljamain Sterling](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-results-merab-dvalishvili-vs-jose-aldo-utah-crowd-aljamain-sterling) [News](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/category/news) 12hr ago [Oleksandr Usyk outboxes Anthony Joshua again to set up showdown with Tyson Fury](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/oleksandr-usyk-vs-anthony-joshua-2-results-tyson-fury) [UFC](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/category/ufc) 8hr ago [UFC 278 results: Leon Edwards pulls off stunner, knocks Kamaru Usman out cold with last-minute head kick](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-results-kamaru-usman-vs-leon-edwards-knockout-head-kick) (Photos by Jeffrey Swinger, USA TODAY Sports) [UFC](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/category/ufc) 7hr ago [Joe Rogan: Leon Edwards' UFC 278 knockout of Kamaru Usman was best head-kick KO in history](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-joe-rogan-opinion-leon-edwards-knockout-ko-vs-kamaru-usman-best-head-kick-mma-history) [UFC](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/category/ufc) 7hr ago [Kamaru Usman vows to 'bounce back and come with vengeance' following UFC 278 knockout](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-kamaru-usman-vows-to-come-back-with-vengeance-after-knockout-loss) [UFC](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/category/ufc) 53m ago [UFC 278 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Luke Rockhold nets $11,000 in farewell fight](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-venum-pay-promotional-guidelines-compliance-luke-rockhold-money-return) [Blue Corner](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/category/bluecorner) 9m ago [Video: Leon Edwards lets the happy tears flow on backstage phone call with mom after UFC 278 shocker](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-video-leon-edwards-phone-call-with-mom-england-behind-scenes-knockout-kamaru-usman)

Down 3-1 on the scorecards and less than a minute away from a decision loss to welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC), Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 ...

[Blue Corner](http://mmajunkie.com/category/bluecorner) is MMA Junkie’s blog space. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS. Edwards, who turns 31 later this week, almost certainly will have as his first title defense a rematch with Usman, which will be their third fight.

Paulo Costa reacted to his UFC 278 win over Luke Rockhold and the gruesome scene that ended the fight.

“Yes, I thought when I saw him put his hands on his knees and show how tired he was, I thought maybe this guy won’t finish the last moment of the third round,” Costa said. The Brazilian isn’t sure whether or not he has another fight on his contract, though he certainly indicated Saturday’s fight would be his final obligation. All the signs Rockhold gave him indicated he wouldn’t need judges to deliver the final verdict. Maybe he was so frustrated and angry because he was losing the fight. All he had to endure in those final seconds was some of Rockhold’s blood on his face and mouth. Once he figured it out, he shared the reaction many did to Rockhold smearing blood on his face.

Moments later Costa was named the winner via unanimous decision by the judges in what was likely Rockhold's final fight of his career. Check out this gross ...

Moments later Costa was named the winner via unanimous decision by the judges in what was likely Rockhold’s final fight of his career. There was also a really wild moment in one of the most anticipated fights on the card when Luke Rockhold was seen purposely smearing his blood onto Paulo Costa’s face during the final seconds of the third and final round of their fight. UFC 278 was an amazing night of fight in Salt Lake City, Utah, which ended with

Usman entered Saturday as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC rankings, but it was Edwards who left with the welterweight title after a knockout in the ...

Costa earned the same bonus after his hard-fought win over Yoel Romero in 2019. Victor Altamirano earned the other Performance of the Night bonus from UFC 278 after a first-round knockout over Daniel Lacerda in the preliminary card. After a stunning upset over Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards unsurprisingly earned a $50,000 bonus for Performance of the Night at UFC 278, per

Paulo Costa made a successful return to the UFC Octagon following a lengthy spell of inactivity through injury - but it was bitter rival Luke Rockhold who ...

I gave it my all. The clip was posted by Barstool Sports which you can see for yourself in the video above. Thank you, Joe. Thank you, UFC. thank you, fighting. [Paulo Costa](https://www.givemesport.com/paulo-costa) made a successful return to the [UFC](https://www.givemesport.com/ufc) Octagon following a lengthy spell of inactivity through injury – but it was bitter rival [Luke Rockhold](https://givemesport.com/luke-rockhold) who stole the show.

Despite a few bumps in the road during fight week, it doesn't sound like Dana White is interested in holding a grudge with Luke Rockhold.

[UFC 278](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/events/ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2) co-main event Saturday for his first fight in more than three years. For both of them to dig as deep as they did and put on an absolute dogfight like they did, I have nothing but respect for both of them. That may have made for an awkward interaction at the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday, but Rockhold seemed to be more focused on his fight with Costa than his criticism on White. “There’s a lot of stress. “I think that coming into a situation like both of theirs, there’s a lot of pressure,” White said at a post-event news conference. [Dana White](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/dana-white) is interested in holding a grudge with [Luke Rockhold](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/luke-rockhold).

The fighter known as "Rocky" scored the win with 56 seconds left in the UFC 278 welterweight title fight.

