UFC 286 press conference LIVE: Highlights as Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman face off

Re-live updates from London, where Edwards defends the welterweight belt against Usman on Saturday

Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman headline UFC 286

The UFC 286 press conference took place in London on Thursday (16 March), as Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman came face to face ahead of their main-event clash.

Edwards knocked out Usman in stunning fashion in August, taking the welterweight title from the Nigerian-American in the final minute of their rematch – seven years after losing to Usman on points.

The old foes will square off once more on Saturday, in a trilogy bout at the O2 Arena in London, as Jamaican-born Briton Edwards defends the belt for the first time.

In the co-main event, former lightweight title challenger Justin Gaethje faces rising contender Rafael Fiziev, and both men also appeared at Thursday’s press conference in the English capital.

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

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

• Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 headlines UFC 286 on Saturday
• UFC 286 takes place at the O2 Arena in London
• Champion Edwards and challenger Usman are tied at 1-1
• Edwards knocked out Usman to take the welterweight title in August
• Usman outpointed the Jamaican-born Briton in 2015
• Co-main event sees Justin Gaethje take on Rafael Fiziev

[16 March 2023 18:01 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

That’s all from the UFC 286 press conference!

Tomorrow, at 9am GMT, we’ll have live updates from the weigh-ins in London!

Don’t forget to visit The Independent Sport page then...

[16 March 2023 18:00 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

[16 March 2023 18:00 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

[16 March 2023 17:54 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

Anik: “This is one of the bigger fights we’ve had; I can’t f***ing wait.”

[16 March 2023 17:51 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

Usman: “We love this interaction with the fans, but once we’re locked in there and they lock that door, it’s just him and me – his heart versus mine.”

[16 March 2023 17:49 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

Fiziev acknowledges the fans chanting his name, by smiling and giving them a fist pump.

[16 March 2023 17:46 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

It’s starting to get heated between Edwards and Usman now!

Usman mocks the speech that Edwards’ coach gave him before the fifth round in August.

“You’re letting him bully you, son,” Usman says, mimicking the accent of Edwards’ coach Dave Lovell.

[16 March 2023 17:44 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

Edwards is asked about the altitude affecting him in the fight last August.

Usman: “What was the excuse for the first fight?”

Edwards: “What was the excuse for the f***ing head kick you got?”

[16 March 2023 17:42 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

Gaethje: “It’s the most violent f***ing game in the world that we’re playing on Saturday. This [talk] is all bulls***.”

[16 March 2023 17:41 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

Edwards: “I’m proud to be adopted by the UK, and I’m proud to be Jamaican, too. I’ll be representing both on Saturday.”