UFC 286 full results: Leon Edwards retains title vs. Kamaru Usman; Justin Gaethje outpoints Rafael Fiziev
Much of the speculation ahead of the main event of UFC 286 between welterweight champion Leon Edwards and former champion Kamaru Usman on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London centered around Usman's mental state.
He was knocked out by a perfectly set up and executed head kick by Edwards at UFC 278 on Aug. 20 in Salt Lake City. That loss ended Usman's 19-fight winning streak that extended over nine years, and not only cost him the welterweight championship but recognition as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.
So Usman entered the trilogy fight looking to regain the welterweight title and shake off the crushing loss, but couldn't get the job done in a close fight which Edwards won by majority decision. Two judges scored the bout 48-46 with the third scoring it a draw 47-47 after Edwards was deducted a point for a fence grab in the third round. Yahoo Sports scored it 48-46 for Edwards.
Justin Gaethje, who referred to himself this week as the most exciting fighter in UFC history, and Rafael Fiziev, one of the sport's elite strikers, fought an incredible slugfest in the co-main event with Gaethje earning the majority decision.
UFC 286 live tracker
UFC 286 main card results, highlights
Welterweight: Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman by majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-47)
Lightweight: Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Welterweight: Gunnar Nelson def. Bryan Barberena by submission (arm bar) at 4:51 of R1:
He's just too crafty on the ground 😮💨@GunniNelson with the armbar finish! #UFC286 pic.twitter.com/qDOp1FwtLm
— UFC (@ufc) March 18, 2023
Women's flyweight: Jennifer Maia def. Casey O'Neill by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Middleweight: Marvin Vettori def. Roman Dolidze by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
UFC 286 prelims results, highlights
Featherweight: Jack Shore def. Makwan Amirkhani by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:27 of R2:
Jack Shore makes his featherweight debut in style 😤 #UFC286 pic.twitter.com/ACYLIa257i
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 18, 2023
Lightweight: Chris Duncan def. Omar Morales by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight: Yanal Ashmoz def. Sam Patterson by KO (punches) at 1:15 of R1:
WHAT A COMBO BY ASHMOUZ 👊 #UFC286 pic.twitter.com/kdYGr4nkuE
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 18, 2023
MOKAEV GETS THE SUB 🔒 #UFC286 pic.twitter.com/sDvSrLK2go
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 18, 2023
UFC 286 early prelims results, highlights
Featherweight: Lerone Murphy def. Gabriel Santos by split decision (29,-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Middleweight: Christian Leroy Duncan def. Dusko Todorovic by TKO (injury) at 2:52 of R1
Flyweight: Jake Hadley def. Malcolm Gordon by TKO (body shot) at 1:01 of R1:
Hadley delivers the first finish of #UFC286 💥 pic.twitter.com/C1SUxjMgE8
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 18, 2023
Women's flyweight: Joanne Wood def. Luana Carolina by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Lightweight: Jai Herbert vs. Ludovit Klein ends in majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
Women's flyweight: Veronica Hardy def. Juliana Miller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)