The UFC heads to London, England this weekend for a pay-per-view card stacked with some of the best Britain has to offer. In the main event Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman go head-to-head for the third time as ‘Rocky’ tries to prove his title win was no fluke, while in the co-main Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev throw down in a fight that will be anything but boring. While top prospects Casey O’Neill, Muhammad Mokaev and Roman Dolidze all take centre stage to prove there is substance behind the hype.
We take a look at my three UFC best bets on the card below, and if you're looking for a new sportsbook to bet with, why not try Picklebet?
UFC 286 Preview & Betting Tips
Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman
Leon Edwards shocked the world with a last gasp head kick knockout of at the time the pound for pound number one, Kamaru Usman. Usman was cruising in that fight and a lapse of concentration cost him his belt. When assessing these rematches, the first question is always what has changed. For Usman it is safe to say he was on track for a dominant victory up until the momentary switch off and he also won the pairs first encounter comfortably. He is the lengthier striker who while he didn’t dominate the wrestling like many anticipated, was racking up the rounds with relative ease. Usman was able to fight behind his jab, use his clinch game and getting the better of the exchanges until the end. In this fight I think he wins as long as that head kick hasn’t completely changed him. A knockout like that can be career altering but Usman has taken his time and by all accounts looks back to his best so I have to back the Nigerian Nightmare to reclaim his throne.
Kamaru Usman to Win
$1.45 (4 Units)
Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
Justin Gaethje isn’t nicknamed ‘The Highlight’ for no reason. He may not have strung together an impressive Octagon win streak but he has fought the division’s best and is never in a boring fight. His opponent Rafael Fiziev comes into this fight as a large favourite, due to his impressive striking and a devastating knockout of former champion Rafael dos Anjos in his last fight. Gaethje hasn’t registered a win since beating Chandler in 2021 yet I really like this match up for him. Fiziev will trade and the American can utilise his chopping leg kicks and power to walk down and land on Fiziev. He will take damage but Gaethje’s striking is far more technical than people give him credit for and I am backing him to get back into the win column with another highlight reel victory.
Justin Gaethje to Win
$3 (2.5 Units)
Joanne Wood vs. Luana Carolina
Joanne Wood put together a 4-1 run which landed her on the brink of a title shot but has since gone 1-4 and been choked out in her last two fights. Her opponent Luana Carolina is 3-2 in the Octagon but it safe to say she has not fought anyone who would borderline on a contender. While Wood has fallen off, if she is even remotely what she once was she wins this fight. Molly McCann a notable striker took Carolina down and Wood has a strong top game and if things don’t go her way on the feet she has the takedowns to fall back on. Bank on the Scot to get the win.
