UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman result and reaction
Follow live updates as Leon Edwards defends the welterweight title against Kamaru Usman, after Justin Gaethje faces Rafael Fiziev
Leon Edwards retained his welterweight title against Kamaru Usman on Saturday, outpointing his rival in the main event of UFC 286 at London’s O2 Arena.
Jamaican-born Edwards knocked out Usman in stunning fashion in August, taking the belt from the Nigerian-American to become Britain’s second ever UFC champion. For Edwards, the result also marked revenge for a points loss to Usman in 2015, meaning Saturday’s main event rounded out a trilogy between the pair.
And Edwards made it 2-1 against his old foe, emerging from the O2 as a majority-decision winner after a tense clash in front of a raucous crowd.
In the co-main event, former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje edged past Rafael Fiziev, in a fight that was almost guaranteed to steal the show – and did just that.
Re-live updates and see all results from UFC 286, below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.
UFC 286 LIVE: Leon Edwards (C) def. Kamaru Usman
Interesting cards from the three judges there.
Every judge gave Edwards the 1st and 5th rounds and that was crucial with a mix of scores in the middle three rounds and Edwards’ docked point in the 3rd.
UFC 286 LIVE: Leon Edwards (C) def. Kamaru Usman
Here are the full scorecards from the fight (Edwards score first on each scorecard and Edwards was docked a point in R3)
Judge Ben Cartlidge:
- R1 - 10-9
- R2 - 10-9
- R3 - 9-9
- R4 - 9-10
- R5 - 10-9
- Total 48-46
Judge Chris Lee:
- R1 - 10-9
- R2 - 10-9
- R3 - 8-10
- R4 - 10-9
- R5 - 10-9
- Total 48-46
Judge David Lethaby:
- R1 - 10-9
- R2 - 9-10
- R3 - 8-10
- R4 - 10-9
- R5 - 10-9
- Total 47-47
UFC 286 LIVE: Leon Edwards (C) def. Kamaru Usman
UFC 286 LIVE: Leon Edwards (C) def. Kamaru Usman
Edwards pays respect to Usman, and is coy on a fight with Colby Covington.
Usman: "I think I did enough to win the fight, but I knew it was a close fight. Great gameplan [by Edwards]. I'm not done, I'll see him again.
"London, you've got yourselves another guy – a great champion."
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
Leon Edwards (C) def. Kamaru Usman via majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-47)
UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman
The decision is in.
48-46, 48-46, 47-47. The winner by majority decision is Leon Edwards!
THE BRIT RETAINS! The crowd go wild
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