UFC 286 Countdown previews a rematch between longtime foes as welterweight king Leon Edwards looks to defend his title …
[clock chimes] [birds chirping wings flapping] >> Narrator: In recent years, the UFC has been lighting up London, England… >> John Gooden: That’s it! He’s done it! What a moment for Tom Aspinall! >> Narrator: …where British superstars shine bright… >> Gooden: Meatball Molly gets another win in London! [crowd raucously cheering] >> Narrator: …for the raucous UK faithful. >> Gooden: It is a carnival atmosphere here in London. >> Michael Bisping: Here we go! This could be it! >> Gooden: The O2 loves them some Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett! [crowd cheering] >> Narrator: But on March 18th at the O2 Arena, the MMA leader will return with the biggest fight in UK history… >> Bruce Buffer: Kamaru “The Nigerian Nightmare”… >> Narrator: …the welterweight rubber match… [man shouting indistinctly] >> Narrator: …between former king, Kamaru Usman… >> People all want to know, how are you going to get it done? >> Narrator: …and homegrown champion, Leon Edwards. >> I am ready and I truly believe this is my time. >> Gooden: Please welcome the reigning UFC welterweight champion, Leon “Rocky” Edwards. >> Leon Edwards: Defending my strap back in London, you know? Back in my home turf. [crowd applauding and whistling] My prediction is victory. >> Dan Miragliotta: Let’s go, fight! >> Narrator: After meeting first as young upstarts… >> Joe Rogan: The pressure and the grappling of Usman, is causing Edwards to fade. >> Narrator: …but again, as the best 170 pound fighters on Earth… >> Rogan: Big shots from Usman! >> Daniel Cormier: His pressure is starting to wear on Leon. >> Rogan: This is do-or-die for Leon Edwards. He may have resigned himself to losing a decision. >> Cornerman: Cross head-kick! [commentators exclaiming] >> Anik: No way! >> Narrator: They stand at 1-1… >> Jon Anik: The belt’s heading to the UK! >> Narrator: …with Usman now seeking revenge. [Edwards triumphantly shouting] >> It’s a game winning shot. >> Rogan: The way he pulled that out of the fire! >> Usman: Hail Mary. >> Daniel Cormier: We wrote his obituary! >> Usman: Changed the whole course of his career. [group chanting “Rocky! Rocky!”] >> Edwards: You all doubted me, said I couldn’t do it. Look at me now! Pound-for-pound! Headshot! Dead! >> Bruce Buffer: New! >> Usman: But we’ve made those adjustments and March 18th, I come to win. >> Rogan: I can’t imagine what’s going through his mind. To be the top of the sport and the champion who had been dominating guys like Jorge Masvidal. [Anik and Rogan]: Oh! >> Rogan: Colby Covington. >> Anik: Kamaru Usman with a huge shot! >> Rogan: Gilbert Burns. >> Anik: 18 in a row! >> Rogan: But one kick changed the world! >> Trevor Wittman: Bang, bang, bang. Beautiful. >> Cormier: Now we know that Leon can beat Kamaru Usman. >> Anik: He has power, moves exceedingly well. >> Dan Hardy: Leon Edwards is pouring on the pressure! >> Rogan: His confidence, his composure. >> Paul Felder: Oh, my goodness. [Cormier groans] >> Anik: The build-up to this third meeting. >> Rogan: My, gosh–it’s going to be the biggest fight ever. >> Trainer: All right, ready? [woman singing] ♪ All the time ♪ ♪ Waiting for the sign ♪ >> Narrator: In the main event of UFC 286… [woman singing] ♪ When the bell will toll ♪ >> Narrator: …Edwards and Usman will settle the score… [woman singing] ♪ Like a bird I’ll fly ♪ >> Narrator: …in a fight to crown the world’s greatest welterweight, once and for all. >> Edwards: I’m built like this! I’ll go to the bell is done! That’s it! [woman singing] ♪ When the rain falls ♪ >> Narrator: The co-main event will be an electrifying clash of knockout artists… >> Felder: Holy smokes! >> Dominick Cruz: This guy is nasty! >> Narrator: …who own a combined, 15 Fight Night bonuses. [Gaethje grunting] >> Rogan: It’s one of the reasons why he’s one of the most beloved fighters in the sport. >> Narrator: …as former interim lightweight champ, Justin Gaethje… >> Wittman: Everything you got in every punch. >> Roan: He throws himself into the fire! >> Narrator: …faces decorated Muay Thai finisher, Rafael Fiziev. >> Cormier: He speaks the language of violence which is universal. My goodness. >> Fiziev: But don’t forget not only striking, bro–sometimes, wrestling too, brother. >> Narrator: But before the Octagon returns to London, England… >> Welcome to Sweet’s kitchen day! >> Narrator: …first… >> Usman: These aren’t league regulation balls, Justin! >> Narrator: …get ready… [fire crackling] [dramatic instrumental music] >> Trainer: Wide and strong. >> Narrator: …for UFC 286… >> Go! [Gaethje grunting] >> Wittman: Ah-ha! Good, it was very good and I can’t even see it coming. >> Narrator: Countdown. [woman singing] ♪ Time for the bell to chime ♪ >> Narrator: