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The co-main event of UFC 278 featured a wild fight between middleweights Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold, and it ended up being the end of the road for the former middleweight champion.
The bout got off to a surprising start when Costa landed a takedown on Rockhold, who many expected would hold the advantage should the fight go to the ground. Although Rockhold got to his feet after briefly being mounted, the 37-year-old had his hands on his knees as the round ended.
The former champion’s body language didn’t improve in between rounds, which set up rounds 2 and 3 where Rockhold alternated between looking extremely tired and throwing huge counter strikes. The fight briefly appeared over when Rockhold went down from an apparent body shot, only for the action to pause when referee Mike Beltran indicated it was a low blow.
Despite looking absolutely drained, Rockhold continued having moments of success throughout the rest of the bout. The former champion even managed to end the fight in top position while appearing to purposely smear his blood all over his Brazilian opponent.
Costa had clearly been the more active fighter and had largely controlled the Octagon, and “The Eraser” earned the unanimous decision in one of the wildest fights in recent memory.
Rockhold removed his gloves while Costa was interviewed, and the 37-year-old indicated it was the end of the road in his own interview with Joe Rogan.
MMA Twitter Reacts To Rockhold’s Final Fight
Although Costa walked away the victor, much of the discussion online was understandably focused on Rockhold’s retirement and the tremendous heart he showed in his final bout.
Even in that loss best way for @LukeRockhold to go out. So much heart but it takes two and @BorrachinhaMMA was so good tonight. Great fight fellas , happy trails my brother Luke!— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 21, 2022
Luke Rockhold left it all in the octagon ?????? #UFC278— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 21, 2022
Congrats to Rockhold on a great career! Let me know if you change your mind at some point ? ?. #ufc278— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) August 21, 2022
Absolute bat shit crazy fight. Unquestionable heart from Luke Rockhold. Respect.— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) August 21, 2022
Luke Rockhold purposely smearing his blood on Paulo Costa's face. An iconic moment in this lovely sport we all cherish. #UFC278— Nolan King (@mma_kings) August 21, 2022
Luke Rockhold has ran out of fucks and I'm here for it. #UFC278— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) August 21, 2022
I never expected it, but Luke Rockhold gave the greatest retirement speech in sport's history.— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) August 21, 2022
I can’t do this shit anymore. I gave this my all. I’m fn old. – Luke Rockhold— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 21, 2022
Luke Rockhold fights brought violence to the end. Happy trails to him #UFC278— Scott Fontana (@Scott_Fontana) August 21, 2022
Rockhold’s retirement comes following an MMA career that began in 2007 and saw him capture both the Strikeforce and UFC middleweight titles.
What is your reaction to Luke Rockhold retiring at UFC 278?
The co-main event of UFC 278 featured a wild fight between middleweights Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold, and it ended up being the end of the road for the former middleweight champion.
The bout got off to a surprising start when Costa landed a takedown on Rockhold, who many expected would hold the advantage should the fight go to the ground. Although Rockhold got to his feet after briefly being mounted, the 37-year-old had his hands on his knees as the round ended.
The former champion’s body language didn’t improve in between rounds, which set up rounds 2 and 3 where Rockhold alternated between looking extremely tired and throwing huge counter strikes. The fight briefly appeared over when Rockhold went down from an apparent body shot, only for the action to pause when referee Mike Beltran indicated it was a low blow.
Despite looking absolutely drained, Rockhold continued having moments of success throughout the rest of the bout. The former champion even managed to end the fight in top position while appearing to purposely smear his blood all over his Brazilian opponent.
Costa had clearly been the more active fighter and had largely controlled the Octagon, and “The Eraser” earned the unanimous decision in one of the wildest fights in recent memory.
Rockhold removed his gloves while Costa was interviewed, and the 37-year-old indicated it was the end of the road in his own interview with Joe Rogan.
MMA Twitter Reacts To Rockhold’s Final Fight
Although Costa walked away the victor, much of the discussion online was understandably focused on Rockhold’s retirement and the tremendous heart he showed in his final bout.
Even in that loss best way for @LukeRockhold to go out. So much heart but it takes two and @BorrachinhaMMA was so good tonight. Great fight fellas , happy trails my brother Luke!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Luke Rockhold left it all in the octagon ?????? #UFC278
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Congrats to Rockhold on a great career! Let me know if you change your mind at some point ? ?. #ufc278
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Absolute bat shit crazy fight. Unquestionable heart from Luke Rockhold. Respect.
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Luke Rockhold purposely smearing his blood on Paulo Costa's face. An iconic moment in this lovely sport we all cherish. #UFC278
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Luke Rockhold has ran out of fucks and I'm here for it. #UFC278
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) August 21, 2022[/quote]
I never expected it, but Luke Rockhold gave the greatest retirement speech in sport's history.
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) August 21, 2022[/quote]
I can’t do this shit anymore. I gave this my all. I’m fn old.
– Luke Rockhold
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Luke Rockhold fights brought violence to the end. Happy trails to him #UFC278
— Scott Fontana (@Scott_Fontana) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Rockhold’s retirement comes following an MMA career that began in 2007 and saw him capture both the Strikeforce and UFC middleweight titles.
What is your reaction to Luke Rockhold retiring at UFC 278?
