Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards run it back on Saturday night when the two UFC stars step into the Octagon for their highly anticipated championship rematch. Usman is the big favorite. But Edwards wouldn’t have taken the fight if he didn’t think he could turn the tables. Also on the UFC 278 main card is a massive bout between Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold. In addition, legend Jose Aldo steps onto the mat to fight Merab Dvalishvili. Check out opening MMA odds, analysis, and free picks for the five main card contests.

UFC 278 Event Info

Burning that midnight oil ????????

[ #UFC278 | Saturday | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/1eqEqg0alm ] pic.twitter.com/vjtV3OQWsK

— UFC (@ufc) August 18, 2022

• When: Saturday, August 20 at 7:00 pm ET
• Where: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
• TV: PPV
• Live Stream: UFC Fight Pass

UFC 278 Main Card Odds

UFC 278 Main Card Preview

Tyson Pedro vs. Harry Hunsucker

If 7-5 underdog Harry Hunsucker wants to have any shot of beating Tyson Pedro on Saturday night, Hunsucker must get the fight to the mat. Harry is a terrific 4-0 via submission victories. Hunsucker is just 3-5 in technical knockout or knockout wins.

8-3 Tyson Pedro is an inch taller and has a 4 inches reach advantage. Pedro hadn’t fought since 2018. But he won his last bout, a UFC Fight Night event on April 23. Hunsucker heads into this off a couple of losses. So although we’d love to go against the chalk, we can’t.

UFC 278 Pick: Tyson Pedro -800

Wu Yanan vs. Lucie Pudilova

Pudilova is the slight favorite even though she’s 13-7 and her opponent is 12-5. Pudilova has won 4-of-5. In her last, the chalk beat Carolina Yariwake Da Cruz via unanimous decision. Yanan looks like a step-up for Pudilova. But Yanan has lost 4-of-5. So even though she can win this, it’s tough to back the dog versus a strong, hungry, favorite.

UFC 278 Pick: Lucie Pudilova -120

Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili

At one point, almost every mixed-martial-arts fan on the planet considered Jose Aldo one of the top five MMA fighters in the world. Aldo hasn’t fought at a high-level for a while. Jose has won 3 straight. Still, Dvalishvili hasn’t lost since 2018. Aldo will give Merab a fight. But the underdog should slow down versus his younger opponent. Merab Dvalishvili is the pick.

UFC 278 Pick: Merab Dvalishvili -125

Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold

16-5 Luke Rockhold hasn’t fought since July 6, 2019. The last time Rockhold stepped into the Octagon, Jan Blachowicz beat him via second round knockout. On Saturday night, Rockhold decides to make his return versus a strong opponent. Paulo Costa has a sweet 13-2 record. Both losses happened in Costa’s last. But one of the losses was to champion Israel Adesanya. Costa takes this.

UFC 278 Pick: Paulo Costa -310

Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards // UFC Welterweight Title Fight

Usman, the UFC Welterweight Champion, is 20-1. The last time Usman lost, Barrack Obama lived in the White House. Since the 2013 defeat, Usman has won 19 straight. Kamaru has won 6 straight championship bouts. These two battled in 2015 with Usman winning a unanimous decision.

Since the loss, Leon Edwards has won 9 with a no contest draw in his last 10. Beating Usman is close to near impossible. But Edwards fought well in the first fight and has fought great ever since. Leon can pull off the upset victory.

UFC 278 Pick: Leon Edwards +290

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