Author: Dan Hiergesell

It all goes down later today (Sat., Mar. 18, 2023) at UFC 286 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside The O2 in London, England, as Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman collide in a massive trilogy fight to crown the undisputed UFC welterweight champion of the world.

In addition to the trilogy bout, UFC 286 will feature a co-main event dream matchup between lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fizeiv. The main card will also showcase a middleweight affair pitting former UFC title challenger Marvin Vettori against streaking contender Roman Dolidze, as well as a welterweight scrap between perennial contender Gunnar Nelson and battle-tested veteran Bryan Barberena.

Take a look below at UFC 286’s complete fight card line up and start times:

Main Card (ESPN+ PPV)
5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT

Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman
Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
Gunnar Nelson vs. Bryan Barberena
Jennifer Maia vs. Casey O’Neill
Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze

‘Prelims’ Undercard (ESPNews/ESPN+)
3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT

Jack Shore vs. Makwan Amirkhani
Chris Duncan vs. Omar Morales
Sam Patterson vs. Yanal Ashmoz
Muhammad Mokaev vs. Jafel Filho

Early ‘Prelims’ Undercard (ESPN+)
1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT

Lerone Murphy vs. Gabriel Santos
Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Dusko Todorovic
Malcolm Gordon vs. Jake Hadley
Joanne Wood vs. Luana Carolina
Jai Herbert vs. Ludovít Klein
Juliana Miller vs. Veronica Macedo

Online

• UFC 286: “Edwards vs. Usman 3” PPV main card can be viewed via the ESPN+ streaming app.
• Subscriptions cost $6.99 per month. The UFC 286 PPV will cost $79.99 for current subscribers.
• UFC 286: “Edwards vs. Usman 3” undercard “Prelims” can be viewed via ESPN+ as well.

Television

• UFC 286: “Edwards vs. Usman 3” undercard “Prelims” can be viewed via ESPNews. Check your local providers or click HERE for instant access to ESPN.
• UFC 286: “Edwards vs. Usman 3” can also be streamed via Xbox One, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, and ChromeCast.

Tablet/Mobile

• UFC 286: “Edwards vs. Usman 3” PPV main card and undercard “Prelims” can be viewed via ESPN+ streaming app through Google Play and iTunes stores.

Bars

• Stay home, be safe. But, if you really, really need to go out and watch UFC 286 there is a list of bars near you airing “Edwards vs. Usman 3” right here.

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Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 286 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 286: “Edwards vs. Usman 3” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 286 fight card and PPV lineup click here.

One of the biggest trilogy fights in welterweight history will unfold later today (Sat., Mar. 18, 2023) at UFC 286 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside The O2 in London, England, as Leon Edwards puts his UFC welterweight title on the line for the first time in a main event fight with former titleholder Kamaru Usman.

It has been seven months since Edwards landed the head shot heard around the world to win the welterweight title from Usman at UFC 278. Usman was dominating that rematch fight before “Rocky” pulled the rug out from under his feet and scored one of the most iconic stoppages in UFC title fight history. It may have taken a little longer than anticipated to get the trilogy fight booked and ready to go, but we’re finally here. Edwards and Usman will collide today at UFC 286 to crown the undisputed welterweight champion and put an end to their bubbling rivalry.

Ahead of their main event clash at UFC 286, Edwards and Usman came together one last time at Friday’s ceremonial weigh ins (see HERE). After getting the crowd in a frenzy Edwards locked eyes with Usman in an intense staredown. That’s when both welterweights started to spew out some last-second trash talk. Check it out below:

“Let’s go!” shouted Edwards. “You’re f—ked tomorrow, bro.”

“You talking a lot,” responded Usman. “You talk now, huh? You talk? Alright. Tomorrow you’re going to do something? I want to see what you’re going to do tomorrow.”

Edwards certainly has more confidence this time around, but do you think Usman is dead to rights entering UFC 286? Will “Rocky” shock the MMA universe again and stop the former UFC champion in his tracks?

Let us know how you see Edwards vs. Usman 3 playing out tonight in London.

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Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 286 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 286: “Edwards vs. Usman 3” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 286 fight card and PPV lineup click here.

The Jake Paul-Bo Nickal brodown has officially started, as the two fighters came together this week for an intriguing sparring session.

As Paul gears up for an eventual move over to professional mixed martial arts (MMA) — which is expected to occur by the end of 2023 — he’ll be requesting help from some familiar faces around the combat community. This includes rising UFC middleweight sensation and former three-time NCAA Division I national wrestling champion, Bo Nickal.

Nickal is signed to Paul’s betting company, Betr, and had already expressed interest in helping “Problem Child” train for a move from the boxing ring to the cage. Fight fans weren’t sure when the two would connect on the mats, but it happened earlier this week.

Paul showcased the video footage during a recent episode of BS w/ Jake Paul, which can be seen in the above video player.

For the most part, Nickal took his time to teach Paul a thing or two about grappling. This included some takedown defense along with submission defense off his back. Nickal was obviously taking things slow with the professional boxer, but Paul was absorbing all he could. Paul returned the favor with some pointers in the standup department.

