Leon Edwards (20-3 MMA) and Kamaru Usman (20-2 MMA) will go head-to-head one more time at UFC 286.
The pair previously faced each other at UFC 278 last August. Usman appeared to be well on his way to earning a comfortable decision victory when Edwards was able to pull a rabbit out of the hat and produce the upset of the year.
With just one minute remaining in round five, ‘Rocky’ set his sights and fired a head kick heard all around the world. He knocked out Usman in emphatic fashion, claiming the undisputed welterweight championship.
Rocky just KNOCKED OUT Kamaru Usman!
@Leon_edwardsmma has SHOCKED THE WORLD and becomes only the second British UFC Champion ever!
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) August 21, 2022
Leon Edwards Vs Kamaru Usman confirmed for UFC 286
There was much debate surrounding whom Edwards would first defend his 170lbs belt against, following much speculation around Usman’s hand surgery and whether it could delay the trilogy bout.
However, there is no question now, after Dana White confirmed at the UFC Vegas 67 press conference on Sunday who the Englishman would be facing next.
When the UFC returns to the capital of England on March 18th in the 02 Arena, Leon Edwards will defend the welterweight belt on home soil against Kamaru Usman in the main event.
“Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman is now finalized,” Dana White stated.
This will be the UFC’s first title fight in the UK since 2016, when Michael Bisping (30-9 MMA) defended his middleweight championship against Dan Henderson (32-15 MMA) in Manchester, England.
The UFC president also followed up by announcing that Justin Gaethje (23-4 MMA) Vs Rafael Fiziev (12-1 MMA) would be the co-main event on the London card.
“Then Gaethje and Fiziev are the co-main event in London.”