Chances are, these last few months will be looked back on as the golden age of mixed martial arts. A fortnight ago, fans were treated to one of the most tantalising match ups in history—Jon Jones, coming out of retirement and up a weight class to take on the imposing Cyril Gane. With Jones claiming the UFC Heavyweight Championship, fans have little time to catch their breath, as this weekend serves up yet another mouth-watering encounter for a UFC belt.
This time, it’s the trilogy fight between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman. With Edwards spectacularly knocking out Usman in August last year to claim the UFC Welterweight Championship, the two men get back in the Octagon this Saturday night to put it all on the line again. This time, it’s at the O2 Arena in London, and Edwards will be the one walking in with the belt strapped around his waist. Can he walk away that way as well?
Bookmaker William Hill has all the best odds on this fight, which we break down to provide you with the best betting advice ahead of UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman III.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 15th, 11:00 P.M. (GMT)
Despite losing their last encounter six months ago, Kamaru Usman is the clear favourite heading into Saturday night’s main event. With odds of 1.40 compared to Edward’s 2.90, the bookies believe that Usman will be reclaiming his title in the next few days.
Prior to last August, Usman had established himself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. After losing only his second professional fight way back in 2013, Usman went on a 19 fight unbeaten streak, including 15 fights at the UFC which saw him become the UFC Welterweight Champion. However, that all came crashing down when a head kick from Leon Edwards in the 25th minute of their most recent fight left Usman lying on the mat, seeing stars and his belt change hands.
Edwards is also on something of a hot streak himself. In fact, the last man to bet Edwards was Usman himself, in their first encounter back in 2015. Since then, Edwards has gone on a winning streak, which included claiming the UFC Welterweight Championship last year from Usman. Despite being dominated for large periods of their August 2022 fight, Edwards did have a strong first round, and did well to set up the fight for a knockout blow in the fifth.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 15th, 11:00 P.M. (GMT)
This clash is about as hard to call as it gets, and it depends on your betting preferences. The conservative money is on Usman—he’s one of the welterweight GOATs, and has dominated Edwards for the majority of the time they’ve spent together in the ring. However, an argument can easily be made for Edwards to win by knockout as well. He did it last time they met, and only has more in his favour now—confidence, home crowd, aging opponent.
We say backing Edwards for the knockout at 5.00 is a great bet, and going for a fifth round win at 26.00 could well be the money maker.
