UFC 286 press conference LIVE: Highlights as Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman face off
Re-live updates from London, where Edwards defends the welterweight belt against Usman on Saturday
The UFC 286 press conference took place in London on Thursday (16 March), as Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman came face to face ahead of their main-event clash.
Edwards knocked out Usman in stunning fashion in August, taking the welterweight title from the Nigerian-American in the final minute of their rematch – seven years after losing to Usman on points.
The old foes will square off once more on Saturday, in a trilogy bout at the O2 Arena in London, as Jamaican-born Briton Edwards defends the belt for the first time.
In the co-main event, former lightweight title challenger Justin Gaethje faces rising contender Rafael Fiziev, and both men also appeared at Thursday’s press conference in the English capital.
Re-live updates from the UFC 286 press conference, below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.
UFC 286 press conference LIVE
There is a small group of fans at the front of the crowd chanting, “Fiziev!” and “Fiziev, champ!”
UFC 286 press conference LIVE
Usman acknowledges the “Headshot, dead!” chant, laughing and nodding his head.
UFC 286 press conference LIVE
Now the crowd starts a chant of, “It’s coming home,” referencing the England football song “Three Lions”.
Edwards briefly joins in!
UFC 286 press conference LIVE
Edwards: “I’m going out there to show off. I know he’s improved, I’m not deluded, but I truly believe I’m the better fighter.”
UFC 286 press conference LIVE
It’s so hard to hear the fighters talking; the crowd is so loud in here!
UFC 286 press conference LIVE
One journalist mentions that Conor McGregor will be in London this weekend, potentially at UFC 286, and that the Irishman wants a welterweight title shot after fighting Michael Chandler.
Edwards: “As the king, I welcome all challengers.”
Usman also says he’d be interested in that fight.
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