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 make weight ahead of trilogy bout at UFC 286

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

• Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 headlines UFC 286 on Saturday
• Both fighters make weight – as does surprise back-up Colby Covington
• 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
• Malcolm Gordon is only fighter to miss weight and will not try again

[17 March 2023 08:00 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 weigh-ins LIVE

The UFC 286 weigh-ins take place in London today, ahead of Saturday’s main event between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.

Edwards, who took the welterweight title from Usman with a stunning head kick in August, makes his first defence of the belt as the pair square off at the O2 Arena. The bout marks the third clash between Edwards and the “Nigerian Nightmare”, who outpointed the Jamaican-born Briton in 2015.

In the co-main event, former lightweight title challenger Justin Gaethje faces rising contender Rafael Fiziev.

All four men will tip the scales in the English capital today, as will all of the other competitors involved at UFC 286.

Leon Edwards (right) and Kamaru Usman ahead of their 2022 clash (Zuffa LLC)

[16 March 2023 08:50 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 286 weigh-ins LIVE

And here is what Kamaru Usman told The Independent on Wednesday, reflecting on the moments that followed his knockout loss to Leon Edwards last August: