UFC 278 Results, Live Coverage, and Discussion: Leon Edwards KO’s Kamaru Usman!

Welcome to Fightful.com‘s results, live coverage, and discussion for UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2.

We will bring you full results for tonight’s card. Scroll down to the Disqus boards below and chat with fellow MMA fans during the event.

Results

Main Card (PPV, 10:00 p.m. EDT/7:00 p.m. PDT)

• (#2) Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman (C) via KO (head kick) (4:04, R5) — UFC Welterweight Championship
• (#6) Paulo Costa def. Luke Rockhold via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• (#6) Merab Dvalishvili def. (#3) Jose Aldo via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Lucie Pudilova def. Wu Yanan via TKO (elbows) (4:04, R2)
• Tyson Pedro def. Harry Hunsucker via TKO (strikes) (1:05, R1)

Prelims (ESPN, 6:30 p.m. EDT/3:30 p.m. PDT)

• (#11) Marcin Tybura def. (#13) Alexandr Romanov via unanimous decison (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jared Gordon def. Leonardo Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Sean Woodson vs. Luis Saldana Ends In A Split-Draw (29-27, 27-29, 28-28)
• Ange Loosa def. AJ Fletcher via unanimous decision (29-27-29-28, 29-28)
• Amir Albazi def. Francisco Figueiredo via submission (rear-naked choke) (4:34, R1)
• Aoriqileng def. Jay Perrin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Victor Altamirano def. Daniel Da Silva via TKO (punches) (3:39, R1)

Play-by-Play

Kamaru Usman (C) vs. (#2) Leon Edwards — UFC Welterweight Championship

Round One – Edwards goes for a low kick, Usman catches it and sends Edwards back to start. Edwards lands a calf kick then a low kick, then another. Usman lands a low kick then dives in for a takedown, Edwards holds firm, Usman clinches, Edwards circles off the fence, Usman dives in again, Edwards falls back, Usman lands on top and lands a few shots of ground and pound. Edwards scrambles and gets back to his feet, Usman clinches and starts kicking the back of Edwards’ calves. Usman tries to flip Edwards back to the mat but Edwards balances on his feet and stay upright for the time being. Usman tries to kick Edwards’ feet out from under him but Edwards shoves Usman back and lands on top with a takedown of his own. Edwards lands a pair of heavy shots from on top, Usman rolls, Edwards with a few shots to the side of the head and rolls Usman back with the body triangle intact and looks for the choke. Usman rolls, Edwards looks for the neck, Usman works the hands, Edwards continues to look for the choke but Usman defends will for the time being. Referee, Herb Dean warns Edwards to stop grabbing the inside of Usman’s gloves, Edwards lands side elbows to Usman’s face and the horn sounds to end an eventful opening frame.

Round Two – Edwards lands a 1-2, Usman works the jab, Usman just misses a looping left hand but clinches the challenger against the fence. Edwards shoves Usman back and forces the break, Usman rips a 1-2 to the body and unloads a combination but Edwards defends well and doesn’t let much get through. Usman lands a low kick, Edwards lands ome of his own, Usman jabs, Edwards jabs but it appears as if he poked Usman in the eye and Herb Dean calls for a stop in the action. The champion recovers, Dean warns both competitors, and the fight is quickly resumed. Edwards lands a straight left, then a knee to the body, Usman with a body kick, and Edwards lands one of his own. Usman lands a kick to Edwards’ lead leg then clinches and has Edwards pressed against the cage. Usman with some foot stomps, Edwards slides off the fence and dives for a takedown but Usman sprawls and looks for the choke. Edwards explodes forward and breaks the hold and both men are back on the feet. Usman with a 1-2, Edwards lands a step-in elbow then a jab, Usman clinches and looks for the takedown and gets it. Usman lands an elbow from the top and lands a bunch of lefts to the body but the buzzer sounds to end round number two.

Round Three – Edwards partially lands a high kick to start. Edwards with a low kick, then a straight left to the body, Usman grabs a leg and scoops and slams Edwards to the mat. Usman with an elbow from the top, Edwards scrambles back to his feet, Usman stays clinched with back control against the fence and lands some knees to the back of Edwards’ thighs. Usman looks for the takedown but Edwards holds firm, breaks the clinch, and circles back to the center of the octagon. Usman rips a left hook to the body then lands a step-in elbow and drags Edwards right back down to the mat with another takedown. Usman looks for the back, Edwards scoots to the fence, Usman lands some shots to the side of Edwards’ head and Edwards gets his back against the fence. Usman steps to the side and lands some heavy shots to both the body and the head, Usman looks for the choke, Edwards scrambles and gets back to his feet and the horn sounds to send this one to the championship rounds.

