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 17:41 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

There is a small group of fans at the front of the crowd chanting, “Fiziev!” and “Fiziev, champ!”

[16 March 2023 17:39 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

[16 March 2023 17:38 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

Usman acknowledges the “Headshot, dead!” chant, laughing and nodding his head.

[16 March 2023 17:37 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

[16 March 2023 17:37 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

Now the crowd starts a chant of, “It’s coming home,” referencing the England football song “Three Lions”.

Edwards briefly joins in!

[16 March 2023 17:36 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

Edwards: “I’m going out there to show off. I know he’s improved, I’m not deluded, but I truly believe I’m the better fighter.”

[16 March 2023 17:35 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

It’s so hard to hear the fighters talking; the crowd is so loud in here!

[16 March 2023 17:35 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

One journalist mentions that Conor McGregor will be in London this weekend, potentially at UFC 286, and that the Irishman wants a welterweight title shot after fighting Michael Chandler.

Edwards: “As the king, I welcome all challengers.”

Usman also says he’d be interested in that fight.

[16 March 2023 17:34 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

[16 March 2023 17:34 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 press conference LIVE

Fiziev: “[Gaethje] deserves everything that people say about him [being so exciting].

“I want the best Justin in front of me in the Octagon. I need the best Justin.”