Bruce Buffer mistakenly announced a majority decision for Padilla when the scorecards actually showed a draw, with fighters learning the real result only backstage. Gable Stevenson, a protégé of Jon Jones, has signed a contract with UFC, and Jones hinted at a possible return. Paulo Costa impressed fans in his light heavyweight performance, looking the same size but with better endurance than at middleweight. Jiri Prochazka apologized for his loss, saying he lost concentration and was caught, and vowed to return stronger. Prochazka also mentioned returning home to witness a new life, apparently referring to an upcoming birth.
A chaotic finish to one fight, a high-profile signing, and a pair of notable performances headlined the action from the April 12 event, with several storylines emerging in the aftermath.
Bruce Buffer delivered a rare and significant error when he announced a majority decision victory for Padilla, only for it to emerge backstage that the scorecards actually reflected a draw. Both fighters reportedly learned the true result only after leaving the cage, turning what should have been a clear outcome into an awkward and confusing conclusion to the bout.
Olympic gold medalist Gable Stevenson has officially signed with the UFC, adding a decorated wrestling pedigree to the promotion's roster. Stevenson's signing comes with a notable endorsement, as Jon Jones — the 38-year-old heavyweight with a 28-1-0 record, a six-foot-four frame, and an 84-inch reach — has been identified as a mentor figure to the young prospect. Jones also hinted at a possible return to competition, though no formal announcement was made.
Paulo Costa, the 35-year-old Brazilian middleweight ranked 13th in his home division at 16-4-0, stepped up to light heavyweight and left a strong impression. Despite standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, Costa appeared physically comparable in size to his opponents in the heavier class and showed notably better cardio than he has displayed at middleweight, where he carries a significant striking output of 6.26 significant strikes per minute.
Jiri Prochazka, the second-ranked light heavyweight at 33 years old, absorbed a defeat and addressed it directly afterward. The Czech fighter, who stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach and holds a 32-6-1 record, acknowledged losing his concentration at a critical moment and being caught as a result. He vowed to come back stronger. Prochazka also made a brief personal remark, appearing to reference an imminent birth back home in the Czech Republic as motivation drawing him back after the event.