Paul, who has zero MMA experience under his belt, is hoping to compete under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner by the end of the year. The social media sensation is gearing up for a potential rematch against rival boxer Tommy Fury, but after that Paul could finally turn his focus on his PFL debut.

Thoughts? Can Nickal help Paul win his MMA debut or his “Problem Child” completely doomed?

Let us know in the comments below!

Kamaru Usman will be in unfamiliar territory tomorrow night (Sat., Mar. 18, 2023) at UFC 286 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside The O2 in London, England, as the veteran fighter competes for the first time coming off a knockout defeat and loss of his UFC welterweight title.

It’s no secret that Usman is one of the best welterweight fighters of all time, but the former UFC champion is trying to salvage his overall legacy this weekend in London when he meets Leon Edwards for the third time. Usman defeated Edwards in their first meeting all the way back in 2015 before “Rocky” shocked Usman with a head kick knockout at UFC 278 last year to win the 170-pound title. It is the only time in Usman’s career that he’s been finished by strikes.

Entering this weekend, Usman caught up with UFC color commentator and former UFC middleweight champion, Michael Bisping. The two shared a rather unique discussion about what it felt like to get flatlined inside of the Octagon. Usman talked about his recent loss to Edwards while Bisping referenced his legendary knockout loss to Dan Henderson back at UFC 100.

“I was the exact same way,” said Bisping (shown above courtesy of UFC). “I was in the back of an ambulance with Frank Mir, he’d just been beaten up by Brock Lesnar, and I was sitting in the back of [the ambulance] and I just went, ‘F—k! Yeah, I get it. I remember! I remember what’s happened. Damn!’”

As of now, Usman remains the betting favorite to win his trilogy bout with Edwards at UFC 286. The odds of Edwards finishing Usman by knockout again are as high as +500. Those are the same odds for “Rocky” if he wins by decision. Needless to say, the oddsmakers don’t believe Usman will lose on London soil and they certainly don’t believe he’ll be slept by another head kick.

What do you think?

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Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 286 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 286: “Edwards vs. Usman 3” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 286 fight card and PPV lineup click here.

Dana White is trying his best to steer clear of anything relating to athlete drug testing and special fight exemptions, but the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president was recently urged to weigh in on the ongoing battle between Conor McGregor and United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

In short, McGregor is trying to fast track his Octagon comeback later this year by skipping USADA’s mandatory six-month testing period for returning fighters. The last time McGregor was in the USADA testing pool was back in 2021 when he last competed inside of the Octagon. McGregor ended up seriously breaking his leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 and is just now on the cusp of a return.

Many have noticed that McGregor has bulked up quite a bit during his time off and now that the former UFC champion is trying to re-enter UFC with just two clean tests it’s beginning to raise some red flags. If not for fans then definitely for USADA, which remains adamant that “Notorious” must submit six months of clean testing before stepping foot inside of the Octagon again.

It’s a complete mess to say the least, especially since USADA still considers McGregor retired.

As McGregor tries to publicly expose USADA and ultimately get his way the specifics about his return remain a mystery. White was asked about the situation during a media scrum on Friday (watch HERE) and completely shed responsibility for how things have, and could, turn out.

“I have no idea. I don’t pay any attention to that shit,” said White. “That’s not my job anymore, and I’m happy to be out of it. Talk to USADA, I have no idea. I want nothing to do with the whole drug testing side of this business. It’s a f—king nightmare.”

It’s unknown at this time how McGregor will work things out with USADA, but it should be noted that he’s never failed a drug test in his entire UFC career. It is also unknown at this time if the promotion will try to get McGregor a special USADA exemption because last time they did Brock Lesnar blew up UFC 200 with multiple failed tests.

Jake Paul is not one to usually back down from confrontation, but the social media star had no choice but to flee the scene when Floyd Mayweather Jr. and a hoard of goons tried to corner him on the streets of Miami earlier this month (watch HERE).

While Paul is known for creating beef with just about anybody who lands in his crosshairs he wasn’t willing to fight a group of lineman-sized men to prove a point. “Problem Child” already shared some bad blood with Mayweather dating back to his hat stealing days, but it wasn’t the right time for both fighters to settle their differences. Mayweather knew that, but still wanted to try to strike fear into the heart of the social media star.

Paul, who made an initial statement about the incident, opened up again earlier this week during a recent episode of BS w/ Jake Paul (watch HERE at 1:00 mark). Despite his macho bravado, “Problem Child” conceded that he was a “bitch” for running away.”

“We got got,” said Paul. “It was like a full-on army delta force covert mission, bro.”

“I’ve never been caught lacking and I feel like such a bitch,” he later added. “I am a bitch. If it’s 1-5 dudes, let’s f—king go! Six or more? I’m good, I’m a bitch! I’m a mad p—sy right now, I’m not even gonna cap.”

Mayweather has caught a lot of backlash for confronting Paul with his entire entourage, but Paul has also caught some flack for not standing his ground. Most of us would have ran away well before Paul did, but he’s talked quite a bit of trash to “Money” over the years and fight fans were likely hoping for a more eventful outcome.

What say you, Maniacs? Should Paul have stood his ground against Team Mayweather?

Sound off!