WATCH: Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman have an intense faceoff at the ceremonial weigh-ins as chants of 'Rocky' fill the arena
The final faceoff between UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards and former champion Kamaru Usman ahead of their highly-anticipated trilogy fight at UFC 286 was marked by heated exchanges between the two fighters. The two rivals exchanged words, each trying to intimidate the other and gain a psychological edge before their upcoming bout.
During the ceremonial weigh-ins for their UFC 286 trilogy fight, Edwards and Usman had an intense faceoff that was met with chants of "Rocky" from the raucous crowd in attendance. Edwards, who hails from the UK, received a particularly enthusiastic response from the fans, who were excited to see him take on his rival.
Check out the heated staredown below:
Backstage at the ceremonial weigh-in for their much-awaited main event at UFC 286 at the O2 Arena in London, both Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman appeared to be in high spirits and full of energy. Both fighters expressed their eagerness to deliver a thrilling and electrifying main event for their fans.
Fight Preview: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3
On Saturday, welterweight champion Leon Edwards and former champion Kamaru Usman will face off in a highly-anticipated rematch at The O2 in London. The event promises to be a thrilling one, with the main card airing on pay-per-view and the prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.
Their previous encounters have set the stage for an intense showdown. 'Rocky' surprised the MMA world by defeating Usman in their last bout at UFC 278 with a stunning fifth-round head kick, earning himself the welterweight belt. This will be their third time facing each other, with Usman having previously emerged victorious in their initial meeting in 2015, which was also his first fight since winning "The Ultimate Fighter."
One of the reasons why the upcoming Edwards versus Usman fight is so intriguing is because of the questions that were left unanswered after their last encounter in Salt Lake City. Many are eager to see how these two skilled combatants will perform on Saturday night in London, and what the outcome of the fight will reveal about their abilities and potential for future success.
One of the biggest unknowns is how Usman will respond to his defeat and loss of the welterweight throne, as well as having his previously unbeaten streak come to an end. It's unclear how this setback will affect his confidence and fighting style, and how he will seek to bounce back and regain his standing as a top fighter.