Final Combating Championship (UFC) returns to the pay-per-view (PPV) market later TODAY (Sat., March 18, 2023), as UFC 286 goes down from inside The O2 in London, England. The headlining act will characteristic a trilogy battle as Welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, will put his belt on the road towards Kamaru Usman, the person he took it from seven months in the past at UFC 278. Within the co-main occasion, Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev collide in what is bound to be a hard-hitting affair.
How To Watch/Stream UFC 286
Begin Time (United States)
ESPN+ PPV fundamental card: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT begin on ESPN+ (order it right here).
“Prelims” undercard (late): 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT begin, streaming on-line by way of ESPN+ and simulcast on ESPN2 in america.
“Prelims” undercard (early): 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT begin, streaming on-line by way of ESPN+ and simulcast on Battle Move in america.
What’s Sizzling:
There’s nothing like a trilogy battle to interrupt a tie in a rivalry that dates again eight years. Usman initially defeated Edwards in Dec. 2015 in what was “The Nigerian Nightmare’s” second battle contained in the Octagon (Edwards’ fourth). Seven years later, “Rocky” received his revenge, pulling a rabbit out of his hat in a battle he was dropping 1-3 going into the fifth spherical. With one minute remaining within the battle, Edwards delivered the top kick heard around the globe, flattening Usman to win the 170-pound strap (highlights). Now, the 2 males will tango within the third (and potential remaining) battle between them to see who the most effective Welterweight on the planet actually is.
Regardless of getting knocked out within the rematch, Usman continues to be excessive on confidence going into the occasion as a result of he was, in any case, successful the battle in all aspects of the battle recreation, so there may be actually no motive for him to go in deflated. Edwards, although, feels that “The Nigerian Nightmare” is on his manner out of the battle recreation and he’s more than pleased to hammer one other nail in his fight coffin.
It’ll all come all the way down to who has made the most effective changes over the previous few months. Usman has proven that he has some ever-improving hanging to go along with his excellent wrestling, however Edwards, it appears, is all the time being neglected in the case of his standup recreation. The British brawler is on a 10-fight win streak and hasn’t tasted defeat since his loss to Usman, and he isn’t prepared to surrender his title earlier than he can really get pleasure from life as champion. Folks appear to be counting out Usman based mostly on on the rematch consequence, which tends to occur when a fighter is coming off a devastating knockout. That’s why this can be a enormous battle for each males, however more-so for Usman as a result of yet another loss might result in a downward spiral, and even presumably retirement.
Usman can take this battle to the bottom seemingly anytime he desires to, however I simply don’t see him doing that as a result of his ego would possibly get the most effective of him and he gained’t be content material with squeaking out a call. Quite the opposite, he desires to place an an thrilling efficiency whereas getting a convincing end. However he must be cautious to not get too overzealous as a result of Edwards has the boldness, the belt and the hometown crowd’s power behind him.
What’s Not:
Sure, Jack Shore is coming off a loss — the primary of his profession — however I’m a bit perplexed by the match up towards Makwan Amirkhani. That’s as a result of Amirkhani is coming off a knockout loss to to Jonathan Pearce and has misplaced 4 of his final 5 fights. Previous to his upset loss to Ricky Simon, Shore had gained 16 straight and his first 5 fights underneath the UFC banner. I’d have a lot relatively seen “Tank” get paired up with somebody not mired in such a giant hunch.
LIVE! Watch UFC 286 PPV On ESPN+ Right here!
CHAMPIONSHIP TRILOGY! Final Combating Championship (UFC) returns to The O2 in London England, on Sat., March 18, 2023, with newly-minted Welterweight kingpin, Leon Edwards, operating it again with former 170-pound champion, Kamaru Usman, for a 3rd (and sure remaining) time. In UFC 286’s pay-per-view (PPV) co-main occasion, all-action Light-weight knockout artists, Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev, will lock horns with the winner inching nearer to a future Light-weight title shot.
Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching motion!
Authentic Card Vs. Precise Card:
Gunnar Nelson was initially set to face Daniel Rodriguez earlier than “D-Rod” pulled out of the battle for undisclosed causes. Consequently, Bryan Barberena agreed to take the battle. It’s been a complete 12 months since we’ve seen “Gunni” in motion, snapping his two-fight win streak with a win over Takashi Soto in March 2022. It was a sensible transfer on Barberena’s half to take the battle, particularly since he’s coming off a submission loss to Rafael dos Anjos. So, if he can take out Nelson it’ll assist him erase the reminiscence of the defeat and earn him some factors with matchmakers.
