UFC 286 weigh-ins: Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman and back-up Colby Covington make weight
Re-live updates from London, where Edwards defends the welterweight belt against Usman on Saturday
Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman made weight for their UFC 286 main event at Friday’s weigh-ins, while Colby Covington emerged as a surprise back-up for the welterweight title fight in London.
Usman, who lost the belt to Edwards with a stunning knockout in August, was the first fighter to tip the scales, and the Nigerian-American came in at 170lbs. Jamaican-born Edwards emerged later, also at 170lbs, but not before former interim champion Covington shocked those in attendance by weighing in as a back-up. The American, who twice failed to dethrone Usman, also came in at 170lbs.
Saturday’s main event at the O2 Arena will be the third meeting between Edwards and Usman, with the latter having outpointed “Rocky” in 2015.
Meanwhile, the lightweight co-main event between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev was also made official, with both men tipping the scales at 156lbs. The only fighter to miss weight was flyweight Malcolm Gordon, who was 129.5lbs – three-and-a-half pounds over the limit – and did not make a second attempt ahead of his bout with Jake Hadley.
Re-live updates from the UFC 286 weigh-ins, below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.
UFC 286 weigh-ins LIVE
The official weigh-ins are done, with the ceremonial weigh-ins to follow this evening! In summary:
Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman make weight for the UFC 286 main event, with the welterweight title on the line – but former interim champion Colby Covington is a surprise back-up, and he makes weight as well!
The lightweight co-main event between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev is official, and the only fighter to miss weight is Malcolm Gordon; he came in at 129.5lbs for his flyweight bout against Jake Hadley and did not make a second attempt.
UFC 286 weigh-ins LIVE
Luana Carolina is the final fighter to weigh in this morning...
The flyweight uses the box and makes weight at 126lbs for her bout with Joanne Wood!
UFC 286 weigh-ins LIVE
Gabriel Santos makes featherweight, coming in at 145.5lbs. He fights Britain’s Lerone Murphy tomorrow.
UFC 286 weigh-ins LIVE
Malcolm Gordon, who came in at 129.5lbs to miss the flyweight limit, will not make another attempt.
He was due to fight Jake Hadley.
UFC 286 weigh-ins LIVE
Well, Covington won’t be needed – barring any late injuries... Leon Edwards makes weight at 170lbs!
His welterweight title defence against Kamaru Usman is official!
UFC 286 weigh-ins LIVE
The UFC tends to reward fighters who go through a weight-cut without a guaranteed fight.
Is Covington next in line for a title shot?
UFC 286 weigh-ins LIVE
Out of nowhere! Colby Covington, who has not fought for a year and has hardly been seen in that time, weighs in as back-up for the main event!
170lbs for the two-time title challenger!
UFC 286 weigh-ins LIVE
Julianna Miller is 125.5lbs ahead of her flyweight fight against Veronica Hardy. That one is on!
UFC 286 weigh-ins LIVE
185.5lbs for Marvin Vettori, whose middleweight tilt with Roman Dolidze is now official.
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