Usman to defend title vs. Edwards at UFC 278

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will headline UFC 278 against Leon Edwards on Aug. 20 in Salt Lake City, the promotion announced Saturday.

Usman is coming off a unanimous decision win over Colby Covington last November in his fifth title defense. "The Nigerian Nightmare" is the No. 1-ranked men's pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.

Edwards will finally get his first UFC title opportunity on the heels of a 10-fight unbeaten streak. The Brit hasn't stepped into the Octagon since a dominant win over Nate Diaz in June 2021.

Usman and Edwards first met in 2015, before either was a top contender in the division. Usman won by unanimous decision. Neither man has lost a fight since then.

UFC 278 will reportedly also feature a middleweight matchup between Paulo Costa and former champion Luke Rockhold.