Round Four – Edwards with a low kick, Usman whiffs on a left hook, Edwards whiffs on a left hook of his own but lands a calf kick. Edwards latches onto Usman and looks for the back, Usman scrambles to the fence, Edwards continues to look for the back, Usman grabs the cage but Herb Dean pushes his hand off, and Edwards lands a knee to the thigh. Usman breaks the hold, misses a right hook but drags Edwards to the mat and starts raining down some heavy shots. Usman lands some elbows, Edwards scrambles and scoots back to the cage but Usman continues the ground and pound. Edwards gets back to his feet but Usman drops him right back down with a takedown. Edwards grabs the cage and stands up but Herb Dean saw it and calls for Usman to come back over and reset his position with control. The fight resumes and Usman has Edwards clinched but lets go and starts firing hooks, Edwards covers up and the buzzer sounds to send this one to the fifth and final round.

Round Five – Usman with a left hook, then a straight left to the body and a 1-2 then drags Edwards to the mat. Edwards pops right back up, Usman clinches and stomps on Edwards’ feet. Usman looks for another takedown, Edwards holds firm and Herb Dean forces the break. Edwards with a body kick, then a 1-2, and goes for another body kick but this time, it’s too low and Herb Dean calls for a halt in the action. Usman recovers, Dean gives a stern warning to Edwards and the fight is continued. Edwards with a leg kick, then another and lands a head kick out of nowhere and Usman is out cold! What a finish by Leon Edwards! New champion!

Result: (#2) Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman (C) via KO (head kick) (4:04, R5)

(#6) Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold

Round One – Rockhold with a right hook to start. Rockhold with a low kick, then a front kick to the body and dives for a takedown. Costa sprawls and lands some shots to the side of his head and gets back to his feet. Costa with a kick to the body then drills Rockhold with a right hook then scoops and slams Rockhold to the mat. Costa starts firing down elbows then right hooks to the body and gets to mount. Rockhold scrambles, Costa lifts and settles back into top control. Costa works the body and steps over back into mount, Rockhold scrambles and gets back to his feet. Rockhold lands a knee to the body, Costa lands a straight left, Rockhold misses a high kick then rips a kick to the body, then another, then a third and Costa winces after the third body kick lands. Rockhold’s nose is busted open, Costa clinches and lands a knee to the thigh, Rockhold trips Costa but Costa separates and circles back to the center of the octagon. Rockhold lands an overhand right, Costa misses a body kick, Rockhold lands another right and the buzzer sounds to end a wild opening frame.

Round Two – Rockhold lands a left hook, then a kick to the body, Costa wallops Rockhold with a left hook, Rockhold dives for a takedown and gets it but Costa gets right back to his feet and clinches. Rockhold shoves Costa back, Costa rips a straight right to the body, Rockhold lands a left hook, Costa rips a left hook to the body and both men, especially Rockhold look absolutely exhausted. Rockhold lands a high kick, Costa walks through it, Rockhold lands a left hook then a kick to the body and a low kick. Costa lands a side kick to the body, Rockhold accidentally pokes Costa in the eye and referee, Mike Beltran calls for a pause in the action. The fight is quickly resumed and Costa goes on the attack with a right hook to the body then clinches and Rockhold falls to the mat, referee Beltran stops the fight, Costa thinks the fight is over but Beltran says it’s only being stopped because of a shot below the belt and Costa ripped an uppercut right on Rockhold’s cup and Rockhold is recovering on the mat. Beltran warns both men, Rockhold takes a couple of minutes to recover, Beltran warns both competitors one final time and this one is back underway. Rockhold misses a high kick but lands one to Costa’s lead leg. Rockhold lands a right hook, Rockhold leaps for a kick but Costa times it perfectly and lands a kick to Rockhold’s lead leg. Costa rips a kick to the body, Rockhold whiffs on an overhand left, Costa misses a right hook and the horn sounds to send this one to the third and final round.

Round Three – Both men are absolutely gassed out and we’ll see who has more left in the tank for the final five-minutes or less. Costa misses an overhand right then lands a kick to the body, Costa misses a spinning back kick, Rockhold lands a left hook, Costa falls to the mat, Rockhold rushes over, Costa pops back to his feet and Costa lands a right hook. Costa lands a straight left then a kick to the body, Costa with a 1-2, Rockhold sends Costa back with a left hook, both men put their hands behind their backs right in front of one another’s faces, Rockhold dives for a takedown, Costa sprawls, Rockhold scrambles and Costa ends up in side control. Costa gets mount and starts raining down ground and pound, Rockhold scrambles, Costa takes the back, Rockhold’s nose is pouring blood, and both men are beyond exhausted. Rockhold scrambles, Costa looks for the choke, Rockhold keeps spinning and ends up on top. Rockhold starst wiping his blood in Costa’s mouth and lands a few shots and the buzzer sounds to end one of the most entertaining fights of the year and this one is headed to the judge’s scorecards.

