This weekend at UFC 278, fans will be treated to a night full of stacked action from top to bottom in Salt Lake City.
The promotion heads to Utah in a summer blockbuster that has the potential to really shake things up in a variety of different divisions. From top to bottom there’s bound to be a whole lot of eyes on what’s going to go down on Saturday, as we prepare to exit the sunny months and venture into a tremendous second half of the year for the UFC.
Dana White and company will be hoping for a slam dunk and based on everything we’ve seen thus far, there’s a good chance that’s exactly what we’re going to get.
Today, we’ll be taking a look at a few things fans should watch out for in the Mountain West.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 09: In this UFC handout, Alexandr Romanov of Moldova (top) punches Jared Vanderaa in their heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images)
A new heavyweight contender?
If you don’t know, now you know.
Alexander Romanov isn’t a name many casual fans will be aware of but after this weekend, that could all change. The 31-year-old Moldovan has raced to a 16-0 pro MMA record and in the blink of an eye, he’s also made it to 5-0 in the UFC with five stoppages.
If he can get past Marcin Tybura and do so convincingly, you’d best believe he’s on his way to big things.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 19: General elevated view of the playing court prior to the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 19, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
The lively Vivint
This is just the second time the Ultimate Fighting Championship will be heading to the state of Utah and it’s the first time they’ll do so for a pay-per-view.
Anyone who knows what it’s like to be in the Vivint Arena for a Jazz game knows just how rowdy those fans can get and with this expected to be a sell-out, something tells us we’re going to be in for an action-packed evening - especially if the prelims start off hot.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JULY 12: In this handout image provided by UFC, (R-L) Jose Aldo of Brazil punches Petr Yan of Russia in their UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 251 event at Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 12, 2020 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Aldo shoots for the stars
Jose Aldo is a legend in mixed martial arts and that would still be the case even if he retired tomorrow.
Alas, that’s not the kind of fighter he is, which is why he’s hunting down a second world title.
ALL THE INFO: UFC 278: Date, Announced Fight Card, Location, Kamaru Usman and more
At the age of 35 many think he’s running out of time, but the Brazilian sensation has a three-fight win streak going with Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz and Rob Font all falling short.
Merab Dvalishvili is next up in what should be an absolute banger.
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 12: Luke Rockhold (L) walks away from a bloodied Chris Weidman after a fourth-round TKO in their middleweight title fight during UFC 194 on December 12, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
Rockhold’s last stand
Luke Rockhold has lost three of his last four fights via knockout, hasn’t fought since 2019 and hasn’t picked up a win since 2017.
All of that should add up to him taking on a slightly easier challenge in his next outing but instead, he’s diving back into the lion’s den with the always-dangerous Paulo Costa.
This is an unbelievably tough fight for the former UFC middleweight champion but it’s hard not to be curious about where he’s at both physically and mentally in his career.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 01: UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards face off on stage during the UFC 276 ceremonial weigh-in at T-Mobile Arena on July 01, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
History awaits
In the main event of UFC 278, one of two things is going to happen.
Either Kamaru Usman will tie Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in UFC history at 16, or Leon Edwards will become just the second British UFC champion after Michael Bisping’s triumph in 2016.
The stakes are insanely high and even though the two men have fought before, that was a long time ago - and stylistically this has the potential to go one of 1,000 different ways.