Accidents:
Nathaniel Wooden was pressured out of his scheduled Featherweight showdown towards Lerone Murphy with a gnarly leg damage, and was in the end changed by UFC newcomer, Gabriel Santos. Michal Figlak suffered an undisclosed damage and had no different alternative however to withdraw from his battle towards Chris Duncan. Consequently, Omar Morales agreed to step in on quick discover. Morales is hoping to snap his two-fight dropping streak and spoil Duncan’s UFC debut within the course of.
New Blood:
As we talked about earlier, Chris Duncan lastly received his likelihood on the large present after two stints on Contender Collection. The previous Bellator veteran has a formidable 9-1 report, whereas his foe — Omar Morales — is in dire want of a win after dropping two straight and three of 4 total. Kudos to Morales for taking the battle, however he wants to obtain a win if he desires to stay a UFC fighter … even when he did the promotion a stable.
Former Legacy Combating Alliance (LFA) Featherweight contender, Gabriel Santos, will try and run up his undefeated report to 11-0 when he battles Lerone Murphy, who’s equally as sizzling, coming into the occasion with an 11-0-1 report, together with going 4-0 contained in the Octagon. That mentioned, Murphy hasn’t competed since Nov. 2021, so it stays to be seen if cage corrosion ring rust shall be an element.
In brief, somebody’s “O” goes to go on this battle of rising prospects.
Former Cage Warriors Middleweight champion, Christian Leroy Duncan, is bringing his abilities and his undefeated (7-0) report to the eight-walled cage towards Dusko Todorovic, who’s a fair 3-3 since making his manner out of Contender Collection. Duncan is a ending machine, stopping six of his seven opponents, three within the first spherical.
Sam Patterson and Yanal Ashmoz will face off in a Light-weight scrap that may characteristic two gifted prospects seeking to make some noise in a rush. Patterson is 10-1-1 and is using a six-fight win streak. His submission win over Vinicius Sacchelli Cenci on Contender Collection was ok to earn him a UFC contract, and now desires to take advantage of it towards a former Skilled Fighters League (PFL) veteran. Ashmoz is 6-0 in his younger fight profession, with 5 of these victories coming by means of stoppage, three knockouts and two submissions.
Jafel Filho continued his ending methods when he received the chance to point out off his expertise on Contender Collection, submitting Roybert Echeverria to earn a contract. It was his fifth straight stoppage victory. The truth is, he has completed 13 of his 14 fights, so he’s all enterprise and no fluff as soon as the cage door slams shut. Standing in his manner is Muhammad Mokaev, who’s undefeated (9-0, 3-0 contained in the Octagon). Mokaev has proven he’s received the products to make some noise on the large stage, so if Filho can cease his momentum he’ll make a right away affect.
How The ‘Prelims’ Look:
Veronica Macedo has had a tumultuous run up to now contained in the Octagon, arising quick in 4 of her 5 alternatives. Her opponent, Juliana Miller, is just 4 fights deep into her skilled combined martial arts (MMA) profession. Whereas it might seem to be the promotion is giving Macedo a layup, it’s something however as a result of Miller has completed all three of her opponents.
Ludovit Klein appears to be choosing up some steam after he misplaced two in a row, incomes back-to-back wins towards Devonte Smith and Mason Jones. Jai Herbert, in the meantime, has been relatively inconsistent in the case of racking up the wins contained in the Octagon, going 2-3 up to now throughout his run. One thing has received to offer once they throw down in a Light-weight bout.
Within the Flyweight division, Jake Hadley will face Malcom Gordon, who’s coming off a loss to the aforementioned Mokaev, bringing his report to 2-3, which has prevented him from making any form of affect. Hadley, in the meantime, is simply 1-1 up to now in his younger UFC profession, stumbling out of the gates in his debut bout towards Allan Nascimento. He turned it round in his sophomore effort towards Carlos Candelario and now appears to construct on that momentum towards a five-fight UFC veteran.
