UFC 286: Edwards vs Usman 3 Betting Odds and Predictions

Leon Edwards shocked the world with a head-kick knockout over Kamaru Usman. Six months later, the two will set the score in one of the most anticipated trilogies. This March 18, the UFC 286 fight is set to happen, with the Welterweight Champion Edwards coming in as a sizable underdog. 

If you haven’t yet, clear your schedule next Saturday because this is definitely a UFC fight night you can’t miss. And with the UFC odds we’ve seen at top online bookies, you have got to get in on the action. 

UFC 286 Betting Odds: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman

• Bovada: Leon Edwards +190, Kamaru Usman -240
• BetOnline: Leon Edwards +195, Kamaru Usman -230
• MyBookie: Leon Edwards +191 , Kamaru Usman -250
• MyStake: Leon Edwards +183 , Kamaru Usman -283
• Sportsbetting.ag: Leon Edwards +195, Kamaru Usman -230
• BetUS: Leon Edwards +185, Kamaru Usman -235 

Leon Edwards has been an underdog only three times in fifteen UFC fights. Edwards is 2-1 in those three fights, with the lone loss coming to Kamaru Usman. 

Kamaru Usman has been the favorite in fifteen of his sixteen UFC fights. Going 14-1 when favored, Usman has proven to be profitable. The lone loss Usman suffered was against none other than Leon Edwards. 

UFC 286 Fight Card Betting Odds

• Justin Gaethje (+190) vs. Rafael Fiziev (-240)
• Marvin Vettori (-275) vs. Roman Dolidze (+220)
• Bryan Barberena (+275) vs. Gunnar Nelson (-360)
• Joanne Wood (-170) vs. Luana Carolina (+135)
• Jake Hadley (-325) vs. Malcolm Gordon (+250)
• Jack Shore (-500) vs. Makwan Amirkhani (+350)
• Jai Herbert (+130) vs. Ludovit Klein (-155)
• Jafel Filho (+475) vs. Muhammad Mokaev (-750)
• Casey O’Neil (-185) vs. Jennifer Maia (+150)
• Juliana Miller (-400) vs. Veronica Macedo (+300)
• Christian Leroy Duncan (-210) vs. Dusko Todorovic (+170)
• Sam Petterson (-275) vs. Yanal Ashmoz (+220)

UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman Fight Info

• UFC 286 Date: March 18, 2023
• Start Time: 1:00 P.M. Est Prelims / 5:00 P.M. Est Main Card
• Venue: The O2 Arena
• City:  London, England
• How to Watch: ESPN+ PPV
• UFC 286 Odds:

How to Start Betting for the UFC 286 Fight

There are plenty of betting opportunities in the UFC 286 fight, not only for the main card but for the undercard fights as well. If you want to get in on the action and don’t have a sportsbook account yet, here’s how to place a bet on Edwards or Usman at Bovada.

Step 1: Create a Bovada account

Head to Bovada’s homepage and click the red “JOIN” button. A tiny form will appear and you need to fill in details for your name, mobile number, email, and password. After ticking the box that certifies you are of legal age for sports betting, click the “REGISTER” button.

Step 2: Verify your phone number

After you submit the form, an SMS code will be sent to your mobile phone. Once you enter the correct code into the form, you will be redirected to Bovada’s homepage. 

Step 3: Make a qualifying deposit

Once your account has been created, you need to deposit and use the bonus code BTCSWB750 to claim the welcome offer. After the bonus amount is credited to your account, you can start betting.

Leon Edwards’ Keys to Victory (UFC 286)

Keep the Fight Standing: While Leon Edwards has long used his wrestling to turn tides of fights in his favor against Kamaru Usman, his defensive wrestling will need to shine. Having been taken down six times in their first fight and five times in the second fight, it is pertinent that Edwards limits being taken down and keeps the fight upright. 

Otherwise, it will be a short-lived stint as champion for Edwards. 

Land more volume: Normally the one to lead the dance, Leon Edwards has struggled when opponents are more active. Although he got the better of Kamaru Usman, up until the knockout, Edwards was outlanded 83 to 55 in significant strikes. 