The story of the UFC 286 main event… [water spraying] …begins on a December night in Orlando, Florida, 2015. >> Cruz: Leon Edwards is a very fast handed striker and he has a lot of confidence. >> Narrator: …when promising Brit from Birmingham, Leon Edwards… >> Rogan: I couldn’t agree more, because Edwards throws very clean, technical strikes. >> Dan Hardy: Oh! >> Gooden: That’s it! One and done for Leon “Rocky” Edwards! >> Narrator: …met the newly crowned Ultimate Fighter winner… >> Brian Stann: Usman may be able to finish this. That’s it! >> Narrator: …Kamaru Usman. >> Rogan: We’re looking at two clear mixed martial artists, but we’re really looking at a striking centered guy, versus a grappling centered guy. I’m very impressed here with Leon Edwards movement and striking. Usman immediately in. Oh! Left by Usman. Good straight left by Edwards. He’s looking real smooth and relaxed on his feet and Usman again with the clinch– let’s see if he can get it. He gets it this time. The pressure and the grappling of Usman, is causing Edwards to fade. [end of round air horn blares] >> Buffer: Kamaru “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman! [crowd cheering then fades away] [vehicle whooshing by] >> Usman: I’ve been fighting since 2012. >> Trainer: Two…one….and go! >> Usman: Since deciding to walk away from my amateur wrestling career. [whistle blows] You know from wrestling, it was just natural progression. It’s like, what can I do… >> Trainer: Let’s go. Let’s go. Stay fast, come on. >> Usman: …that I can utilize this skill that I’ve worked on for the last 15 years? >> Trainer: Time. >> And my UFC career was born. >> Felder: Wow! Big slam there from Usman. >> Rogan: Kamaru Usman is a sensational wrestler. >> Anik: Oh! Huge right hands for Usman! >> Rogan: And really developing into an excellent striker as well. >> Anik: Oh! Moraes is down and out! >> We’ve had good wrestlers before. We’ve had good boxers before. You’ve have had good grapplers before, but I’m a hybrid. >> Anik: This is one fluid welterweight. >> Usman: I’m a mix of all of those; to be able to box, wrestle, grapple. >> Rogan: Oh! >> Anik: [groans] Ooh! >> Rogan: Big uppercut! >> Anik: Woodley’s in trouble here! Oh! >> Usman: And doing it in the championship rounds for 25 minutes without slowing down. [body thuds to the canvas] >> Buffer: New! >> That’s what sets me apart from the rest. >> Narrator: Following his early career victory over Leon Edwards… [Anik and Rogan]: Oh! >> Anik: There’s a knockdown for Kamaru Usman! That is it! >> Rogan: That’s it! >> Anik: And still! >> Narrator: Kamaru Usman would assemble one of the greatest welterweight runs in the sport’s history… >> Rogan: What Kamaru Usman represents, is one of the most exceptional fighters we have ever seen inside the Octagon. >> Anik: Oh! Huge right! >> Cormier: Oh, my goodness! >> Anik: And there is a new record holder for the longest winning streak in UFC welterweight history. >> Narrator: …extending his win streak to 19 straight. [commentators exclaiming] >> Anik: Oh! >> Cormier: Oh, boy! >> Anik: Kamaru Usman with a huge shot! >> Rogan: Oh! [screaming] >> Still undisputed! >> Cormier: With the right hand! >> Narrator: …defending the title, five times… >> Rogan: He’s clearly the best welterweight alive and the argument of the best welterweight of all-time starts to happen. >> Anik: Oh! >> Rogan: Oh. >> Anik: Massive left from Usman grounds Covington! >> Narrator: …until being hailed by many, as the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet. [camera shutters clicking] >> Usman: At the end of the day, I come to win. Every fight, I come to win. >> Buffer: And still! >> Anik: It’s incredible, I think legend is a word that we now need to start painting him with. [crowd cheering then fades away] [ominous instrumental music] >> Narrator: While Usman rose to iconic status, Leon Edwards went back to the drawing board. >> Edwards: I always hate losing. I remember feeling that loss and thinking, “I never want to feel like this again, you know?” And I just came back to the UK. >> Buffer: For the winner by unanimous decision…Kamaru… >> Edwards: Focus on what I need to do, you know? Set my team up how I needed it to be set up and I knew eventually that we’ll meet again. >> Dave Lovell: Snap on the jab. Snap on the jab. Everything is snap on the jab. Last thing to the punch. All right, we’re good. Snap. Snap. >> Narrator: For Edwards… >> Lovell: Okay, let’s go. >> Narrator: …assembling the right team… >> Trainer: Over-under. Around. >> Narrator: And keeping his long time head coach, Dave Lovell at the helm. >> Yeah. Okay, let’s go. Strong. >> Narrator: …a man who knows Rocky best. >> Lovell: Da-da-da! Get a rhythm going. [heavybag chains rattling] >> Lovell: Leon came from the streets like all of us. Born in Jamaica. Had a