Champion of the world.” I’m champion of the world. Usman bit on a feint, Edwards landed his kick and one of the biggest upsets in the sport was in the books. Saturday’s result prompted immediate talk of a rematch and Usman, who was taken to a hospital after the fight, graciously hinted as much on Twitter. Edwards started strong, with Usman being taken down in the first round for the first time in his UFC career. at least the UFC world.

After his UFC 278 win, Paulo Costa revealed his promotional deal may be over – or it may have one fight left on it.

If this is the last fight, so I have no more on the contract, I need to sit down and put attention and look what is best for my future. We have a lot of great opportunities there, but the UFC is a great company. But I know we have UFC Rio in Brazil in January, so maybe I can wait a little more. Unsure of whether or not his promotional deal is fought out or not, Costa said there are a few options on the horizon. “We’ve had a lot of great opportunities (that) came up,” Costa told reporters, including MMA Junkie. He might also have no fights left on his UFC contract.

The top storylines from UFC 278 include Leon Edwards' KO of Kamaru Usman, Luke Rockhold's final war, and Jose Aldo dropping the ball.

If he had his druthers, he obviously would’ve rather connected with it in the first round and not gone through the headache, but landing it when he did just made the moment that much more shocking. It was a technique he scouted in advance, and he couldn’t have timed it better. Costa is more highly ranked and a more important piece of the roster than Burgos in my opinion (with all due respect), but if he’s truly a free agent, he has the chance to field offers. The 185-pound weight class is thin on contenders, and if Costa can put together a sting of wins, it’s not unreasonable to think he gets back in the discussion to rematch Israel Adesanya (assuming he’s still the champ). It just shows anything can happen when two fighters are locked in that cage, and this in this instance, it did. Silva’s record is safe for the time being, with Alexander Volkanovski looking like the next potential candidate to threaten it with his current 12-fight streak. It’s ultimately just another reminder that this is the hardest sport out there to be consistently successful at. Allowing Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) to fight out his deal might not give the promotion a choice, however. Hopefully he leaves with closure and the next chapter of his life, whatever it may be, brings him peace and happiness. He landed some huge shots and had some advantageous ground positions at time, but you could tell it was a far diminished version of the man who once held UFC and Strikeforce gold. In the end, you have to admire Rockhold’s courage. That doesn’t mean Aldo should fold up the tent and go home, though.

Part of the magic of combat sports lies in the way no fight is ever truly over until final horn. There's no 10-point play in football, but MMA comes with ...

[#ufc278] [August 21, 2022] Usman won striking exchanges, scored takedowns and dominated the narrative of the bout. But, from that point on, the fight was all Usman.

Leon Edwards' knockout of Kamaru Usman was one of the latest finishes in the history of UFC championship fights.

[Alexandr Romanov](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/alexandr-romanov) (16-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) had his 16-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of his career [UFC 278](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/ufc-278). [UFC](http://www.ufcstats.com) research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. [UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-278-venum-pay-promotional-guidelines-compliance-luke-rockhold-money-return) for the event totaled $226,000. [Daniel Da Silva](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/daniel-da-silva)’s (11-4 MMA, 0-3 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. [Jay Perrin](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/jay-perrin) (10-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC) has suffered five of his six career losses by decision. [Francisco Figueiredo](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/francisco-figueiredo) (13-5-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has suffered three of his five career losses by stoppage. [Amir Albazi](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/amir-albazi) (15-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has earned 13 of his 15 career victories by stoppage. [Leonardo Santos](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/leonardo-santos)’ (18-6-1 MMA, 7-3-1 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. She hasn’t earned a victory since November 2018. [Wu Yanan](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/tag/wu-yanan)’s (11-6 MMA, 1-5 UFC) four-fight losing skid is the longest of her career. She earned her first octagon victory since February 2018.

All the best, most interesting, and - hopefully - unquestionably coolest fights the UFC needs to book following their latest event out of Salt Lake City.

Sure, he’d been able to maul his way to wins in his first 16 fights, but there was no way he’d be able to do that all the way to the top. Tim Elliott doesn’t have a winning UFC record either, but he has a long track record against some of the best the division has had to offer over the years. The issue with Tybura is prior to that run, he had a stretch where he was fighting some of the division’s best and came up short. Of those, Nzechukwu is in the most similar situation as he’s coming off a win over someone no longer in the organization, just as it appears Pedro is about to be. Gordon utilized his wrestling to push Santos against the fence on several occasions and work over the body of the 42-year-old. Simon is the last person to hang a loss on Dvalishvili and is on a five-fight win streak himself. From the day we all saw Dvalishvili fight for the first time, we all knew it was going to be difficult for him to sniff a title shot given his style. With both coming off loses that appear to close the door on their title aspirations, there doesn’t appear to be a better time. Both he and Costa have already fallen to Israel Adesanya and it doesn’t make a lot of business sense to have them sniping off potential contenders on the way up. What to make of the win of the enigmatic Paulo Costa? It avoids the awkward situation of Dvalishvili maybe having to fight his teammate, Aljamain Sterling, but from a business perspective, I’d say Uncle Dana is making a mistake. For many, Usman was the P4P king heading into the contest and he had been reinforcing that idea going into the final minute of the fight.