An important factor to note is that Edwards is 9-0, with one no-contest in fights where he lands more significant strikes than his opponent. When outlanded, Edwards is only 3-2. 

Kamaru Usman’s Keys to Victory (UFC 286)

Embrace the grind: Kamaru Usman is one of the best wrestlers to ever grace the octagon. Landing fifty-five takedowns in sixteen UFC fights at a 48% accuracy, Usman has often had little issues getting the fight to the ground. 

While Usman has evolved into an excellent striker, he used to ground opponents throughout the fight. Receiving backlash then for his fighting style, it might be wise for the former welterweight champion to return to his roots. After all, the name of the game is to win.

Keep the foot on the gas: Headed towards a sixteenth straight win in the UFC, Usman was caught with a head kick that put him down for the count with only fifty-six seconds left in the fight. While it’s easy to say Usman was coasting to the finish line, we don’t believe that to be the case. It was a perfectly timed head kick at the right moment.

However, if Usman wants to avoid giving Leon Edwards another chance to repeat, his winning method would be to limit any lulls in the fight and remain active. 

See other betting opportunities:

UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman Fight Preview

A stacked card headlined by an epic trilogy, UFC 286 is bound to entertain. 

The main event will bring closure to a rivalry that began on December 19, 2015, when Kamaru Usman defeated Leon Edwards via decision. 

After that fight, Usman would go on to win thirteen straight, become the Welterweight Champion and the world’s consensus number one pound-for-pound fighter.

Meanwhile, Edwards would go 9-0, with one no-contest in ten fights. And after more than six years since first encountering Usman, Edwards finally got his crack at exacting revenge and becoming the welterweight champion. 

The rematch, outside of round one, was all Usman. Up on all three judges’ scorecards and less than a minute away from continuing his reign as the pound-for-pound king, Usman’s kingdom suddenly crumbled. Edwards, who looked defeated, landed a head kick knockout that rippled the MMA landscape. 

With the matchup at one apiece, the rivalry grew into a trilogy – an anticipated one that will settle the score and close a chapter that began over six years ago. 

In the co-main event, the former Interim Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje takes on rising contender Rafael Fiziev. An important fight in the division and a fight that has the ingredients to become a fight-of-the-year contender. 

UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 Best Bets

Kamaru Usman via decision

Before getting stopped less than a minute in the fight, Kamaru Usman was headed towards a decision victory. While round one saw Usman taken down and on his back for a significant amount of time, after that, Usman controlled the entire fight. It took a perfectly timed head kick to unravel everything.

This was Usman’s first defeat in over nine years in the UFC. Knowing how dominant Usman has been in the welterweight division, we believe he will bounce back in triumph over Leon Edwards. 

Given that Edwards has never been stopped in twenty-four professional fights, and Usman has won ten of sixteen UFC fights via decision, this fight goes to the scorecards. With Usman getting his hand raised. 

Casey O’Neil moneyline (-185)  

Out of action since defeating Roxanne Modafferi in February of 2022, Casey O’Neil returns to take on former title challenger Jennifer Maia. Undefeated and rising up the Flyweight ranking, O’Neil has looked every part of a future contender. 

A skilled grappler, and evolving striker, O’Neil is beginning to craft herself into a well-rounded fighter. Against Maia, who has become primarily a striker, O’Neil’s grappling alone should exploit the Brazilian’s pedestrian 55% takedown defense. 

In addition, on the feet, O’Neil is landing 8.65 significant strikes per minute at a 57% accuracy. Maia is landing only 3.98 significant strikes per minute at 37% accuracy. The stark difference in accuracy and activity on the feet, combined with O’Neil’s grappling advantage, make us believe that the Scottish-Australian rising star will win this fight. 

Ludovit Klein moneyline (-165)  

Debuting in the UFC in 2020, Ludovit Klein brought a seven-fight win streak into the octagon. While successful in his UFC debut, Klein would find out why the UFC is in the big leagues, dropping the following two fights. 

