The UFC’s eighth numbered event of the year takes place Saturday with UFC 278, which takes place at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ABC and early prelims on ESPN+.
An unprecedented matchup takes place in the main event, with two fighters carrying UFC unbeaten streaks of 10 fights or more against each other for the first time.
Reigning welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-1 MMA, 15-0 UFC) will look to add to his 15-fight winning streak and match Anderson Silva’s record for most consecutive fights in the promotion without a loss, while Leon Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) brings a 10-fight unbeaten streak into his first title opportunity.
The last time they met, Usman won a unanimous decision at UFC on FOX 17 in December 2015, but Edwards hasn’t lost since.
For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about UFC 278.
Usman enters the event on an 19-fight winning streak. He hasn’t suffered a defeat since May 2013.
Usman is one of two fighters in UFC history to start 15-0 with the promotion. Anderson Silva also accomplished the feat.
Usman’s 15-fight UFC winning streak is the longest active streak in the company.
Usman’s 15-fight UFC winning streak is the second-longest in company history behind Silva (16).
Usman’s 15-fight UFC winning streak at welterweight is the longest active streak in the division, and the longest overall in divisional history.
Usman’s 15 victories in UFC welterweight competition are tied for fourth-most in divisional history behind Georges St-Pierre (19), Neil Magny (19) and Matt Brown (16).
Usman has defended 100 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC competition, the highest rate in company history.
Usman’s 12 takedowns landed at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale are tied for second-most in a single UFC welterweight fight. Luigi Fioravanti holds the record with 13 at UFC 82.
Usman out-landed Tyron Woodley by a margin of 336-60 (+275) in total strikes at UFC 235, the record for a UFC championship fight.
Usman landed 192 body strikes at UFC 235, the single-fight UFC record.
This fight reminds me of GSP v. Koscheck
GSP and Koscheck fought when neither was a champ. Just like Usman/Edwards
GSP won and then went on to become champ. Years later Koscheck climbed the ladder and earned a title shot against George and George dominated him even more convincingly the second time
Now here we are with Usman edwards. Usman became champ after beating Edwards and now Leon has climbed the ladder to earn a title shot. I believe Usman will beat him even more convincingly than the first time
Damn Vegi , You’re an MMA encyclopedia
Its odd how Leon hasnt fought anyone in the top 10 in his win streak
I know its officially a no contest but he was beating shit out of Belal and he has a win over Luque which was a good win. But yeah, not a whole lot.