UFC 278 Preview: Luke Rockhold Returns

Buzzer Beater Sports
Aug 19, 2022
2 min read

Middleweights

#6 MW | Paulo Costa (13-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. Luke Rockhold (16-5, 6-4 UFC)

ODDS: Costa (-295), Rockhold (+245)

Fight Preview

Coming off a near three year break from competition, former middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold is ready to make his return against “The Eraser” Paulo Costa.

In the co-main event at UFC 278 Rockhold will make his return to the octagon as he squares off against former middleweight title contender, Paulo Costa. The two were slated to fight at UFC 277, but the fight was canceled due to an injury to Rockhold.

Since losing the belt in 2016, it has been tough for Rockhold. His most recent fight came in the light-heavyweight division against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 239 where he lost by TKO in the second round. Three of Rockhold’s last four UFC fights were loses, and all of them have come by way of TKO. Rockhold’s durability appears to be an issue, and with age and the injuries he’s endured, this fight looks like it should go Costa’s way.

On the other side of the octagon, Costa was on an impressive run to start off his UFC career. Despite fighting his way to a title shot with 5 consecutive victories, including a win by TKO over Uriah Hall at UFC 253, Costa has lost his last two straight. Both these loses came at the hands of two of the best fighters in the division, including current middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, and former title contender, Marvin Vettori.

Prediction and Analysis

Costa is more of a volume puncher as opposed to a pure knockout artist. He has the knockout power, and the wins that prove his ability to power his way through almost any fight. However, it is important to note this ability Costa has to apply such heavy pressure to his opponents and tire them down is what helps him eventually knock people out.

It is important that Rockhold plays strategic defence against Costa. Costa, along with his brutal force, is a skilled grappler, so it will be challenging for Rockhold to resort to his wrestling to take him down. It is crucial for Rockhold to be able to stay on his feet and box with Costa if he wants to have any chance at winning the fight.

Rockhold has also made it clear that after a potential win against Costa, that he wants a title shot and will settle for nothing else. On the other hand, Costa believes the fight vs Rockhold will not be a long one, and that he will finish him inside two rounds on Saturday night.