Leon Edwards-Kamaru Usman Title Trilogy Bout Set for UFC 286

A welterweight championship trilogy bout between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman is official for UFC 286.

UFC president Dana White announced the booking during the UFC Fight Night 217 post-fight press conference on Saturday. UFC 286 takes place at the O2 Arena in London on March 18 and also includes a lightweight tilt between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev.

Edwards claimed welterweight gold in shocking fashion at UFC 278, when he knocked out Usman with a head kick 4:04 into the fifth round of their headlining clash this past August. The Englishman appeared to be on his way to a decision defeat prior to the finish. “Rocky” is unbeaten in his last 11 promotional appearances.

Usman, meanwhile, saw a 19-bout professional winning streak snapped in the defeat to Edwards. He claimed the 170-pound throne with a five-round verdict over Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 and then successful defended the belt five times before the upset loss at UFC 278. Usman previously defeated Edwards via unanimous decision in their first meeting at UFC on Fox 17 in December 2015.