Breaking Down the Main Card: UFC 278

As the return of the UFC to Salt Lake City is soon to be underway, we take a look at three intriguing fights on the main card.

Welterweight: Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2

UFC 278’s main event will see a rematch years in the making. Both Usman and Edwards were looking to rise into the UFC Welterweight rankings at the time of their first bout. The fight ended in a unanimous decision victory for the now Welterweight king Kamaru Usman. While it was a decided victory for the Nigerian, most of the fight was spent in the clinch, battling for control along the cage. While Usman was successful with multiple takedowns, he was unable to attempt any submissions or throw any really significant ground strikes due to Edwards’ good work in bottom position as he attempted a triangle choke, threw elbows and showcased his fantastic get-ups. There were very few if any exciting striking exchanges, however, Leon Edwards showed his advantage while the fight stayed on the feet.

Since this first fight, both men have improved immensely, Kamaru Usman becoming one of the most dominant champions in UFC Welterweight history, the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world and being on a 15- fight UFC win streak, one win away from tying Anderson Silva for the longest win streak ever in the promotion. Leon Edwards had since gone on an 8-fight win streak, beating the likes of Donald Cerrone, Rafael Dos Anjos, Gunnar Nelson and Nate Diaz. This is a very interesting stylistic matchup, as both fighters are now very skilled on the feet and the ground, the most prominent improvement coming from Kamaru Usman’s striking and confidence in his power, all thanks to his coach Trevor Whittman. While Usman is regarded as the best fighter in the world, every new fight for him is increasingly difficult, and Leon Edwards is an opponent who can give him a lot of trouble once the doors to the octagon are locked.

Bantamweight: Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalashvili

In a long-anticipated matchup since its announcement, Josè Aldo will take on Georgian wrestling sensation Merab Dvalashvili. The Brazilian Aldo is returning off a win against Rob Font in December which saw him return to vintage form, battering Font with leg kicks and aggressive Muay Thai, while showcasing the slick boxing he has been working on with the Brazilian Navy.

Merab Dvalashvili returns after his back-and-forth war against the former title challenger and newly retired Marlon Moraes, which saw him earn a 2nd round TKO after landing 14 unanswered ground strikes. The ground strikes came after he was knocked down multiple times and badly hurt in the first round, leading many people to believe Dvalashvili pulled off the best comeback of 2021.

The main question in this matchup is if Aldo can utilize his all-time great 90% takedown defense against the decorated wrestler, or if Dvalashvili is able to control Aldo much like he has done to most of his UFC career. Jose Aldo’s longevity is unmatched and Merab is a young, new contender – perhaps one of the more interesting situations on the UFC 278 fight card. This is a striker versus grappler matchup of epic proportions that has potential to win fight of the night honors.

Light heavyweight: Tyson Pedro VS. Harry Hunsucker

In a fight that many did not assume would happen, Tyson Pedro returns for his second fight back after a 4 year layoff due to double knee surgery, and looks to make another statement after dismantling Ike “Hurricane” Villanueva just a few months ago. He battles Harry Hunsucker, who is coming off a knockout loss to Justin Tafa at heavyweight and looks to avenge his loss against Tafa’s fellow countryman during his light heavyweight debut.

Both athletes have extremely different styles; Hunsucker likes to throw caution to the wind and throw heavy, looping punches and usually does not set his attacks up, whereas Tyson Pedro is an exceptionally technical and talented striker who throws punishing leg kicks and polished uppercuts in the pocket. Both men pose a big threat to one another and are in the biggest fights of their careers thus far, as Pedro would like to rise to the top and Hunsucker would like to shift momentum in his favor.

By: Jason Liakakos