UFC 287 Main event Recap

UFC 278: Usman vs Edwards 2

A Romantic Retelling of the                              Main & Co-main event

            1. This epic title fight could be summarized in 3 rounds. In the first round Leon Edwards surprised us all with a clean body lock and trip takedown. From there he landed in mount and worked his way to Kamaru Usman's back, lacing up a text book body triangle. Both fighters were still dry and there was a minute left in the round, the tension in the arena was overwhelming. Usman is a true champion though, he wasn't about to go out that easily. He fought the choke and we transitioned to the second round, collectively wondering where this momentum might take Edwards. Usman did better to pressure Edwards in this second round, but it was a fairly even sparring match and nothing spectacular happened. I couldn't care less who you gave this round to, but I think most people scored it for the champ. The next 2 rounds were vintage Usman, controlling him with takedowns and body shots up against the cage, very reminiscent of the Aldo vs. Merab contest just two fights before this. Entering the final round, its safe to say that Kamaru Usman was well on his way to tying Anderson Silva's record of 16 UFC wins in a row. 

            It's interesting to note that in between rounds, you could hear Usman's coach, Trevor Wittman, yelling "No Mistakes". It's like he anticipated this fight going off the rails if Usman got too comfortable... or God forbid, took a shot to the groin. Usman started the round by bullying Edwards up against the cage, showing off his superior gas tank and tucking us in to witness his impending record tying win. Referee Herb Dean was going to have none of that, he very curiously broke them up and restarted the fight in the center of the octagon, just enough space for Edwards to land that belt line groin kick. Things had officially started going off the rails. With a minute left in the fight and Usman barely managing to keep a grip on the momentum, Leon Edwards did something spectacular. 

            As Usman backed up a half step, with just over 50 seconds left in the fight, Edwards pawed forward his left hand. This forced Usman to his left, his power side. Usman leaned over just slightly with his hands near his chest and took the shin heard around the world. "Bang. Headshot. Done". Like fireworks going off in a library, the entire audience and everyone watching at home went from half asleep and most likely drunk, to springing out of their chair, sober and shocked. Daniel Cormier was just closing the book on Edwards' title challenge, all but showering Usman with flowers. Then a perfect left head kick, shin to chin, flatlined Kamaru Usman, a champion no more. It would be very difficult to express the intense emotion delivered by Edwards' coach in between rounds 4 and 5. A fire might have been lit under his ass, but his tired composure wouldn't let you know it. The ending to this fight was a shock to us, but the kick itself was just another day in the gym for Leon Edwards. 

            Key takeaway - Edwards power and speed lasted very late into this grueling fight, if he puts a little more work into his takedown defense, there's no telling what he might able to accomplish. It would be truly awesome if his first title defense was against critically acclaimed top contender Khamzat Chimaev, but you already know the UFC is itching to make bank off a gigantic trilogy fight, with Usman possibly having to challenge Edwards in England. 

           

             2. Short of taking shrooms and witnessing an alien invasion, the co-main event between Luke Rockhold and Paulo Costa was jam packed with a metric ton of strange, my head is still spinning. 10 years from now, the standout memory will be the final minute of this fight, but not because of the fighting. Let's start the retelling of this fight by noting that it took place at over 4,000 feet above sea level. For perspective, that's just short of Denver, CO. Denver being the second highest city in North America. That should help us understand why Rockhold, who trains at sea level, was absolutely gassed after round 1. No amount of preparation was going to save the 37 year old from bending over with his hands on his knees, gasping for air after dealing with the bull that is Paulo Costa. Coach Jason Parillo carried Rockhold to his corner after round 1, exclaiming "You gotta want this bud". There was nothing but panic from the Rockhold team. 

            The first half of round 2 was not too dissimilar from round 1, with Costa bullying Rockhold with hay makers and body shots up against the cage. At least a few times though, Costa stood still long enough for Rockhold to catch him with a heavy left hand. Either because he was tiring as well or because he likes to play with his food. Costa responded to the comeback shots, by bending down for a body punch, but instead hitting him right at the top of his protective cup. Rockhold collapsed in pain as the referee threw his hands up to pause the action. Costa misunderstood the pause and marched around the cage with his arms up in victory. Referee Mike Beltran reigned Costa in and allowed Rockhold time to recover. Upon restarting the action a minute or so later, Beltran barked "fingers, low blows, I'm not having this sh**!". The round ends with Rockhold reclaiming some sort of second wind as they exchange hard kicks. In between rounds Rockhold, with blood pouring from his nose, leans over once again with his hands on his knees. Parillo gently nudges him into the corner, sarcastically exclaiming "you hurt this guy when you touch him, or are you looking for some flashy stuff that will probably take a little bit of energy". 

            Summoning every last bit of energy he has left, Rockhold steps into the final round with an unsteady swagger. This is where the real chaos starts,  30 seconds in he rocks Costa with a check right hook, following him to the ground. As he overcommits to top position, Costa explodes to his feet. The two fighters volley feints and Costa lands a couple extremely hard right hands, which Rockhold surmised later might have 'punched his nose back into place'. In the moment though, Rockhold didn't receive it very well, responding with repeated F-you bombs and landing his own hard left hand on Costa. Costa stumbled back with increasing swelling under his right eye. Rockhold tried to catch him off guard with a half-hearted double leg take down, but to no avail. Costa sprawls right on cue and moves to take his back. He might have been too tired or he just doesn't have very good back control, but he somehow let Rockhold turn into him and unleash the nastiest B.S. fight fans have ever had the displeasure of witnessing. Rockhold saved the blood leaking from his nose in his mouth and proceeded to spit it all over Costa, using his forehead to wipe it in every crevice of his face. Mind you, Costa was smiling as this happened so you know he got some in his mouth. This is the strange I alluded to at the beginning. Holy crap! What in the world did we just experience? Would it be worse if the two fighters were to share needles? I was beside myself in this moment as the fight drew to a close.  

            Key takeaway - Luke Rockhold retired in the cage during his post fight interview, muttering to Joe Rogan "I'm done... I gave it my all, I'm fu**ing old". Then he kissed Joe on the head, saying "I love you Joe". What an insane way to exit the fight game. As for Paulo Costa, where he goes from here is as much a mystery now as it was before this fight. I would venture to guess he goes home for a very long hot shower and rethinks his interest in continuing with this bizarre fight game. He deserves a rest. 

fin.