As a result, Klein moved back up to Lightweight. The move paid off immediate dividends, as Klein rattled off two straight fighter wins. Given an opportunity to make it three straight, Klein must play spoiler as he takes on the United Kingdom’s own Jai Herbert.

A striker with excellent defensive grappling and a noticeable speed advantage at Lightweight, we believe Klein matches up well against Herbert – a fighter who is also a striker but leans heavily on his power to win fights. 

In addition, Herbert is landing only 2.45 significant strikes per minute at a 41% accuracy. Whereas Klein is landing 3.56 significant strikes per minute at a 56% accuracy. Throw in the fact that Klein has some wrestling chops and Herbert is far from a wrestler, and we believe Klein will get by the Brit.

Jake Hadley wins inside the distance

Jake Hadley might have stumbled in his UFC debut, but he flashed his potential in his second octagon appearance. Defeating Carlos Candelario via submission, Hadley showed off his patented grappling. 

We believe Hadley holds several advantages when facing Malcolm Gordon, who isn’t strong in any one area. 

For one, Gordon has a 9% takedown defense and has been taken down in four of his five UFC fights. Secondly, Gordon has lost three of his last five fights and has been stopped in all six of his professional losses.

Given Hadley’s grappling and with seven of his nine wins coming inside the distance, we believe that Brit will take out Gordon within fifteen minutes.

Best UFC 286 Betting Sites: Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman

1. Bovada – Best UFC 286 Betting Site Overall

Pros:

• Leon Edwards +190, Kamaru Usman -240
• Up to $750 sports welcome bonus
• Accepts cryptocurrencies
• User-friendly sportsbook interface

Cons:

• Significant transaction fees

Bovada is one of the best sites to place your bets on major MMA fights. Aside from the UFC, you’ll find many sports betting markets for other major sports events.

The site welcomes new sports bettors with a $250 sports bonus, which you can claim when you deposit using fiat currencies. Crypto sports bettors get up to $750 worth of welcome bonuses. And the best part is you only have to wager 5x before you can cash out your winnings.

You’ll appreciate Bovada’s simple layout and seamless navigation. The sports betting platform has a user-friendly interface, making it easy to place bets on your mobile device.

2. BetOnline – Best UFC 286 Undercard Fights Betting Odds

Pros:

• Leon Edwards +195, Kamaru Usman -230
• Sports welcome bonus of up to $3,000
• Great odds boosters
• Over 20 payment options available

Cons:

If you’re also interested in some of the undercard fights for the UFC 286, you can’t find better odds than what BetOnline offers. 

This online sportsbook has been around for nearly two decades and is one of the most well-established betting sites. It covers various sporting events and shows the most competitive odds for both mainstream and niche sports. 

If you sign up for a new account at BetOnline, you can grab a $1,000 max first deposit bonus. This comes with a 10x wagering requirement and a minimum deposit of $55.

3. MyBookie – Best Over/Under Bets for Edwards vs Usman Fight

Pros:

• Leon Edwards +191, Kamaru Usman -250
• Get up to $1,000 sports welcome bonus
• Great sports reloads

Cons:

If over/under bets are more up your alley, MyBookie is the best place for you. It has excellent over/under odds for the UFC 286 and other sports betting markets. 

You can get a 50% match deposit of up to $1,000 on your first deposit, and there’s only a 10x rollover requirement that you must satisfy before you can cash out your winnings. Aside from the welcome offer, you can find nice reloads, cashbacks, rebates at MyBookie.

4. MyStake – Best Site for UFC 286 Live Betting

Pros:

• Leon Edwards +183, Kamaru Usman -283
• Sports welcome bonus up to $500
• Sportsbook, racing, and esports

Cons:

• Not very user-friendly site

When it comes to sports betting coverage, MyStake offers a comprehensive sportsbook, racebook, and esports betting section. The site has a refreshingly modern layout, which could also confuse sports bettors who prefer basic, old-school betting sites. 

But its modern features make it one of the best live betting sites, especially for UFC and MMA fights. If you’re into in-play betting, you can’t find a better place to be than MyStake.

