UFC 278: Prediction, Odds, Fight Card, Preview, and Live Streaming Details

Predictions

Here are our predictions for the UFC 278 event that takes place on August 20, 2022, at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States.

Kamaru Usman vs Leon Edwards II

Kamaru Usman is unlikely to lose an MMA contest to anyone besides Colby Covington. He is the #1 P4P UFC fighter, undefeated since 2013/undefeated in the UFC, and in the best shape of his life, as evidenced by the betting odds and the general consensus of anyone paying even passing attention. 

That’s not to downplay Leon Edwards’ accomplishments, either, who has enjoyed a strong winning streak ever since Usman defeated him by unanimous decision in their first meeting in 2015. There are levels to this game. The welterweight title won’t be going anywhere anytime soon with a skillset as full as The Nigerian Nightmare’s. 

We are backing Kamaru Usman.

Also Read: UFC Champion Usman to Star in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

Paulo Costa vs Luke Rockhold

This fight would have been very different a few years ago. Let’s just say that Luke Rockhold has not had a good experience with Father Time. Some of you may already be aware that the former division champion’s chin hasn’t healed up since he lost the title to Michael Bisping in one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. And after three years away from the cage, who can predict what kind of shape he’ll be in? 

The only opponent I could come up with who would be a worse match-up for the guy is Paulo Costa, who despite having lost his last two fights to the current middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and the formidable Marvin Vettori, is a man with explosive power. 

Rockhold might have a chance if he relies on his arsenal of world-class grappling techniques, but Paulo Costa is our favorite.

Jose Aldo vs Merab Dvalishvili

Father Time seems to have struck Luke Rockhold as a victim, but Jose Aldo has managed to avoid him. He’s managed to end a three-fight losing streak—a losing streak against absolute monsters, mind you—contrary to everything we’ve learned about professional mixed martial artists—and keep on establishing his dominance in his mid-30s. 

You don’t become the latest hungry brawler from the favelas to successfully defend the UFC featherweight title seven times (nine if you include the WEC days). But Merab Dvalishvili deserves credit for finishing Marlon Moraes while Aldo was defeated by a split decision. Although sometimes the MMA math doesn’t add up. 

Our bet’s on Jose Aldo.

Marcin Tybura vs Alexander Romanov

The decision is simple based solely on the numbers. Alexander Romanov is an up-and-coming undefeated grappler with exceptional skills who actively seeks out the finish and rarely leaves it to the judges. A seasoned boxer who had a successful year before being stopped by Alexander Volkov is Marcin Tybura. Who knows? Maybe this time around, experience will matter. I doubt it.

Alexander Romanov is our pick. 

Tyson Pedro vs Harry Hunsucker

I don’t know how Harry Hunsucker got into the UFC. With Tyson Pedro having just made his three-year comeback, I suppose every fight promotion needs a few tomato cans for a comeback crushing. The Australian fighter recently defeated Ike Villanueva by a score of 18–14. 

While many would be worried about what time away from the sport has done to him, Tyson Pedro is our pick because he’s been working hard with Eugene Bareman and company at New Zealand’s City Kickboxing.

Also Read: UFC 279 to feature Nate Diaz vs. Khamzat Chimaev!

Odds

Kamaru Usman (-360) vs. Leon Edwards (+300)
Paulo Costa (-280) vs. Luke Rockhold (+240)
Merab Dvalishvili (-130) vs. Jose Aldo (+110)
Alexander Romanov (-400) vs. Marcin Tybura (+320)
Tyson Pedro (-800) vs. Harry Hunsucker (+550)
Jared Gordon (-320) vs. Leonardo Santos (+260)
Lucie Pudilova (-145) vs. Yanan Wu (+125)
Sean Woodson (-340) vs. Luis Saldana (+280)
Miranda Maverick (-475) vs. Shanna Young (+380)
A.J. Fletcher (-160) vs. Ange Loosa (+140)
Amir Albazi (-380) vs. Francisco Figueiredo (+310)
Aori Qileng (-155) vs. Jay Perrin (+135)
Victor Altamirano (-200) vs. Daniel Da Silva (+175)

Also Read: Top 5 UFC Fighters of All Time

Fight Card

MAIN CARD

• Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 
• Luke Rockhold vs. Paulo Costa
• Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili
• Marcin Tybura vs. Alexandr Romanov
• Tyson Pedro vs. Harry Hunsucker

UNDERCARD

• Leonardo Santos vs. Jared Gordon
• Wu Yanan vs. Lucie Pudilova
• Sean Woodson vs. Luis Saldana
• Miranda Maverick vs. Shanna Young
• A.J. Fletcher vs. Ange Loosa
• Amir Albazi vs. Francisco Figueiredo
• Aoriqileng vs. Jay Perrin
• Victor Altamirano vs. Daniel Da Silva

Preview

The main event of UFC 278 features a rematch between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.

Usman vs Edwards

Usman will face the Birmingham-based competitor while defending his UFC welterweight title. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ defeated Edwards at UFC on FOX 17 in December 2015 by unanimous decision.

Rockhold vs Costa

Luke Rockhold, a former middleweight champion of the UFC, will compete against Paulo Costa on the same card. Rockhold lost consecutive fights to Yoel Romero and Jan Bachowicz, putting him on a two-fight losing streak.

Also vs Dvalishvili

Jose Aldo, who will compete in a bantamweight match against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278, is another MMA legend who will appear at the event. Aldo was the UFC featherweight champion in the past. In his new weight class, he currently has a three-fight winning streak.

Tybura vs Romanov

Another significant matchup scheduled for the event on August 20 is Marcin Tybura vs. Alexandr Romanov. Romanov will try to climb into the top ten UFC heavyweights. The Moldovan has won each of his five octagon matches and is currently undefeated in MMA.

Also Read: “I think they f—ked up” – Leon Edwards does not critical of Diaz vs. Khamzat match-up at UFC 279

Prelims

The preliminary matches for UFC 278 have already been confirmed in a number of fights, with Francisco Figueiredo competing against Amir Albazi at flyweight. At the event, Victor Altamirano and Daniel da Silva will also wrestle in the 125-pound weight class.

On the other end of the spectrum, Tyson Pedro will square off against Harry Hunsucker in a preliminary light heavyweight fight. Sean Woodson is another American who wants to make a statement. With a 9-1 record in professional mixed martial arts, Woodson will compete against seasoned fighter Luis Saldaa.

At UFC 278 two Chinese fighters are scheduled to square off; Yanan Wu will compete at bantamweight against Lucie Pudilová and Aoriqileng will compete at 135 pounds against Jay Perrin.

In the UFC welterweight division, AJ Fletcher will enter the ring for the second time to face Swiss-born Ange Loosa. Jared Gordon, another American on the card, competes at 155 pounds against the Brazilian Leonardo Santos.

Streaming Details