Click here to view the article.
The bout got off to a surprising start when Costa landed a takedown on Rockhold, who many expected would hold the advantage should the fight go to the ground. Although Rockhold got to his feet after briefly being mounted, the 37-year-old had his hands on his knees as the round ended.
The former champion’s body language didn’t improve in between rounds, which set up rounds 2 and 3 where Rockhold alternated between looking extremely tired and throwing huge counter strikes. The fight briefly appeared over when Rockhold went down from an apparent body shot, only for the action to pause when referee Mike Beltran indicated it was a low blow.
Despite looking absolutely drained, Rockhold continued having moments of success throughout the rest of the bout. The former champion even managed to end the fight in top position while appearing to purposely smear his blood all over his Brazilian opponent.
Costa had clearly been the more active fighter and had largely controlled the Octagon, and “The Eraser” earned the unanimous decision in one of the wildest fights in recent memory.
Rockhold removed his gloves while Costa was interviewed, and the 37-year-old indicated it was the end of the road in his own interview with Joe Rogan.
MMA Twitter Reacts To Rockhold’s Final Fight
Although Costa walked away the victor, much of the discussion online was understandably focused on Rockhold’s retirement and the tremendous heart he showed in his final bout.
Even in that loss best way for @LukeRockhold to go out. So much heart but it takes two and @BorrachinhaMMA was so good tonight. Great fight fellas , happy trails my brother Luke!— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 21, 2022
Luke Rockhold left it all in the octagon ?????? #UFC278— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 21, 2022
Congrats to Rockhold on a great career! Let me know if you change your mind at some point ? ?. #ufc278— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) August 21, 2022
Absolute bat shit crazy fight. Unquestionable heart from Luke Rockhold. Respect.— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) August 21, 2022
Luke Rockhold purposely smearing his blood on Paulo Costa's face. An iconic moment in this lovely sport we all cherish. #UFC278— Nolan King (@mma_kings) August 21, 2022
Luke Rockhold has ran out of fucks and I'm here for it. #UFC278— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) August 21, 2022
I never expected it, but Luke Rockhold gave the greatest retirement speech in sport's history.— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) August 21, 2022
I can’t do this shit anymore. I gave this my all. I’m fn old. – Luke Rockhold— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 21, 2022
Luke Rockhold fights brought violence to the end. Happy trails to him #UFC278— Scott Fontana (@Scott_Fontana) August 21, 2022
Rockhold’s retirement comes following an MMA career that began in 2007 and saw him capture both the Strikeforce and UFC middleweight titles.
What is your reaction to Luke Rockhold retiring at UFC 278?
The co-main event of UFC 278 featured a wild fight between middleweights Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold, and it ended up being the end of the road for the former middleweight champion.
The bout got off to a surprising start when Costa landed a takedown on Rockhold, who many expected would hold the advantage should the fight go to the ground. Although Rockhold got to his feet after briefly being mounted, the 37-year-old had his hands on his knees as the round ended.
The former champion’s body language didn’t improve in between rounds, which set up rounds 2 and 3 where Rockhold alternated between looking extremely tired and throwing huge counter strikes. The fight briefly appeared over when Rockhold went down from an apparent body shot, only for the action to pause when referee Mike Beltran indicated it was a low blow.
Despite looking absolutely drained, Rockhold continued having moments of success throughout the rest of the bout. The former champion even managed to end the fight in top position while appearing to purposely smear his blood all over his Brazilian opponent.
Costa had clearly been the more active fighter and had largely controlled the Octagon, and “The Eraser” earned the unanimous decision in one of the wildest fights in recent memory.
Rockhold removed his gloves while Costa was interviewed, and the 37-year-old indicated it was the end of the road in his own interview with Joe Rogan.
MMA Twitter Reacts To Rockhold’s Final Fight
Although Costa walked away the victor, much of the discussion online was understandably focused on Rockhold’s retirement and the tremendous heart he showed in his final bout.
Even in that loss best way for @LukeRockhold to go out. So much heart but it takes two and @BorrachinhaMMA was so good tonight. Great fight fellas , happy trails my brother Luke!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Luke Rockhold left it all in the octagon ?????? #UFC278
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Congrats to Rockhold on a great career! Let me know if you change your mind at some point ? ?. #ufc278
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Absolute bat shit crazy fight. Unquestionable heart from Luke Rockhold. Respect.
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Luke Rockhold purposely smearing his blood on Paulo Costa's face. An iconic moment in this lovely sport we all cherish. #UFC278
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Luke Rockhold has ran out of fucks and I'm here for it. #UFC278
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) August 21, 2022[/quote]
I never expected it, but Luke Rockhold gave the greatest retirement speech in sport's history.
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) August 21, 2022[/quote]
I can’t do this shit anymore. I gave this my all. I’m fn old.
– Luke Rockhold
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Luke Rockhold fights brought violence to the end. Happy trails to him #UFC278
— Scott Fontana (@Scott_Fontana) August 21, 2022[/quote]
Rockhold’s retirement comes following an MMA career that began in 2007 and saw him capture both the Strikeforce and UFC middleweight titles.
What is your reaction to Luke Rockhold retiring at UFC 278?
Click here to view the article.
