The exciting trilogy fight between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman will headline UFC 286 inside 02 Arena in London on Saturday. Usman will try to reclaim the UFC welterweight title against the homeboy, the current welterweight king Edwards. Here we bring you UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman 3, date, time, venue, fight card, predictions, and where to live stream.
UFC 286 Date, Main Card Start Time, Venue
- Date: Saturday, March 18
- Main Card Start Time: 9 p.m. GMT / 5 p.m. ET
- Main Event Cagewalks (approx): 12 a.m. GMT / 8 p.m. ET
- Venue: O2 Arena in London
The Prelims will start at 7:00 pm GMT before the main card at 9:00 pm. The cage walks for the main event will begin approximately at 12:00 am, depending on how long the undercards go.
The pay-per-view event will take place inside the O2 Arena in London.
UFC 286 Preview: Edwards vs. Usman 3
Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman will lock horns inside the octagon in a thrilling trilogy to settle who’s best once and for all.
“Rockey” Edwards conjured a hellacious head kick at UFC 278 last August, which instantly knocked out Kamaru Usman. With that, Edwards completed the revenge for his defeat to “The Nigerian Nightmare” of 2015 and claimed the UFC welterweight belt. The victory also made him UK’s second-ever champion.
The 31-year-old boasts a 20-3 MMA record (1 no-contest and 7 wins via KO/TKO), including 12-2 (1 NC) in the UFC. Nicknamed “Rocky”, Leon Edwards hasn’t lost in his last 11 bouts in the UFC since losing to Kamaru Usman in December 2015.
Kamaru Usman boasts a 20-2 MMA record, with 9 wins via KO/TKO. At UFC 235 in March 2019, Kamaru Usman beat Tyron Woodley to win the UFC Welterweight title. The Nigerian-American fighter defended the title 5 times before losing it to Edwards last August. The 35-year-old has the most consecutive wins in the UFC welterweight division, 15.
It remains to be seen if Leon Edwards cements his status as the top welterweight in the UFC or if Usman regains the title and spoils Edwards’ homecoming.
The UFC 286 main card will also feature a high-voltage lightweight co-main event between American star Justin Gaethje and Azerbaijan’s Rafael Fiziev.
It will be Gaethje’s first fight since losing in a bid for the lightweight title against Charles Oliveira last May. Gaethje’s fight will surely bring in a lot of thrill as he has secured impressive 10-post fight bonuses in as many fights.
On the other hand, Azerbaijan’s lightweight star Fiziev is on a 6-fight winning streak that includes stoppages of Rafael dos Anjos, Brad Riddell, and Renato Moicano.
Fight Card
Main Card
- Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman; For Edwards’ UFC welterweight title
- Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev; Lightweight
- Gunnar Nelson vs. Bryan Barberena; Welterweight
- Jennifer Maia vs. Casey O’Neill; Women’s flyweight
- Marvin Verttori vs. Roman Dolidze; Middleweight
Prelims
- Jack Shore vs. Makwan Amirkhani; Featherweight
- Chris Duncan vs. Omar Morales; Lightweight
- Sam Patterson vs. Yanal Ashmoz; Lightweight
- Muhammed Mokaev vs. Jafel Filho; Flyweight
Early Prelims
- Lerone Murphy vs. Gabriel Santos; Featherweight
- Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Dusko Todorovic; Middleweight
- Jake Hadley vs. Malcolm Gordon; Flyweight
- Joanne Wood vs. Luana Carolina; Women’s flyweight
- Jai Herbert vs. Ludovit Klein; Lightweight
- Julianna Miller vs. Veronica Macedo; Women’s flyweight
How to Live Stream UFC 286?
You can watch UFC 286 live stream in several ways.
- U.S.: ESPN+ PPV
- UK: BT Sport Box Office
- Australia: Main Event, Kayo Sports
- Canada: Bell, Rogers
- UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass
- India: Sony Sports, Sony LIV
USA
In the United States, fight fans can enjoy the UFC 286 main card live stream via ESPN+ pay-per-view. To get access to the live coverage, fans need to pay the PPV price.
UK
The Early Prelims will be available on BT Sport 1 from 7:00 pm in the UK. BT Sport Box Office will live stream the main card pay-per-view.
Canada
Canadian fans can watch the UFC 286 fights on Bell and Rogers.
Australia
Main Event and Kayo Sports will broadcast the exciting Edwards vs. Usman 3 in Australia.
India
Indian fans can watch UFC 286 live coverage on Sony Sports Network for free. The live stream will be available on the Sony LIV app. However, a subscription is necessary to get access to the app.
PPV Price: How Much Will Edwards vs. Usman 3 Cost?
The O2 Arena in London will host the electrifying UFC 286. The main card is a pay-per-view event, meaning fans need to buy the fight to watch live.
In the United States, the fight will cost $79.99 for the current ESPN+ subscribers. Those who are not ESPN + subscribers need to subscribe to the streaming service first and then need to pay the pay-per-view price. For the new subscribers, it will cost $124.98.
The event will be pay-per-view in the UK and will be shown on BT Sport Box Office for a price of £19.95.
UFC 286 Predictions
Here are our expert predictions for the UFC 286 main card.
Edwards vs. Usman III
Even if we put aside the stunning head kick in the 5th round, Leon Edwards did an amazing job. He, in fact, out-grappled Usman in the first round.
Granted, Usman dominated in Rounds 2, 3, and 4 in that fight, but we believe the current welterweight champ Edwards is at the very least on the same level as Usman, if not better.
Leon Edwards may level up his game even further in the seven months since beating Usman. On the other hand, Usman could be less durable and, worse, less confident. Edwards by unanimous decision.
Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
All the ingredients are there for a thrilling lightweight bout between Gaethje and Fiziev. The Azerbaijan star Rafael Fiziev is on a 6-fight winning streak, that includes stoppages of Rafael dos Anjos, Brad Riddell, and Renato Moicano.
Fiziev is arguably one of the best strikers in the division right now. We predict he will pick up an upset knockout win. Fiziev by knockout, Rd. 3.
Gunnar Nelson vs. Bryan Barberena
Nelson has been around for a long time. It will depend on how much he has left in his tank.
Though not in his prime, we predict Nelson will secure the welterweight bout with a submission victory over Barberena. Nelson by submission, Rd. 2.
Jennifer Maia vs. Casey O’Neill
O’Neill is one of the best prospects in the UFC women’s flyweight division right now. With her undefeated record in the UFC, we don’t see her stopping just yet. O’Neill by unanimous decision.
Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze
Roman Dolidze has great power and the ability to knock out his opponents.
But Marvin Vettori is an extremely well-rounded middleweight. He is more battle-proven. In terms of this matchup, we don’t see Roman Dolidze scoring a knockout. Vettori by unanimous decision.