Result: (#6) Paulo Costa def. Luke Rockhold via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

(#3) Jose Aldo vs. (#6) Merab Dvalishvili

Round One – Merab opens with a spinning back kick that just misses. Merab whiffs on a 1-2 as both men look to gauge each other’s range early on. Merab dives for a takedown, Aldo holds his balance, backs up to the fence and breaks loose. Aldo lands a straight left to the body, Merab comes back with a low kick after missing an overhand right. Aldo lands a kick to the lead leg then a knee to the mid-section of Merab and Merab comes back with a low kick. Aldo lands a heavy low kick, then another, Merab dives for another takedown, Aldo backs up to the fence and Merab clinches. Merab lands a few knews to the thigh, Aldo lands a left, Merab slips to the mat but gets right back up and the pair circle back to the center of the octagon. Merab with a low kick then just misses another spinning back kick attempt. Merab misses yet another spinning back kick, Aldo clobbers him with a right hook, Merab retreats, Aldo comes flying forward with a jumping kick to the body, Merab misses a high kick, Aldo backs up and the buzzer sounds to end the opening frame.

Round Two – Merab clocks Aldo with an overhand right, Aldo lands a low kick and round number two is underway. Merab dives for a takedown, Aldo backs up to the fence and Merab starts landing knees in the clinch. Merab stays clinched up, starts landing knees to Aldo’s thighs and Aldo forces the break. Aldo lands a 1-2, rips a right hook to the body and Merab dives for another takedown but Aldo holds his balance and backs up to the fence once again. Aldo rips a left hook on the break, Merab dives right back down but Aldo stuffs it, yet again. Merab lands some shoulders in the clinch, Aldo returns fire with some of his own and forces the break. Merab dives for another takedown and Aldo sprawls and shoves him back. Merab lands a low kick, Aldo lands one of his own, Merab shoots for another takedown but Aldo shoves him back once again. Merab dives right back in, Aldo holds firm and Merab clinches but the horn sounds to end round number two.

Round Three – Merab dives right in, Aldo shoves him right back and circles back to the center of the octagon. Merab lands a low kick, Aldo does the same, Merab rips a 1-2 then goes back to the well with a lead leg kick. Aldo works the jab, lands a step-in knee to the body, lands another jab and shoves Merab off after a clinch attempt. Aldo with another jab, Merab with a 1-2, Aldo continues to pepper with the jab, Merab with a right hook, then a 1-2 and Aldo circles off the fence to avoid the clinch. Merab whiffs on an overhand right but lands a left hook, Aldo with a straight left to the body and Merab dives in for a takedown but Aldo shoves the attempt aside. Merab dives right back in, Aldo backs up to the fence and Merab clinches. Merab goes for the judo throw, Aldo holds his balance and spins but Merab stays clinched against the fence. Merab lands a knee to the thigh and drags Aldo to a knee but the former champion pops right back to his feet. Merab lands some more knees to the thigh, then to the ribs and lands a few punches to the side of the head before continuing with the knees to the thigh and Aldo finalls breaks but the buzzer sounds and this one is headed to the judge’s scorecards.

Result: (#6) Merab Dvalishvili def. (#3) Jose Aldo via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Wu Yanan vs. Lucie Pudilova

Round One – Pudilova immediately shoots for a takedown, Yanan backs up to the fence and clinches. Yanan breaks, Pudilova lands a low kick and Yanan returns fire with one of her own. Pudilova shoots for another takedown and this time, she gets it. Pudilova transitions to side control and starts landing some short punches to the side of Yanan’s head. Yanan scrambles to her feet, Pudilova stays latched onto the back, Yanan backs up to the fence and Pudilova stays clinched and rides out the final few seconds clinched up as the horn sounds to end the opening frame.

Round Two – Pudilova rips a 1-2 to open. Yanan whiffs on a right uppercut but lands a straight left. Yanan lands a low kick, Pudilova lands one in return. Yanan lands a 1-2 then a low kick and a jab. Pudilova shoots, Yanan holds firm and shoves Pudilova aside. Pudilova with a low kick, Yanan with one of her own, Pudilova grabs Yanan’s head and gets this one back to the mat with a judo throw. Pudilova gets the back, Yanan rolls to her side, Pudilova locks in the choke, Yanan fights the hands, scrambles and gets to her back where Pudilova settles into side control. Pudilova lands some shots from the side, Yanan scrambles, Pudilova starts dropping elbows, Yanan keeps scrambling, Pudilov starts dropping absolute bombs, Yanan covers up and referee, Herb Dean waves this one off! What a performance by Lucie Pudilova!

Result: Lucie Pudilova def. Wu Yanan via TKO (elbows) (4:04, R2)

Tyson Pedro vs. Harry Hunsucker

Round One – Pedro wallops Hunsucker with a straight left, Hunsucker retreats, Pedro rips a teep to the body and Hunsucker folds to the mat and that’s it! What a performance by Tyson Pedro!

Result: Tyson Pedro def. Harry Hunsucker via TKO (strikes) (1:05, R1)