Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman make weight ahead of trilogy bout at UFC 286
Leon Edwards defends his welterweight title against Kamaru Usman tonight, in the main event of UFC 286 at London’s O2 Arena.
Jamaican-born Edwards knocked out Usman in stunning fashion in August, taking the belt from the Nigerian-American to become Britain’s second ever UFC champion.
For Edwards, the result also marked revenge for a points loss to Usman in 2015, meaning tonight’s main event will round out a trilogy between the pair.
In the co-main event, former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje takes on rising contender Rafael Fiziev, in a fight that is almost guaranteed to steal the show.
Follow live updates and results from UFC 286, below. The event will air live on BT Sport Box Office in the UK and ESPN+ in the US. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Wood vs Carolina – Round 1
Wood misses with a one-two, and Carolina grabs her against the fence. The pair reverse the position back and forth.
They trade knees to the body before separating, and Wood just misses with a left hook. Now the Glaswegian lands an oblique kick to the knee of Carolina.
Carolina tries a spinning back elbow, the shot she was knocked out with in this very ring 12 months ago!
Alex Pattle18 March 2023 17:37
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
A great reception for Wood here.
Alex Pattle18 March 2023 17:33
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Next up is a women’s flyweight bout between Scotland’s Joanne Wood and Luana Carolina.
Brazil’s Carolina was on the receiving end of Molly McCann’s iconic, spinning-back-elbow knockout last March.
Alex Pattle18 March 2023 17:31
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
That docked point really cost Herbert!
Alex Pattle18 March 2023 17:29
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Jai Herbert vs Ludovit Klein ends as majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28).
Alex Pattle18 March 2023 17:29
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Herbert vs Klein – Round 3
Herbert is in control on the mat but can’t find the shot or hold that he needs. Klein does well to reverse the position, and now Herbert is on his back and against the fence.
The lightweights stand, and we’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
With Herbert having been docked a point, the best-case scenario for the Briton may be a draw…
Alex Pattle18 March 2023 17:27
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
“How times change,” Leon Edwards remarks. When the UFC welterweight champion ventures into the heart of the O2 Arena tonight, he will be doing so almost three years to the day after the venue’s veins suffered an untimely blockage.
In 2020, Edwards was due for a main-event showdown with former champion Tyron Woodley, only for the onset of the Covid pandemic to consign the fight to an ether of lost contests. “I was heartbroken, devastated,” Edwards says.
But how times change. And this, a defiant Edwards insists, is his time.
Read our interview with the champion ahead of his trilogy bout with Kamaru Usman tonight:
Alex Pattle18 March 2023 17:25
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Herbert vs Klein – Round 3
Once again Herbert has Klein against the fence and seems to land a low knee. We’ll have another timeout, and Herbert is docked a point! He likely needs a finish now if he is to win this.
We resume, and the Briton secures a tidy trip! Can he find a submission or mount any significant ground and pound?
He’s landing decent elbows at the moment!
Alex Pattle18 March 2023 17:24
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Herbert vs Klein – Round 3
Herbert with a nice step-in knee to the body. Klein replies with a one-two up top.
Herbert holds Klein against the fence and throws a knee, but Klein suggests that it landed low, and the referee pauses the action.
We resume, and it quickly becomes a firefight! Herbert needs to be careful here…
Alex Pattle18 March 2023 17:21
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Herbert vs Klein – Round 2
Lots of inside leg kicks from Herbert as the round progresses. The crowd is becoming a bit restless, though.
Klein backs up Herbert yet again and connects with a slick right cross, then a left hook late in the round.
Alex Pattle18 March 2023 17:18
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