UFC 286, held on March 18, 2023, at The O2 Arena in London, England, turned into a landmark occasion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s records. The card turned into headlined by way of means of a fantastically predicted welterweight identity trilogy bout among Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman, with numerous different compelling matchups that captivated MMA fanatics worldwide.
Event Details
Date: March 18, 2023
Location: The O2 Arena, London, England
Main Event: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3
Co-Main Event: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
Main Card Results
Leon Edwards Retains Welterweight Title Against Kamaru Usman
In an intensely contested bout, Leon Edwards efficiently defended his welterweight championship via means of securing a majority selection victory over Kamaru Usman. The judges scored the combat 48-46, 48-46, and forty seven-forty seven in Edwards.
Throughout the match, Edwards successfully applied leg kicks and strategic placing to neutralize Usman’s wrestling prowess. Despite a factor deduction in the 0.33 spherical for grabbing the fence, Edwards controlled to outscore Usman, showcasing his resilience and tactical acumen.
Justin Gaethje Edges Rafael Fiziev in Co-Main Event
The co-fundamental occasion featured a light-weight conflict among Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev. Gaethje emerged effective through majority selection, with scorecards analyzing 29-28, 29-28, and 28-28. The bout turned into a placing spectacle, with each opponent exchanging massive blows. Gaethje revelled in and calculated aggression performed a pivotal function in securing the win.
Gunnar Nelson Submits Bryan Barberena
Gunnar Nelson showcased his grappling know-how via means of filing Bryan Barberena in the first spherical through armbar at 4:51. Nelson’s seamless transition at the floor highlighted his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prowess, marking a massive victory in his UFC tenure.
Jennifer Maia Outpoints Casey O’Neill
In the women’s flyweight department, Jennifer Maia secured a unanimous selection win over Casey O’Neill. The judges scored the competition 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28 in Maia’s favour. Maia’s placing accuracy and protecting procedures have been instrumental in her victory.
Marvin Vettori Triumphs Over Roman Dolidze
Middleweight contender Marvin Vettori earned a unanimous selection in opposition to Roman Dolidze, with scorecards analyzing 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27. Vettori’s relentless stress and advanced grappling dictated the tempo of the combat, reaffirming his function in the middleweight hierarchy.
Preliminary Card Highlights
Jack Shore Submits Makwan Amirkhani: Shore secured a rear-bare choke submission in the 2nd spherical at 4:27, demonstrating his grappling finesse.
Chris Duncan Edges Omar Morales: In an intensely contested bout, Duncan earned a break up selection victory with rankings of 30-27, 28-29, and 29-28.
Yanal Ashmoz Stuns Sam Patterson: Ashmoz added a first-spherical knockout at 1:15, marking a memorable UFC debut.
Muhammad Mokaev’s Late Submission: Mokaev secured a rear-bare choke in the 0.33 spherical at 4:52, highlighting his patience and submission skills.
Early Prelims Notable Outcomes
Lerone Murphy’s Split Decision Win: Murphy edged Gabriel Santos with rankings of 29-28, 29-28, and 28-29.
Christian Leroy Duncan’s TKO Victory: Duncan gained through TKO because of a harm to Dusko Todorovic in the first spherical at 1:52.
Jake Hadley’s Quick Finish: Hadley finished a first-spherical TKO over Malcolm Gordon at 1:01, showcasing his placing power.
Joanne Wood’s Split Decision Over Luana Carolina: Wood secured the win with rankings of 28-29, 30-27, and 29-28.
Jai Herbert and Ludovit Klein Fight to a Draw: The bout turned into a declared a majority draw with rankings of 29-27, 28-28, and 28-28.
Veronica Hardy’s Unanimous Decision Victory: Hardy ruled Juliana Miller with 3 30-27 scorecards.
What turned into the principal occasion of UFC 286?
The fundamental occasion of UFC 286 turned into a UFC Welterweight Championship bout among Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman. This combat turned into a fantastically predicted trilogy bout, wherein Leon Edwards efficaciously defended his identity in opposition to Kamaru Usman through majority selection, solidifying his reign as the welterweight champion.
