Kamaru Usman insists that he is not done
He feels that there may be a fourth fight between the pair. He is showing a lot of respect in the octagon.
Leon Edwards looks to make the first defence of his welterweight title tonight in front of a sold-out crowd at The O2 arena in London as he faces familiar foe Kamaru Usman in the headlining act of UFC 286.
Edwards won the title last August by knocking out with less than a minute left in their rematch despite losing most of the fight. Now just the second British champion in UFC history, Edwards will be cheered on by the London crowd tonight whilst he attempts to prove his knockout win was no fluke.
The co-main event is set to have fans on the edge of their seats as highlight-reel fighters Gaethje and Fiziev meet in a lightweight clash. The main card fights will be streamed exclusively on BT Sport Box Office with the main event expected to start just after 10:30pm UK time - and you can follow them all right here...
He feels that there may be a fourth fight between the pair. He is showing a lot of respect in the octagon.
A monstrous pop for Edwards. He dismisses the challenge of Colby Covington at ringside. More interested in Gilbert Burns vs Jorge Masvidal.
Logan Paul and KSI announce new partnership with UFC president Dana WhiteLEON EDWARDS IS GIVEN THE DECISION! HE IS STILL THE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!
The crowd go absolutely wild as we approach round 13 of this historic trilogy! Usman and Edwards both know that a finish is the only way to guarantee this one. The challenger goes for the legs. Edwards counters him with two big punches! Usman trying the takedown still, Edwards defending and attempting to engage in strikes. This fight is probably heading the champion's way. We go the distance! Thirteen rounds!
This is anyone's fight as we approach the championship rounds, could be 28-apiece after the deduction. Usman is finding the legs now, but he can't have the success he would like on the ground. Another very tight round and this could be going any way into the fifth.
Round 11 of this iconic trilogy. So many historic moments already, is there going to be one more? Usman attempts to get Edwards down and the hometown fighter grabs the cage. Herb Dean takes a point and stands them up. That could be a massive moment, they both return to their tentative ways but now another low blow. Usman appears frsustrated, Edwards tries a big knee. Usman landing the bigger shots in this one, he may have clawed it back to all square with a 10-8.
False start to the round as Usman emerges just a little bit too quickly. And Edwards kicks Usman low, causing a brief stoppage. But it doesn't keep them too long. And now they're into it, both landing big in an exchange that gets the crowd on their feet in The O2. And halfway through the round, Usman gets him down. Edwards recovers and goes for a takedown of his own, unwise... The round ends on its feet and we appear to have a wide open fight now.
Tentative start from the duo. Neither throwing their big shots just yet. Edwards lands a solid counter and Usman attempts to lock up. Crowd get excited by a big Edwards body shot. And a good kick to the body from the Brit. Very tight round. Usman taunts Edwards as they head to the corners, but the Brit won that one.
They're chanting along with Bruce Buffer, the buzz has built!
The crowd go wild for their hometown hero!
For the first time in four years, six fights, Kamaru Usman emerges as the challenger. This crowd are not receptive to him.
The main event is here. The trilogy. Kamaru Usman walks first, Leon Edwards, the champion, walks second. The crowd do not like Usman.
Conor McGregor accused of "chickening out" of UFC fight ahead of comebackGaethje wins an enthralling battle. One judge couldn't pick between them!
They're swinging for the fences, Gaethje tags Fiziev BUT THEN A BIG SHOT STUNS GAETHJE! He recovers beautifully and it's right back to the action. Gaethje then lands a big one coming out of the clinch. Now it's Fiziev who is visibly slowing down and he's getting busted up by his rival's jab. Gaethje wobbles him with a big shot! Nasty uppercut. Right at the end of a big round for Gaethje, he lands a big takedown. Very close fight.
Gaethje with a little eye poke early in the round that causes trouble but they immediately go back to swinging at each other. They are both putting their combinations together well now. Fiziev wearing those leg kicks at this stage, but Gaethje is so good on his feet. We need another three rounds, not just the one!
Fiziev started the fight well by attacking the legs of Gaethje as the American started the slower of the two. Gaethje started to up his output halfway through the round as he was landing some good overhand rights. Fans were on the edge of their seats until the bell sounded, with Gaethje finishing strong.
This will be fun...
Justin Gaethje takes on Rafael Fiziev in a guaranteed slugfest, it's co-main event time!
Another submission win for Nelson!
Official result: Gunnar Nelson def. Bryan Barberena via submission (armbar) 4:51, round 1
Viking clap drowns out The O2 arena as the London crowd show their support for Conor McGregor's teammate Nelson. He takes Barberena down and is working for a submission but the American is doing a good job of defending. Nelson jumps onto an armbar out of nowhere and he gets the tap! A first round win for 'Gunni'!
Conor McGregor's longtime teammate Gunnar Nelson is up next as he takes on Bryan Barberena in a welterweight clash....
Big win for Jennifer Maia as she hands Casey O'Neill the first defeat of her professional career.
Official result: Jennifer Maia def. Casey O'Neill via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Maia is controlling the pace of this fight and O'Neill could very well be two rounds down. O'Neill is throwing the same combination but not having much success with it. Maia lands a few good leg kicks with a minute left to go. Late flurry from O'Neill but it likely won't be enough to get her the win.
Neck-and-neck between these two women on the feet with neither fighter going for any takedowns. O'Neill looks a bit flat footed whilst Maia is bouncing around the cage Maia presses O'Neill against the fence but she does a good job of breaking free, another close round but Maia probably just edged it,
Some good kicks to the body early on from O'Neill. Maia is a game contender and is matching the output of O'Neill on the feet. Close start to the fight and a tough round to score.
Scotland's Casey O'Neill is up next at UFC 286 as she takes on former title challenger Jennifer Maia in a women's flyweight fight!
What?! Fans at The O2 arena are booing as Vettori gets the nod by split decision, what a bizarre outcome.
Official result: Marvin Vettori def. Roman Dolidze via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Arrivederci, London!
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 18, 2023
@MarvinVettori sees off the tough challenge of Roman Dolidze to get the decision!
Watch #UFC286 LIVE NOW on @BTSport Box Office! pic.twitter.com/2m2a932jJ6
Vettori is getting desperate here as Dolidze seemingly knows he is two rounds up. The Georgian isn't getting careless as he picks apart Vettori on the feet, who makes Dolidze smile after landing a big leg kick. They scrap it out until the final bell and Dolidze has surely done enough to get the win.
Both men pick up where they left off in the first with no sign of a takedown attempt from either. Dolidze is just a tad sharper on the feet as Vettori is playing catch-up. Good flurry from Dolidze and Vettori's nose is leaking blood, the Italian will likely need a finish in this last round.
Good flurry from Dolidze gets the attention of Vettori early on. A lot of intensity between these two middleweights, who have trained with each other in the past. Good left hand and low kick from Vettori.. Clash of heads briefly halts the action. Vettori's nose is bloodied up as the round comes to an end, good start from Dolidze.
The pay-per-view card on BT Sport Box Office is now underway!
First up is a middleweight fight between Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze!