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

Two incredible finishes are sending @Leon_EdwardsMMA & @Vic__Altamirano home with POTN bonuses 💰

[ B2YB @BattleMotors | #UFC278 ] pic.twitter.com/kp81kLXlGx

— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2022

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.