Who Wants A Win Badly:
There was a time when Joanne Wooden was thought of a possible title contender by some. In all actuality, she by no means actually mustered up sufficient wins collectively to be put into that dialog. Over the past two years, Wooden has dropped three in a row and is a paltry 1-4 in her final 5 fights. Now, the soft-spoken scrapper faces a do-or-die scenario going into her battle towards Luana Carolina. Talking of which, Carolina will look to bounce again herself after getting knocked out by Molly McCann multiple 12 months in the past.
Curiosity Stage: 8/10
UFC 286’s co-main occasion is well the favourite to steal the present and are available away with post-fight bonuses as a result of it’ll characteristic two of probably the most thrilling and violent fighters at 155 kilos as Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev will go blow-for-blow.
Gaethje is simply 1-2 over his final three contests and was final seen getting choked out by former division champion, Charles Oliveira, at UFC 274 (highlights). At present holding the No. 3 spot within the division, Gaethje wants a win right here to keep away from falling out of the Prime 5 and drifting away farther from title rivalry. However, that is a fair greater alternative for Fiziev, who has gained six straight fights, three by way of knockout. If Fiziev could make a press release right here he might discover himself within the Prime 5 since will probably be the largest win of his profession so far.
Within the girls’s Flyweight division, Jennifer Maia and Casey O’Neill will meet within the heart of the cage. Maia snapped her two-fight dropping streak by getting handed Maryna Moroz in Nov. 2022. That helped her keep within the Prime 15, however she could have a troublesome problem forward of her as she faces a rising, undefeated contender in O’Neill. At 9-0, 4-0 UFC, O-Neill is outdoors of the Prime 10 wanting in, however might make main waves if she will get via a former title contender.
Kicking off the PPV fundamental card shall be a hard-hitting Middleweight affair between Roman Dolidze and Marvin Vettori. Dolidze is on the rise after successful 4 straight to enhance his UFC report to 6-1, inching nearer to the Prime 5. Vettori ultimately reached a title battle after placing collectively 5 straight spectacular wins, however got here up quick towards former champion, Israel Adesanya. He tried his luck at Gentle Heavyweight and defeated Paulo Costa in his subsequent outing, solely to lose to Robert Whittaker in his transfer again all the way down to 185 kilos.
This can be a essential battle for each, however Dolidze has a giant alternative to make an enormous soar within the rankings as a result of defeating a former title challenger will elevate his inventory and, typically, take that rankings spot. “The Italian Dream” is ranked No. 4, so for Dolidze it’s a win-win scenario all the best way round. For Vettori, it’s his likelihood to remind the division why made it to the large dance and is ready for a statement-making efficiency.
Benefit from the fights!
Full UFC 286 Battle Card:
UFC 286 PPV Primary Occasion On ESPN+:
170 lbs.: UFC Welterweight champion Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman
UFC 286 PPV Primary Card On ESPN+ (5 p.m. ET):
155 lbs.: Rafael Fiziev vs. Justin Gaethje170 lbs.: Gunnar Nelson vs. Bryan Barberena125 lbs.: Jennifer Maia vs. Casey O’Neill185 lbs.: Roman Dolidze vs. Marvin Vettori
UFC 286 ‘Prelims’ Card On ESPN2, ESPN+ (3 p.m. ET):
145 lbs.: Makwan Amirkhani vs. Jack Shore155 lbs.: Chris Duncan vs. Omar Morales155 lbs.: Yanal Ashmoz vs. Sam Patterson125 lbs.: Jafel Filho vs. Muhammad Mokaev
UFC 286 Early Prelims Card On ESPN+ (1 p.m. ET):
145 lbs.: Lerone Murphy vs. Gabriel Santos185 lbs.: Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Dusko Todorovic125 lbs.: Malcolm Gordon vs. Jake Hadley125 lbs.: Luana Carolina vs. Joanne Wood155 lbs.: Jai Herbert vs. Ludovit Klein125 lbs.: Veronica Macedo vs. Juliana Miller
*Battle card, bout order and quantity of fights stay topic to alter.*
Keep in mind that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of all the UFC 286 battle card proper right here, beginning with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches on-line, that are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET, earlier than the PPV fundamental card begin time at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To take a look at the newest and biggest UFC 286: “Edwards vs. Usman 3” information and notes you’ll want to hit up our complete occasion archive proper right here.
