UFC fans are gearing up for an exciting night of fights as the promotion makes its long-awaited return to London on Saturday, March 18, for UFC 286. The card is headlined by a highly anticipated trilogy bout between UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards and former champion Kamaru Usman.
The fight will take place in Edwards’ backyard, marking the first time in six years that the UFC will host a pay-per-view event in England. Edwards is looking to defend his title for the first time on home soil, while Usman is hoping to reclaim the belt that he lost to Edwards in a shocking upset last August. The two fighters have a history, with each having won one fight against the other. Usman won their first bout in December 2015 by unanimous decision, while Edwards avenged his loss with a fifth-round knockout in their last meeting.
While Usman has won more rounds across their two fights, Edwards’ knockout victory in their last bout gives him an edge in momentum heading into the trilogy. However, Usman is still the favorite to win the fight, as he was winning on the scorecards before being knocked out in the final minute of their last fight.
Usman has a wealth of experience in UFC welterweight title fights, boasting a record of 6-1 in those bouts. He is also known for his ability to win fights by decision, with 10 of his last 14 victories coming via that route. Meanwhile, Edwards has never been stopped in his career, with his two losses and one no-contest coming via decision.
Both fighters have impressive records, with Edwards holding a record of 20-3, 1 NC (7 KO’s, 3 subs) and Usman boasting a record of 20-2 (9 KO’s, 1 sub). It promises to be a closely contested fight, with both fighters having a lot at stake.
A highly anticipated lightweight matchup will also take place at UFC 286, with Justin Gaethje set to take on rising star Mairbek Taisumov Fiziev. Both fighters have much to gain from this bout, as Gaethje looks to hold onto his number three ranking against the surging momentum of Fiziev.
Fiziev, who entered the UFC in 2019 with an unblemished record, suffered a first-round knockout loss in his debut but quickly established himself as a serious contender at lightweight. He’s now riding a six-fight winning streak with three finishes and scored the biggest win of his career in his last fight, knocking out former champion Rafael dos Anjos in his first UFC main event.
Rollo’s Take
Kamaru Usman is one of the greatest champions in the history of the sport. Facing a champion like Edwards will be tough, especially in London. Yet in both fights Usman was dominating the majority of the rounds outside of two rounds in fight number two. Usman will learn from the previous bout and will not get caught again by a timed headshot. Fiziev is one of the hottest names in the lightweight division and I expect a barnburner of a fight against Justin Gaethje. But Gaethje will prove to be too experienced, dynamic and crafty for Fiziev, and this is why Gaethje will win this fight unanimously.
UFC 286 fight card,
Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards (c) welterweight championship
Rafael Fiziev vs. Justin Gaethje lightweights
Joanne Wood vs. Luana Carolina, women’s flyweights
Gunnar Nelson vs. Bryan Barberena, welterweights
Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze, middleweights
Nathaniel Wood vs. Lerone Murphy, featherweights
Jack Shore vs. Makwan Amirkhani, featherweights
Sam Patterson vs. Yanal Ashmoz, lightweights
Muhammad Mokaev vs. Jafel Filho, flyweights
Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Dusko Todorovic, middleweights
Jake Hadley vs. Malcolm Gordon, flyweights
Casey O’Neill vs. Jennifer Maia, women’s flyweights
Ludovit Klein vs. Jai Herbert, lightweights
Julianna Miller vs. Veronica Macedo, women’s flyweights
UFC 286 info
Date: March 18
Location: O2 Arena – London, England
Start time: 5 p.m. ET (Main card)
Where to watch: ESPN+ PPV
