UFC 286 will start earlier in India than the typical pay-per-view timing because this time the UFC is in London, United Kingdom.
The welterweight title fight between champion Leon Edwards and challenger Kamaru Usman, who is also a renowned former champion, will be the highlight of the night. The two will fight in the Octagon for the third time. Edwards evened the score with a come-from-behind head-kick knockout in August of last year, certainly one of the biggest upsets of 2022. Usman had won their first match by unanimous decision in 2015, and Edwards had equalised the score in 2015.
Although the Edwards and Usman trilogy is consuming the majority of the pre-fight talk, UFC 286 has more to offer.
Rafael Fiziev, the rising newcomer and No. 6 contender in the weight class, will face off against No. 3 lightweight contender Justin Gaethje in the co-main event. Title implications abound in this fight, but more importantly, it appears to be a surefire barnburner on paper.
- Kamaru Usman (1.30) vs. Leon Edwards (c) (2.75)
Prediction: Kamaru Usman wins the fight
- Rafael Fiziev (1.44) vs. Justin Gaethje (2.75)
Prediction: Rafael Fiziev wins the fight
- Gunnar Nelson (1.28) vs. Bryan Barberena (3.60)
Prediction: Gunner Nelson wins or Gunner Nelson wins via submission @2.10
- Casey O’Neill (1.57) vs. Jennifer Maia (2.40)
Prediction: Casey O’Neil wins
- Marvin Vettori (1.30) vs. Roman Dolidze (3.10)
Prediction: The fight goes over 2.5 Rounds