Edwards vs. Usman preview: Famous fight trilogy comes to a close
The pair have already met twice in their UFC careers, once nearly a decade ago back in 2015 and the other just last year in 2022.
Usman came out on top in their first encounter, winning by unanimous decision, while Edwards produced one of the knockouts of the year in their most recent bout to claim the welterweight title.
In fact, Edwards hasn't lost since the 2015 fight and won 10 times in the years that followed.
His opponent went on a similar run, going on a 13-fight win streak and establishing himself as comfortably the best in the division.
Usman defeated Tyron Woodley in 2019 to win the welterweight championship and would go on to hold it for an astonishing 1267 days before being dropped by Edwards.
Edwards' comeback victory last time out will go down as one of the most memorable moments in UFC history, and supporters will be hoping that the third bout delivers a similar level of entertainment.
Despite losing the second, third and fourth round, the Englishman received a historic pep-talk from his coaches and delivered a devastating head kick late in the fifth and final round to shock the world.
The third match promises to deliver, with the two fighters getting heated in both the press conference and the weigh-ins during the week building up to UFC 286.
Taunting the champion, Usman said: “What was your excuse for the three rounds before it getting your head beat in? Your coach had to beg you.
“‘Come on, Rock. You’re getting bullied, son. You let him bully you in the first fight and you’re letting him bully you again. Don’t let him bully you. Get your head out of your (backside), Rock.’”
His comments hit hard, with Edwards quickly responding “I left unscathed, not one (...) mark on my face. All landed on the gloves, you behave yourself.
"Behave yourself (…) that boy is concussed, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
The two fighters also squared off at the weigh-in on Friday evening, setting up what should be an incredible spectacle for fight fans across the world.
