UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 round-by-round updates

Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 round-by-round updates.

This is the third time that Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman have been toe-to-toe and this might be the fight that carries the most weight. Usman won the first bout, which took place in December 2015. Their second bout went just a little bit differently.

After dominating for nearly five full rounds, Usman was knocked out cold with a brutal head kick with just under a minute remaining in the fight.

Now, they meet again, in Edwards' home country to settle the score once and for all. Will Usman regain his title and prove Edwards just got lucky? Or will Edwards prove the naysayers wrong, proving he's not just a fluke champion.

This article will be updated between each round with the recap, please check back soon.

UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman round 1 recap

They didn't touch gloves to start the round.

The tension was thick to start the round, these two were not friends and had no problems letting the crowd know that. Edwards opened with a kick to the thigh of Usman. A left hand connected with Usman and they briefly clinched before returning back to the center of the Octagon. For a moment Usman backed Edwards against the cage, they exchanged jabs and then disengaged again. Usman was changing his stance throughout the round. A huge body kick landed by Edwards. The referee stopped the fight to admonish Edwards for putting his fingers in the glove of Usman and the round resumed with about 30 seconds remaining.

Edwards 10-9

UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman round 2 recap

Round 2 begins but Usman came across the Octagon too far and Herb Dean reset the fighters to start. Then an inadvertent kick to Usman's groin stopped the fight again. Usman is clearly frustrated with Edwards. It looked like Edwards game plan was to attack the legs, which he did throughout the round. They traded for a few moments, before Usman took Edwards to the ground. Back to their feet Usman rains down strikes oto the head of Edwards before Edwards sprawls and the fight goes back to the canvas. Now back to their feet again Usman gets in a few hard strikes before Edwards pulls away and they begin trading again. The round ends, this time Usman looks to have taken control of the fight.

Usman 10-9

UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman round 3 recap

The third round starts without issue. They trade leg kicks in the first few moments. Usman grabs the legs of Edwards and sits him easily onto the canvas for a ground fight. Edwards gets up to his feet but he uses the fence to keep from getting taken down and takes a point from the champion for the blatant foul.

They start the fight on their feet and trade leg kicks again. While in the standing position, Usman eats another groin strike. The fight is getting incredibly slippy on Edwards' part. He's not looking like a seasoned champion with all these fouls.

The fight ends on the feet but clearly in Usman's favor.

Usman 10-8 (due to the point deduction)

UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman round 4 recap

Championship rounds have begun!

Usman listened to his corners and began to put the pressure on the champion. He chased him around the cage, backed him up against the fence and never let up. Edwards kicked the leg of Usman and he slipped to the anvas but Usman popped up quickly and Edwards wasn't able to capitalize on the mistake.

Usman went for another takedown but Edwards was able to get up to his feet and they exchanged in the center of the canvas.

Another very close round.

Edwards 10-9

UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman round 5 recap

The final round begins on an incredibly close fight.

The exchanged briefly before Uslan tries for another takedown. Edwards stuffs it and they trade in the center again. Fans who watched the last fight know how pivotal the fifth round of the last fight was and are watching closely.

Edwards stuffs another takedown from Usman. It doesn't stop Usman from trying again but Edwards stuffs it again. They trade strikes in frustration and Usman goes for another takedown. This time he gets it.

Edwards pops back up with a minute remaining and Usman shoots again, unsuccessful this time. Usman holds Edwards against the cage. They end the round trading in the center of the Octagon and we go to the judges.

Edwards 10-9

OFFICIAL RESULTS: Leon Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman via majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47047) -- for the UFC welterweight championship

UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 takes place on Saturday, March 18 2023, live from the O2 Arena in London, England. Follow along with FanSided MMA for all your live results and highlights throughout fight week.