Ranking the fights at UFC 278

For sports fans, there’s nothing more exhilarating than watching the best of the best perform. Whether it’s LeBron James or Lionel Messi, Serena Williams or Tom Brady, the greats of every sport elevate the viewing experience.

So, MMA fans, welcome to UFC 278, a showcase for the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter in the world.

Kamaru Usman (20-1), who headlines Saturday’s fight card in Salt Lake City with a title defense against Leon Edwards, has won 19 fights in a row, a run of success that extends all the way back to 2013 and his third professional fight. Usman has won 14 times in the UFC, including five defenses of the welterweight championship he took from Tyron Woodley in 2019.

Edwards (19-3, 1 NC) has a tall order ahead of him, but he’s also on a hot streak. The Jamaica-born Brit is unbeaten in 10 fights since a 2015 defeat — against Usman.

The Usman-Edwards rematch is Saturday’s only title fight, but UFC 278 (ESPN+ pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET, with prelims on ESPN, ABC and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. and early prelims on ESPN and ESPN+ at 6 p.m.) also features a couple of former champions, an undefeated fighter and others of interest. Here’s one observer’s ranking of the evening’s top five attractions.

1. Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2

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