UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman result and reaction

Follow live updates as Leon Edwards defends the welterweight title against Kamaru Usman, after Justin Gaethje faces Rafael Fiziev

Moment Leon Edwards retains UFC title after decision win against Kamaru Usman

Leon Edwards retained his welterweight title against Kamaru Usman on Saturday, outpointing his rival 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 Saturday’s main event rounded out a trilogy between the pair.

And Edwards made it 2-1 against his old foe, emerging from the O2 as a majority-decision winner after a tense clash in front of a raucous crowd.

In the co-main event, former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje edged past Rafael Fiziev, in a fight that was almost guaranteed to steal the show – and did just that.

Re-live updates and see all results from UFC 286, below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.

UFC 286 LIVE

• Edwards (C) def. Usman via majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-47)
• Watch: O2 Arena erupts as Edwards is revealed as winner over Usman
• Watch: UFC president says Colby Covington is next for Edwards
• Gaethje def. Fiziev via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
• Plus: All the undercard results live from the O2 Arena
• Watch: O2 Arena lights go out as fight is about to start
• Watch: Shore ‘didn’t want to take’ fight because of father’s chemotherapy
• Watch: Mokaev was ‘willing to let knee rip’ in nasty submission

[18 March 2023 20:56 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

Hollywood actor Miles Teller is in the building! He’s interacting with fans and UFC president Dana White.

[18 March 2023 20:55 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

Here are the prelim and early prelim results in full! Next up, the main card...

Prelims

Jack Shore def. Makwan Amirkhani via second-round submission (rear naked choke, 4:27)

Chris Duncan def. Omar Morales via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

Yanal Ashmoz def. Sam Patterson via first-round KO (punches, 1:15)

Muhammad Mokaev def. Jafel Filho via third-round submission (rear naked choke, 2:42)

Early prelims

Lerone Murphy def. Gabriel Santos via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Christian Leroy Duncan def. Dusko Todorovic via first-round TKO (knee injury, 1:52)

Jake Hadley def. Malcolm Gordon via first-round TKO (body punches, 1:01)

Joanne Wood def. Luana Carolina via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

Jai Herbert vs Ludovit Klein ends as majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)

Veronica Hardy def. Juliana Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

[18 March 2023 20:52 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

An emotional Shore says his father finished chemotherapy two weeks ago.

[18 March 2023 20:50 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

Jack Shore def. Makwan Amirkhani via second-round submission (rear naked choke, 4:27).

[18 March 2023 20:49 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

Shore vs Amirkhani – Round 2

A chant of Shore’s name rings around the O2. He gets into side control, then mount, and briefly seems to have a head-and-arm triangle.

Now he has a rear naked choke, and it’s in tight... Amirkhani taps!

What a win for Shore!

[18 March 2023 20:47 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

Shore vs Amirkhani – Round 2

A solid right hook lands for Shore, who then throws a teep kick to the body. Amirkhani’s face is reddened now.

This is an encouraging spell from Shore, who steps off the angle and lands another right hook. Now a left connects behind the ear of Amirkhani.

The Finn tries a single-leg takedown, but Shore is wise to it. Now the Welshman secures his own takedown, via a body lock!

[18 March 2023 20:45 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

Shore vs Amirkhani – Round 2

Shore with a decent, short right hand to the head. Amirkhani beckons him on, before slipping while throwing a head kick that is blocked.

Another scramble takes place, before both fighters stand. Shore ducks under a hook and clinches his opponent, throwing a knee in close.

Amirkhani is backed up to the fence but reverses the position before getting free. Shore lands a good head kick in the open! Now he sprawls well to prevent a takedown.

[18 March 2023 20:42 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

Shore vs Amirkhani – Round 1

There’s a brief armbar attempt from Shore, but he can’t secure the hold. Amirkhani ends the round in control, to the dismay of the O2 crowd.

[18 March 2023 20:41 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

Shore vs Amirkhani – Round 1

Amirkhani times a takedown well, and he’s straight into half-guard, then full guard.

Shore is holding the Finnish fighter in close, looking to neutralise him. Amirkhani pulls away, and Shore attempts an up kick before a scramble ensues.

Amirkhani is soon back into half-guard.

[18 March 2023 20:39 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

Shore vs Amirkhani – Round 1

Lots of feints from both fighters early on. Amirkhani stands southpaw.

Shore closes range with a winging right hook, but it’s really a set-up for a body lock.

The Welshman drives his opponent to the fence, but Amirkhani reverses the position.

Eventually the pair move away from the fence and exchange straight punches.