5. Sportsbetting.ag – Best Prop Bets for the Edwards vs Usman Fight

Pros:

• Leon Edwards +195, Kamaru Usman -230
• 50% up to $1,000 sports welcome bonus
• Great UFC/MMA Props

Cons:

Speaking of old-school betting sites, Sportsbetting.ag has 20 years on its back. It’s among the most trusted online sportsbooks, with competitive odds and excellent sports promotions. Although it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing betting site. 

You’ll find great prop bets at Sportsbetting, not only for UFC fights but for other sporting events as well. 

Guide to Betting on UFC 286 (Edwards vs. Usman 3)

How Can I Watch UFC 286?

To watch the UFC 286 pay-per-view, you must have an ESPN+ subscription. If subscribed, you can purchase the PPV. 

You can catch the preliminary card from 1 pm to 5 pm on ESPN+ and on ESPN from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Who’s Fighting on UFC 286?

The main event of UFC 286 features the trilogy fight between Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards and former pound-for-pound number one Kamaru Usman.  

Where Can I Find the Best Odds for UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman 3?

According toBovada, Leon Edwards is a +190 underdog. If you placed $100 on Edwards, you’d win $190. Kamaru Usman comes in as a -240 favorite, which means you have to place $240 on Usman to win $100. 

See similar articles:

UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 Fight Prediction

With less than a minute, in a twenty-five-minute fight, mixed martial arts saw a king dethroned. In a shocking yet typical way that the unpredictable continues to astound fans. 

Leon Edwards, who was nearing the closure of a chapter that began over six years ago, re-opened said chapter with a head kick knockout over Kamaru Usman with just fifty-six seconds remaining in the fight. In the process, Edwards became the welterweight champion, killing two birds with one stone.

On the receiving end of the head kick knockout, Usman saw his kingdom crumble. Losing his nineteen-fight win streak, welterweight championship, and pound-for-pound status, Usman is no longer the hunted. He is the hunter.

A trilogy to settle the score, this fight will feature the highest level of mixed martial arts between two of the best competitors the sport offers.

The champion, Edwards, is a well-rounded fighter. A technical striker, Edwards leans on his precision to piece up opponents. An opportune wrestler, Edwards scored a takedown in nine of his last eleven fights – one of the title fights being a shortened one due to an accidental eye poke. 

As for the former champion, Usman is also well-rounded. A wrestler at heart, though, Usman has landed fifty-five takedowns in sixteen UFC fights. Evolving into one of the more feared strikers, Usman boasts precision, power, and a patented jab.

In the previous two encounters, albeit both fighters evolving since the first fight, Usman has led the dance. If you combine both fights, Usman has out-landed Edwards in significant strikes (131 to 81), takedowns (11 to 1), and control time (21:26 to 3:35) by a vast margin. 

Numbers don’t always equate to victory in mixed martial arts, as we saw firsthand with Edwards’ victory in the second fight against Usman.

However, the numbers do tell a story. One which aligns with our thoughts that Usman is the better overall fighter, whose skill set is a nightmare for anyone to face. We believe Usman will outwork Edwards and regain his throne in what is bound to be a thrilling trilogy.

Our prediction: Usman via unanimous decision – place a bet at Bovada and enjoy the fight!

Is Your Money On Edwards or Usman to Win the UFC 286 Trilogy Fight?

There’s much anticipation for the upcoming bout between Edwards and Usman. Will they finally settle the score or surprise their fans with a draw? Whether your money is on Edwards or Usman to take home the Welterweight title, you know the best sports betting sites where you can place your bets. 

DISCLAIMER: Online gambling comes with risks. There’s no guarantee of financial gain, so you should only gamble with what you can afford to lose. All information on this site is for entertainment purposes only.

While gambling can be fun, it can also be addictive. If you or anyone you know suffer from a gambling addiction problem, we recommend you call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 to speak with an advisor. Please remember that our guides and all gambling sites are 18+. Also, check with local laws if online gambling is legal in your area.