Leon Edwards will defend his belt on home soil this weekend in a trilogy fight with Kamaru Usman at UFC 286.
The British star pulled off a sensational win last year to dethrone 170lb champion Usman with a devastating final round KO, as he became the king of the division. Now it will be straight back to work for 'Rocky' this weekend, as he is put under pressure from an immediate redemption challenge from Usman who is coming to the UK with the intention of regaining his belt.
Edwards' contest is arguably the biggest to land on British shores in the history of the UFC, and he will be once again hoping to close the show inside the distance in front of a raucous home crowd this weekend.
Here is all you need to know ahead of a bumper UFC 286 British show...
When is Leon Edwards v Kamaru Usman 3 and what time does it start in the UK?
Edwards' UFC title clash with Usman will take place on Saturday March 18 at London's O2 arena in front of a sold out crowd. The prelims will begin at 7pm with fans set to watch a bumper card of action unfold. It is expected that the main event ring walks will follow and take place at around 10:30pm in the UK with the fighting due to get underway at around 10:45pm.
This will all be dependent on the duration of the stacked fight card with the main card set to begin at around 9pm in the UK.
How to watch via TV and live stream
The UFC 286 fight card headlined by Edwards v Usman 3 will be broadcast exclusively live on BT Sport Box Office in the UK. Viewers will be able to purchase the event at a price point of £19.95. Customers can find out more information and purchase the event here, with the prelims set to be shown from 7pm on BT Sport 1 as part of a standard subscription to the channel.
The event can be watched through BT TV or online via the website or the BT Sport Box Office App, Virgin TV or Sky.
Full fight card
Main card:
Main Event: Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman – UFC Welterweight Title
Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev
Gunnar Nelson vs Bryan Barberena
Jennifer Maia vs Casey O’Neill
Marvin Vettori vs Roman Dolidze
Prelims:
Jack Shore vs Makwan Amirkhani
Chris Duncan vs Omar Morales
Sam Patterson vs Yanal Ashmoz
Muhammad Mokaev vs Jafel Filho
Early prelims
Lerone Murphy vs Gabriel Santos
Christian Leroy Duncan vs Dusko Todorovic
Malcolm Gordon vs Jake Hadley
Joanne Wood vs Luana Carolina
Jai Herbert vs Ludovit Klein
Julianna Miller vs Veronica Macedo
Odds
Edwards 15/8
Usman 4/11
Will you be watching UFC 286? Let us know in the comments section below
Quotes corner
Edwards: “I can see it being a totally different fight from the second fight, it’s also about how can he come back after the knockout," Edwards said. "I can take confidence from knowing that I can take him down, hurt him and knock him out. I can see myself getting my hand raised again.
'I’m not going out there to chase the headshot and get another spectacular finish, it’s just about getting the win. I’ve stayed the course, it’s a full 360 from the last time I was here, now I’m the champion headlining my first UFC event in the UK. I’m proud of myself for staying the course and staying true to what I believe in."
