Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold marked his return to action against Paulo Costa in the co-main event at UFC 278.
UFC 278: Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold
Round 1
Costa eats a nice jab from Rockhold. Rockhold goes for a kick to the leg. Takedown attempt from Rockhold. Costa piling punches on in the clinch. Big left from Costa lands. Costa gets a takedown. Costa doing a good job with his top pressure and strikes. Costa moves to mount position. Rockhold tries to sneak out and goes for a guillotine but misses. Big body shots from Costa to move to mount. Rockhold explodes to get out. Nice body kick followed up by three more. Spinning back kick from Rockhold. Rockhold lands another power kick from the side. Nice right hook from Rockhold.
Round 2
Nice left hook from Rockhold. A straight left from Rockhold connects, followed up by a big kick. Rockhold goes for a takedown, looking for the submission, but misses. Heavy body shot for Costa. Nice left hand from Costa. Good check hook from Rockhold. Heavy kick to the body from Costa. Spinning back kick from Luke. 360 roundhouse kick from Luke. Rockhold stung Costa with a left hand. Nice jab from Costa followed by a head kick. Nice right from Rockhold. Nice kick to the leg from Luke. Good body kick from Rockhold. Costa with a nice punch to the body. Illegal blow from Costa calls for official time out. Spinning back kick to the body from Luke. Nice low kick from Costa. Costa aiming for the body. Heavy body kick from Costa.
Round 3
Costa with a big body kick and short left hook. Costa eats a straight jab on a spinning kick attempt. Rockhold tried to mount but Costa pushed him off. Nice right from Costa. Big left from Rockhold. Big jab from Costa. Huge left from Rockhold rocks Costa. Twisting kick by Rockhold followed by a straight left. Rockhold goes for a takedown but misses. Costa takes side control and is looking for the arm. Costa gets his back and is landing light strikes. Rockhold turns around and gets on top in Costa’s full guard. Rockhold is rubbing his blood all across Costa’s face.
Official Result: Paulo Costa defeats Luke Rockhold via unanimous decision (30-27 x3).
Check out the highlights below:
To the second round we go!
[ #UFC278 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/hD8HR6leJq ] pic.twitter.com/6AwxvpBq3b
— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2022
Somehow we will see a third round!
[ #UFC278 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/hD8HR6leJq ] pic.twitter.com/uMYo6Vj8p1
— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2022
Rockhold is built DIFFERENT 😳
STREAM #UFC278 NOW ▶️ https://t.co/9Eaf451BCo pic.twitter.com/SxMV4uhdnw
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 21, 2022
We go the distance!!! #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/aNw5PCt2Hf
— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2022
A big win for @BorrachinhaMMA – how did you score that one? #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/PRxM0hVTtD
— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2022
