Highlights, updates, fight card, analysis as Kamaru Usman-Leon Edwards headlines

Anderson Silva grew to become a legend in mixed martial arts by reeling off 16 consecutive victories to commence his UFC profession, establishing a mark that seemed like it may previous a very long time. But UFC welterweight winner Kamaru Usman has a prospect to tie Silva’s vaunted mark for the promotion’s longest winning streak when he defends his title from major-ranked challenger Leon Edwards in the major party of UFC 278 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Silva’s winning streak and dominance at middleweight led lots of to refer to him as the best combined martial artist of all time. Usman now is regarded as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the environment and there are many who think he’s in contention for the mythical all-time biggest moniker.

[It’s fantasy football season: Create or join a league now!]

The primary party is a rematch of a bout on Dec. 19, 2015, when Usman, just one bout off of profitable the welterweight crown on “The Supreme Fighter,” scored a unanimous choice victory in excess of Edwards.

Highlights, updates, fight card, analysis as Kamaru Usman-Leon Edwards headlines — Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards run back their 2015 battle Saturday with Usman’s welterweight title on the line. (Image by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire by means of Getty Illustrations or photos)

Usman has gained 13 in a row since that fight and is riding an all round 19-struggle successful streak with 15 of these wins in the UFC.

Edwards, who is hunting to complete a rags-to-riches story Saturday by successful the title right after rising up amid crime and poverty in Jamaica and England, has received nine in a row with a no-contest because he shed to Usman in 2015.

In the co-most important occasion, it will be a struggle of middleweights who have been at each and every other’s throats all 7 days. Former champion Luke Rockhold, who produced waves by blasting the UFC on fighter pay out and ripping a reporter for the way the reporter dealt with his teammate, will meet Paulo Costa.

Rockhold has not fought in a lot more than 3 several years, because suffering a damaged nose and damaged jaw in a 2019 loss to Jan Blachowicz. Costa has lost his last two fights.

Just one bout on the card, a flyweight match in between Miranda Maverick and Shanna Youthful, was canceled Friday when Younger produced a healthcare ailment while cutting body weight.