UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman result and reaction

Follow live updates as Leon Edwards defends the welterweight title against Kamaru Usman, after Justin Gaethje faces Rafael Fiziev

Moment Leon Edwards retains UFC title after decision win against Kamaru Usman

Leon Edwards retained his welterweight title against Kamaru Usman on Saturday, outpointing his rival in the main event of UFC 286 at London’s O2 Arena.

Jamaican-born Edwards knocked out Usman in stunning fashion in August, taking the belt from the Nigerian-American to become Britain’s second ever UFC champion. For Edwards, the result also marked revenge for a points loss to Usman in 2015, meaning Saturday’s main event rounded out a trilogy between the pair.

And Edwards made it 2-1 against his old foe, emerging from the O2 as a majority-decision winner after a tense clash in front of a raucous crowd.

In the co-main event, former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje edged past Rafael Fiziev, in a fight that was almost guaranteed to steal the show – and did just that.

Re-live updates and see all results from UFC 286, below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.

UFC 286 LIVE

• Edwards (C) def. Usman via majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-47)
• Watch: O2 Arena erupts as Edwards is revealed as winner over Usman
• Watch: UFC president says Colby Covington is next for Edwards
• Gaethje def. Fiziev via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
• Plus: All the undercard results live from the O2 Arena
• Watch: O2 Arena lights go out as fight is about to start
• Watch: Shore ‘didn’t want to take’ fight because of father’s chemotherapy
• Watch: Mokaev was ‘willing to let knee rip’ in nasty submission

[19 March 2023 00:18 · Luke Baker]

UFC 286 LIVE: Leon Edwards (C) def. Kamaru Usman

Interesting cards from the three judges there.

Every judge gave Edwards the 1st and 5th rounds and that was crucial with a mix of scores in the middle three rounds and Edwards’ docked point in the 3rd.

[19 March 2023 00:16 · Luke Baker]

UFC 286 LIVE: Leon Edwards (C) def. Kamaru Usman

Here are the full scorecards from the fight (Edwards score first on each scorecard and Edwards was docked a point in R3)

Judge Ben Cartlidge:

• R1 - 10-9
• R2 - 10-9
• R3 - 9-9
• R4 - 9-10
• R5 - 10-9
• Total 48-46

Judge Chris Lee:

• R1 - 10-9
• R2 - 10-9
• R3 - 8-10
• R4 - 10-9
• R5 - 10-9
• Total 48-46

Judge David Lethaby:

• R1 - 10-9
• R2 - 9-10
• R3 - 8-10
• R4 - 10-9
• R5 - 10-9
• Total 47-47

[19 March 2023 00:12 · Luke Baker]

UFC 286 LIVE: Leon Edwards (C) def. Kamaru Usman

(PA)

(Action Images via Reuters)

(Action Images via Reuters)

(Action Images via Reuters)

[19 March 2023 00:10 · Luke Baker]

UFC 286 LIVE: Leon Edwards (C) def. Kamaru Usman

Edwards pays respect to Usman, and is coy on a fight with Colby Covington.

Usman: "I think I did enough to win the fight, but I knew it was a close fight. Great gameplan [by Edwards]. I'm not done, I'll see him again.

"London, you've got yourselves another guy – a great champion."

[19 March 2023 00:08 · Luke Baker]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman - Leon Edwards (C) def. Kamaru Usman

[19 March 2023 00:08 · Luke Baker]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman - Leon Edwards (C) def. Kamaru Usman

[19 March 2023 00:07 · Luke Baker]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

Leon Edwards (C) def. Kamaru Usman via majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-47)

[19 March 2023 00:07 · Luke Baker]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

The decision is in.

48-46, 48-46, 47-47. The winner by majority decision is Leon Edwards!

THE BRIT RETAINS! The crowd go wild

[19 March 2023 00:06 · Luke Baker]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman

[19 March 2023 00:06 · Luke Baker]

UFC 286 LIVE: Edwards vs Usman