UFC 278 Post-Fight Awards: Leon Edwards Earns Bonus for Hail Mary Knockout

On top of winning himself the
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title after
completing one of the most miraculous comebacks in UFC history,
Leon
Edwards banked an additional $50,000 for his efforts.

Going into the fifth round, Edwards was losing three rounds to one
on all three judges’ score cards before landing a left high-kick to
the head of Kamaru
Usman, and claiming the title in the final minute of the fight.
In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Edwards belted out
“look at me now!” in celebration of his first world
championship.

A gritty three round contest between middleweights Luke
Rockhold and Paulo Costa
claimed “Fight of the Night” honors, and they also will take home
an extra $50,000. Each man slugged it out for 15 minutes, expending
seemingly all of their energy en route to a unanimous decision
victory for the Brazilian.

Rockhold announced his retirement from mixed martial arts after the
fight, but he’ll exit the Octagon for a final time with a
post-fight bonus after earning his second career fight of the night
honor.

Victor
Altamirano was the final recipient of the performance bonus
after his first-round knockout of Daniel
Lacerda. Altamirano rallied back after being knocked down early
in the opening frame, moving to 1-1 in the UFC with the
conquest.