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
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 vs Usman
Duncan vs Morales – Round 1
Duncan catches Morales on the end of a right cross, which the crowd enjoys. Now Morales returns the favour, however, and Duncan retreats.
Duncan lands a body kick, and Morales tries to roll with it, continuing into a spinning back fist – but he misses.
Duncan is narrowly wide of the mark with a winging right overhand. Morales is staying alert; he pumps out a piston jab to the head.
Another narrow miss for Duncan, this time with a left hook, and he’s made to pay for it! He’s tagged with a punch and drops to his knees, but he fights back to seemingly drop Morales!
Morales claims it was a slip! The pair end the round grappling against the cage wall.
Morales then motions to the crowd to make some noise.
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Duncan vs Morales – Round 1
“Scotland” is the chant now, as Duncan starts on the front foot. His right ankle is bandaged, and he swings it towards Morales but misses.
The lightweights now trade simultaneous leg kicks. Morales then catches a body-kick attempt and drives back Duncan, but the Scot is able to wriggle free and stand.
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Lots of support for Duncan, whose name echoes around the O2 Arena as fans chant for the Scot.
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Speaking of Veronica Hardy, her husband Dan Hardy was in her corner tonight, and he’ll be familar to many MMA fans.
The former UFC commentator and welterweight title challenger joined the PFL this week, starting a role as the promotion’s director of operations in Europe.
He spoke to The Independent about the job:
Dan Hardy joins PFL to stop ‘madness’ of fighters ‘getting left behind’
Exclusive interview: The ex-UFC fighter and commentator explains his decision to become PFL’s director of operations in Europe
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Morales is the second Venezuelan to compete at UFC 286 tonight, with Veronica Hardy having emerged victorious in the first bout of the evening.
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Next up is Chris Duncan vs Omar Morales at lightweight.
Scotland’s Chris Duncan is not to be confused with Christian Leroy Duncan, who fought earlier tonight!
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Watch the moment the lights went out at the O2:
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Doctors are still checking on Patterson, whose nose is badly bloodied, but the Englishman is cognisant enough to hug his opponent before they exit the ring.
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Ashmoz sent Patterson tumbling with the overhand right, but he also caught the Englishman with a left hook as Patterson was on his way down. That second punch did most of the damage.
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman both made championship weight at yesterday’s weigh-ins, coming in at 170lbs, but there was a surprise back-up fighter, too...
Usman’s old rival Colby Covington, a former interim welterweight champion, also tipped the scales at 170lbs.
The American, 35, failed to dethrone Usman twice during the Nigerian-American’s title reign – once in 2019 and once in 2021.
But fans are theorising that Covington could be next in line for the winner of tonight’s main event, after “Chaos” was a surprise participant in yesterday’s weigh-ins...
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