Welterweight Title Trilogy Bout set for UFC 286

Leon Edwards will have a home field advantage for his trilogy fight with rival Kamaru Usman.

After UFC Vegas 67 the news that the rematch for the welterweight title would headline UFC 286 became official. The event will be on March 18th at the O2 Arena in London, England.

Usman came to the UFC through season 17 of The Ultimate Fighter where he was part of the Blackzilians as they battled American Top Team. The first UFC fight against a non-cast member saw the “Nigerian Nightmare” out wrestler Leon Edwards for a decision win. Eight more wins in a row Usman captured the Welterweight title. Nine wins in a row including beating names like Donald Cerrone, Rafael Dos Anjos, Gunnar Nelson, & Nate Diaz; is what it took for “Rocky” to earn a shot at the title and his rematch.

At UFC 278 in Salt Lake City Usman & Edwards met for a second time. The tone of the fight was opposite from the first meeting nearly immediately as Edwards, known as a striker, would be the first to score a takedown on Usman. Usman would regain control with his wrestling for the next three rounds. In the fifth round as the fight remained standing Edwards followed a left cross with a left high kick, knocking Usman out cold in the final minute. The comeback upset knocked Usman from atop the pound for bound list and ended his title reign at five successful defenses setting up a high-stakes final meeting.  

 

UFC 286 lineup

  • Welterweight Title: (champ) Leon Edwards (20-3) vs. Kamaru Usman (20-2)
  • Lightweight: Rafael Fiziev (12-1) vs. Justin Gaethje (23-4)
  • Middleweight: Roman Dolidze (12-1) vs. Marvin Vettori (18-5-1)
  • Welterweight: Gunnar Nelson (18-5-1) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (17-3)
  • Women’s Flyweight: Luana Carolina (8-3) vs. Joanne Wood (15-8)
  • Flyweight: Malcolm Gordon (14-6) vs. Jake Hadley (9-1)
  • Women’s Flyweight: Jennifer Maia (20-9-1) vs. Casey O’Neill (9-0)
  • Lightweight: Jai Herbert (12-4) vs. Ludovit Klein (19-4)
  • Featherweight: Lerone Murphy (11-0-1) vs. Nathaniel Wood (19-5)
  • Women’s Flyweight: Veronica Macedo (6-4-1) vs. Juliana Miller (3-1)
  • Flyweight: Jafel Filho (14-2) vs. Muhammad Mokaev (8-0)

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