UFC 286: Edwards vs Usman 3 Predictions & Tips – Saturday, March 18

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Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 Predictions & Tips – Usman To Regain Title At UFC 286

Leigh Copson

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Last updated: 13 Mar 2023

Leigh Copson 13 Mar 2023

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Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 tips for Saturday, March 18
UFC 286 is taking place at O2 Arena in London, England
Who will win the trilogy fight between Edwards & Usman?

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Kamaru Usman (Getty Images)

Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 Predictions & Tips

Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 Predictions & Tips
Head To Head
Leon Edwards Form
Kamaru Usman Form

Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 3 Predictions & Tips

Kamaru Usman is tipped to regain the UFC welterweight title.

Usman was winning on the scorecards when he was KO’d in the final minute last August.

So as long as he can avoid getting caught by one big shot, he is likely to come out on top here.

Usman won 5 of the 7 rounds across the 2 previous meetings
10 of Kamaru Usman’s last 14 wins have come via decision
Kamaru Usman is 6-1 in UFC welterweight title fights
Leon Edwards has never been stopped in his career (2 decisions, 1 DQ)

Head To Head

Edwards & Usman have 1 win apiece
Kamaru Usman won by unanimous decision when they fought in December 2015
Leon Edwards won by fifth round KO when they met in August 2022

Leon Edwards Form

Leon Edwards is the defending UFC welterweight champion with a record of 20-3, 1 NC (7 KOs, 3 subs).

Edwards debuted in the UFC in 2014 and got off to a mixed start as he lost two of his first four fights, with one of those losses coming via decision against Kamaru Usman.

He kick-started his career with a unanimous decision win against Dominic Waters in May 2016, sparking an eight-fight win streak.

That run included unanimous decision wins against Donald Cerrone and Rafael Dos Anjos, and a split decision victory over Gunnar Nelson.

Edwards’ streak was halted in March 2021 when his bout with Belal Muhammad was stopped due to an accidental eye poke, resulting in a No Contest.

‘Rocky’ got back to winning ways a couple of months later though, beating Nate Diaz by unanimous decision.

That earned him a shot at the welterweight title, and he took his chance when he knocked out Kamaru Usman with only 56 seconds remaining in the fight.

Kamaru Usman Form

Kamaru Usman is a former UFC welterweight champion with a record of 20-2 (9 KO’s, 1 sub).

Usman debuted in the UFC in July 2015 and quickly established himself as one of the rising stars of the welterweight division.

He won nine consecutive fights in the Octagon to propel himself into title contention, beating the likes of Demian Maia and Rafael dos Anjos by decision along the way.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ completed his rise to the summit in March 2019 when he dethroned Tyron Woodley for the 170lb crown.

Usman knocked out Colby Covington in the fifth round of his first defence, and then retained by beating Jorge Masvidal on the judges’ scorecards.

He turned back the challenge of Gilbert Burns with a third-round knockout, and in the rematch with Masvidal he needed little over six minutes to knock out ‘Gamebred’.

Another rematch followed as he faced Covington for a second time, but on this occasion he was forced to settle for a unanimous decision win.

That proved to be Usman’s last successful title defence though, as he was knocked out in the final round by Leon Edwards last summer.

Verdict

Leon Edwards v Kamaru Usman 3

Leon Edwards shocked the world last year, but it took a ‘Hail Mary’ shot.

Kamaru Usman largely controlled both of the previous contests, so he is backed for the decision win.

Usman by Decision

Method Of Victory

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