Much of the speculation surrounding the UFC 286 main event at London’s O2 Arena between champion Leon Edwards and former champion Kamru Usman on Saturday (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV) has 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 August 20 in Salt Lake City. That defeat ended a 19-fight win streak that stretched nine years, and cost Usman not only the welterweight championship, but recognition as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
On Saturday, they are going to do it again, deciding the score in the rubber match. Usman had won the first meeting between them in 2015, but Edwards scored a more significant victory at UFC 278 by knocking out Usman.
Usman is the -250 favorite at BetMGM. Despite being the reigning Welterweight Champion, Edwards enters the trilogy fight as a +200 underdog. The odds are not as wide as the previous meeting, where Edwards closed at just under 3 to 1, but it is clear that bookmakers are bearish on the champion’s chances of a repeat performance.
Justin Gaethje, who this week referred to himself as the most exciting fighter in UFC history, and Rafael Fizziev, one of the sport’s elite strikers, will square off in a key lightweight bout in the co-main event.
Also on the main card is a welterweight clash between Gunnar Nelson and Brian Barberena and a flyweight clash with former title challenger Jennifer Maia versus rising prospect Casey O’Neal. Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze square off in a top-ranked middleweight bout to kick off the pay-per-view.
UFC 286 picks, predictions
Kevin Eole: Edwards is a world-class striker and can never be discounted, but Usman has the tools to defuse Edwards and win. I will place 250 and bet on Usman to win.
Mark Drumheller: In terms of prospects, it looks like Usman will be strong defensively and return to his bread and butter here. That’s not to say Edwards isn’t a deserving champion or that his knockout should be remembered as a modern-day Matt Serra-Georges St-Pierre moment, but I don’t see him doing enough to eliminate Usman again or take home It is difficult to win minutes. a decision. After losing his title, St-Pierre was a more methodical fighter and used his wrestling to limit his exposure to damage. I expect Usman to use a similar strategy to win on Saturday and reclaim his title.
ufc 286 live tracker
UFC 286 Early Prelims, Odds (Start Time 5 PM ET, ESPN+)
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Welterweight: Leon Edwards (+200) vs. Kamru Usman (-250)
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Lightweight: Justin Gaethje (+200) vs. Rafael Fizziev (-240)
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Welterweight: Gunnar Nelson (-375) vs. Brian Barberena (+295)
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Women’s Flyweight: Jennifer Maia (+155) vs. Casey O’Neill (-185)
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Middleweight: Marvin Vettori (-275) vs. Roman Dolidze (+225)
UFC 286 Prelims Odds (Start Time 3 PM ET, ESPN+)
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Featherweight: Jack Shore (-550) vs. Makwan Amirkhan (+400)
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Lightweight: Chris Duncan (-115) vs. Omar Morales (-105)
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Lightweight: Sam Patterson (-275) vs. Yanel Ashmoz (+225)
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Flyweight: Muhammad Mokayev (-800) vs. Jafel Filho (+550)
UFC 286 Early Prelims, Odds (Start Time 12:30 PM ET, ESPN+)
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Featherweight: Leron Murphy (-185) vs. Gabriel Santos (+155)
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Middleweight: Christian Leroy Duncan (-225) vs. Dusko Todorovic (+185)
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Flyweight: Jake Hadley (-450) vs. Malcolm Gordon (+340)
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Women’s Flyweight: Joanne Wood (-175) vs. Luana Carolina (+145)
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Lightweight: Jay Herbert (+170) vs. Ludowitz Klein (-210)
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Women’s Flyweight: Juliana Miller (-500) vs. Veronica Macedo (+375)
