UFC 278 champion Costa defeats Rockhold:. Costa persevered through one of the most exciting battles of the year to return to winning ways.
Luke Rockhold, a former middleweight champion who was visibly worn out after a tumultuous opening round. He battled Paulo Costa on Saturday until the bitter end and came dangerously close to a dramatic stoppage in the last round.
UFC 278 champion Costa defeats Rockhold
After a unanimous decision loss to Costa (14-2) with identical judges’ scores of 30-27, the 37-year-old Rockhold (16-6) would declare his career over. According to CBS Sports, Costa won the fight 29–28.
The Brazilian heavyweight’s loss ended a two-fight losing streak that included a self-immolation attempt to win Israel Adesanya’s 185-pound title in 2020. But Rockhold soon emerged as the bout’s star as he laid his hands on his knees in weariness midway through Round 2 to concede defeat for the third time in a row. This was Rockhold’s first fight since 2019.
After the bout, a visibly upset Rockhold broke down in tears before telling Joe Rogan that. After a successful 15-year career, he had decided to retire.
Rockhold admitted, “I’ve been through so much the last three years.” “I like the UFC, but I absolutely cannot continue doing this garbage. I did my absolute best, but I’m f—-ing old.”
Midway through Round 1, Costa injured Rockhold, who repeatedly punched him in the nose with his right hand. Surprisingly, Costa attempted a swift takedown, forcing him to mount. Rockhold rallied for a four-pack of powerful kicks to the body towards the finish. But by the time the five minutes were up, he was so worn out. A situation that foreshadowed the one in which he would find himself after Round 2.
Rockhold, on the other hand, started to load up on every strike and steadily timed Costa with a counter left hooks and spinning kicks to the body. In Round 2, Rockhold appeared to be in danger of losing before Costa’s strike to the crotch allowed him a chance to regroup.
Costa exclaimed, “This enthusiasm came through from this audience and it was incredible.” “I last engaged in a public brawl in 2019 with [Yoel] Romero. Both that battle and this one were wars.”
The third round was the wildest one to date. Rockhold threw punches poorly and nearly overturned twice. However, he later exploded with a large left palm that took blood from Costa’s swelling face after screaming “f—- you” at Costa.
Rockhold attempted a desperate takedown, but Costa thwarted it. He then threatened to strangle Rockhold from behind, but Rockhold dramatically recovered to change positions and end the round. In the waning seconds, Rockhold even garnered applause by rubbing his bleeding face against Costa’s head.
Costa remarked, “He surprised me. “He produced numerous shots on the chin and the face. He has a good chin, despite the common misconception that he doesn’t.”
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