Who is no. 1 in UFC all time?
Determining the finest UFC fighter of all time is subjective and relies upon extraordinary criteria, along with identifying defenses, dominance, talent level, and effect at the sport. However, a few opponents are extensively taken into consideration as some of the finest in UFC records.
Top UFC Fighters of All Time (GOAT Candidates)
Jon Jones – Considered by many to be the GOAT, Jon Jones has ruled the mild heavyweight division for over a decade and later gained the UFC Heavyweight Championship. His elite placing, wrestling, and combat IQ make him almost unbeatable.
Georges St-Pierre (GSP) – A two-department champion (welterweight and middleweight), GSP became recognized for his wrestling, cardio, and technical mastery. He ruled the welterweight department for years.
Anderson Silva – The longest-reigning middleweight champion in UFC records with a sixteen-combat win streak, Silva’s placing and creativity in the octagon made him one of the most unique and dominant opponents.
Khabib Nurmagomedov – Retired undefeated (29-0), Khabib turned into one of the most dominant opponents in UFC records, recognized for his relentless grappling and stress in the light-weight department.
Demetrious Johnson – The finest flyweight of all time, “Mighty Mouse” defended his identity eleven instances and became recognized for his speed, technique, and all-round skill set.
Who has the longest win streak in UFC records?
The longest win streak in UFC records belongs to Anderson Silva, who gained 16 consecutive fights between 2006 and 2012.
Longest Win Streaks in UFC History
Anderson Silva – 16 wins (2006-2012)
Held the UFC Middleweight Championship for 2,457 days (longest reign in UFC records).
Defend the identity 10 instances earlier than dropping to Chris Weidman in 2013.
Kamaru Usman – 15 wins (2015-2022)
Won the UFC Welterweight Championship and defended it 5 times.
Streak ended when he lost to Leon Edwards by head kick KO at UFC 278.
Jon Jones – 13 wins (2010-2020) (except for DQ loss)
Considered undefeated, however an early disqualification in opposition to Matt Hamill prevents him from formally keeping an extended streak.
Georges St-Pierre (GSP) – 13 wins (2007-2017)
Dominated the welterweight division and later gained the middleweight identity earlier than retiring.
Khabib Nurmagomedov – 13 wins (2012-2020)
Retired undefeated (29-0 overall, 13-0 UFC) after protecting the light-weight identify 3 instances.
Final Thoughts
UFC 286 added an unforgettable night time of action, with Leon Edwards’ victory over Kamaru Usman serving as a defining second in his career. The occasion showcased high-stage MMA throughout more than one weight class, exciting fanatics with excessive fights, dramatic moments, and breakout performances.
FAQs
What Was the Reaction to Leon Edwards’ Victory?
Leon Edwards’ victory over Kamaru Usman was met with considerable acclaim, specifically amongst UK fanatics who celebrated their champion’s a hit name defense. Edwards’ strategic use of leg kicks and counterstriking drew reward from analysts, whilst Usman’s supporters debated whether or not the previous champion had accomplished sufficient to reclaim the belt. UFC President Dana White stated Edwards’ performance, indicating that he had cemented himself as a dominant pressure in the welterweight division.
Who Did Leon Edwards Call Out After UFC 286?
Following his victory, Edwards made it clean that he changed into now no longer inquisitive about combating Colby Covington next, notwithstanding White declaring that Covington changed into the subsequent name challenger. Edwards expressed frustration over Covington getting a name shot without incomes it thru latest fights. Instead, he hinted at feasible matchups with different top-ranked welterweights like Belal Muhammad or Jorge Masvidal.
What’s Next for Kamaru Usman?
Kamaru Usman remained gracious in defeat, acknowledging that Edwards changed into the taller fighter at night time. However, he said that he had no plans to retire and meant painting his manner returned to name contention. Given his astounding resume, Usman can also additionally nevertheless be one or fights far far from any other name shot, with feasible combatants along with Stephen Thompson, Gilbert Burns, or a rematch with Colby Covington.
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