5 frontrunners for Fight of the Night at UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman 3

The fourth UFC pay-per-view of 2023 will be underway at the O2 Arena in London this Saturday. UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman 3 has no shortage of explosive matchups on tap and the five best bouts on the card have been ranked below.

While the pay-per-view co-headliner is clearly the frontrunner to claim Fight of the Night honors, there are quite a few entertaining matchups on the card, which should keep the raucous English crowd in attendance on the edge of their seats.

On that note, here are the most explosive fights to look forward to at UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman 3.

#5. Jack Shore vs. Makwan Amirkhani

The featured bout on the UFC 286 preliminary card sees former bantamweight prospect Jack Shore move up a division to take on experienced featherweight contender Makwan Amirkhani. This matchup is worthy of its placement on the card and should conclude the prelims with a bang.

Jack Shore joined the UFC with a perfect record back in 2019 and racked up four wins in the bantamweight division to enter the top 15. However, after suffering the first loss of his career against Ricky Simon last year, the Welshman opted to move to featherweight.

Now, without the grueling weight cut, expect to see the best out of Shore. His opponent, Makwan Amirkhani, should bring the best out of him. 'Mr. Finland' has been with the promotion for around eight years and has fought some of the best fighters in the division, making this matchup a litmus test of Shore's potential.

Amirkhani is a submission specialist, with 12 wins via tap-outs in his career. On the flipside, Shore is very well-rounded and well-versed in the grappling arts, which should make for some fun scrambles.

#4. Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 – UFC 286 main event

Leon Edwards shocked the world when he knocked out Kamaru Usman last year in devastating fashion to win the welterweight championship. Usman notably won their first-ever meeting back in 2015, so with their rivalry at 1-1, there's a lot on the line heading into their upcoming rubber match.

Kamaru Usman won their first bout quite convincingly, using his wrestling to grind out a unanimous decision win. In their rematch last year, 'The Nigerian Nightmare' was seemingly en route to another decision win until Edwards slept him in the final minute.

Both fighters can take quite a few positives from their second fight as Usman was dominant until the knockout and Edwards was able to find a finish despite the unfavorable circumstances. Expect the trilogy bout to be evenly contested, with the champion brimming with confidence and the challenger hungry for revenge.

This matchup is a tactical chess match, and if both fighters are performing at the height of their abilities, fans can expect a memorable clash to close out the rivalry.

#3. Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Dusko Todorovic

While the two previous matchups are more on the technical side, this next entry is surely set to produce an absolute barnburner. Former Cage Warriors champion Christian Leroy Duncan is among the most exciting prospects on the card, and his dance partner Dusko Todorovic should give him a real run for his money.

After an extensive amateur career comprising over 20 fights, Christian Leroy Duncan made his pro debut in 2020. 'CLD's record currently stands at 7-0, with only one of his wins coming via decision. At 27, he is among the most promising signings the UFC has made in recent times.

Dusko Todorovic, who already has six UFC fights under his belt, is the perfect step-up in competition for Leroy Duncan. Both fighters are primarily strikers with tremendous power, so this matchup is unlikely to go the distance.

Todorovic's last fight against Jordan Wright won Fight of the Night honors and the Serbian has always stayed true to his all-action style. This matches up well against Leroy Duncan, who boasts a diverse and flamboyant attacking arsenal.

#2. Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze

An explosive fight is set to open up the main card at UFC 286 as former title challenger Marvin Vettori is set to take on surging middleweight Roman Dolidze in a pivotal matchup for both fighters' careers.

After being thoroughly outclassed by former champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, Marvin Vettori was forced to return to the drawing board ahead of his octagon return.

'The Italian Dream' could emerge as a gatekeeper to the top tier of the division if he suffers another loss, which is certainly plausible against a dangerous and unpredictable fighter like Roman Dolidze, who has finished his last three opponents very impressively.

Considering Dolidze's spontaneity and Vettori's durability, and with both fighters gunning for the title, there's no way this fight doesn't deliver the goods.

#1. Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev – UFC 286 co-main event

Was there ever any doubt?

Justin Gaethje is arguably the most exciting fighter across combat sports. 'The Highlight' is set to return to the octagon this weekend against Rafael Fiziev, who could well turn out to be Gaethje's heir as the most explosive fighter in the sport.

Justin Gaethje was known for his kill-or-be-killed mentality long before signing with the UFC. Since joining the world's premier MMA promotion, the American has already accrued 10 post-fight bonuses, and every single time he steps into the octagon, fireworks are guaranteed.

When Rafael Fiziev was announced as Gaethje's next opponent, fans were already hailing the matchup as an early front-runner for Fight of the Year. Fiziev is a sensational striker just like Gaethje, although slightly more technical, which should make for fantastic viewing.

English crowds are famously the loudest fans on the planet, which should add to the intensity and pandemonium when this fight kicks off. Irrespective of who emerges victorious, this lightweight clash will likely blow the roof off the O2 Arena.