little bit of a rough upbringing while he was in Jamaica. Came to England and it wasn’t much better really. He had to fight to get respect. He had to fight to let people know they couldn’t take a piece with him. Lunge in with your shoulders. Forearm. Give it space and punch. He’s got a very strong mind. He knows where he wants to go in life. He knows what he wants to achieve. You know, we’re just there to aid him along that path. >> I see Dave like a father figure, you know? He’s been around me now for a long time. [punches smacking pads] He knows how good I am. He sees how good I am in the gym and what I can do, you know? So to have someone like that in your corner, it’s always the best scenario. >> Stann: Edwards showing how well-rounded his game has become. >> Lovell: Your time, young lad! >> Stann: He’s a very good striker, naturally, but his wrestling. >> Anik: Clearly learned some valuable lessons his last time out… >> Stann: This is tight, he can have it! >> Anik: …against Kamaru Usman. >> Hardy: [groans] Oh! >> Gooden: That’s a huge bodyshot! >> Hardy: Oh, my goodness! And Leon Edwards’ fast counter-striking, is a danger to anybody. >> I got my own little way to–you know, boost him up. Yeah, man! [Bleep!] [Bleep!] [Bleep, that man!] Let’s go! Give him that confidence and that belief. >> Gooden: Here come the hammers of Leon Edwards. >> Us street boys, we got the same mentality. Three in the bank now, son. Let’s not let this [bleep] back into this fight. >> Felder: Oh! >> Hardy: Leon Edwards is pouring on the pressure! >> Narrator: With Lovell by his side… >> Buffer: Edwards! >> Narrator: …Leon Edwards clawed his way back… >> Cut that [bleep] now, Rocky! Work that jab! Yeah! Keep in there! Right there! That’s it! Keep touching him! Yeah! >> Narrator: …until the Birmingham rising star… [commentators groaning] >> Felder: Oh, my goodness. >> Narrator: …would eventually earn a shot at revenge… >> Rogan: But look at Nate. Looking like a horror movie. >> Put your hands in the air, let them know you won this thing! Let them know you won this thing! >> Narrator: …against the last man to defeat him. >> We’re going to game plan, we’re going to prepare. We’re going to come out there and put on another spectacular performance. >> Anywhere the fight goes, I’ll be in it. [instrumental music intensifies then abruptly ends [low-key instrumental music] >> Cormier: Leon Edwards has come so far. To be able to travel this journey, right next to Kamaru Usman, while not receiving the recognition. They always say, when you’re a lion, there’s another lion in the dark that’s working just as hard as you–but maybe just not eating as much as you. It is his time now to collect. He has been watching Usman the whole time; getting better, preparing himself for the time that they fought again. We are now on the verge of fight number two, between these two fantastic martial artists. >> Anik: Enter the most dominant force in the game at present, UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman. And once again, he’s got a point to prove here against Leon Edwards. >> Herb Dean: We’re going to keep it clean. Touch gloves, let’s do it. >> Anik: No touch! First matchup in UFC history of fighters with an unbeaten streak of 10 or more fights. >> Herb: Ready? Let’s fight! >> I went in there with more of an attacking mindset, compared to the first fight. >> Anik: Good early attack by Edwards to that lead leg. >> Edwards: Round one, I ended up getting a takedown. >> Cormier: And we saw this in fight number one. Edwards did a good job. >> Rogan: Oh! >> Cormier: Oh, my goodness! >> Rogan: In to full mount! [group cheering] >> Anik: First time Usman has been grounded in his UFC career. >> Taking his back and threaten with submissions. >> Rogan: Leon’s trying to get under that chin! Oh, this is nasty! >> Cormier: Wow! >> Fight the hands! >> Rogan: Huge first round [end of round air horn blares] for the challenger. >> Edwards: And from there, he pretty much won from two to four. >> Be sharp! Thank you! We stay sharp! >> Rogan: Big shots from Usman! >> Cormier: Wow! >> Anik: Ooh! Nice uppercut from the champion! >> Cormier: His pressure is starting to wear on Leon and that is all that experience in these high level moments. He’s going to have to match Usman tonight, if he wants to win this title. >> Rogan: But we must remember, this is not normal for Leon. >> Cormier: No. >> Rogan: This is normal for Usman. This is his comfort zone… >> Cormier: Yes. >> Rogan: …these grinding wrestling exchanges. >> Anik: Dominant third round for the champ, Kamaru Usman. >> Rogan: Big shots from the champ. >> Anik: Bodyshot for Usman now. >> Rogan: Oh. >> Anik: Edwards covers up! An uppercut and an elbow! >> Rogan: Kamaru’s all over him. [end of round air horn blares] >> Anik: 20 minutes down, five to go. >> Rogan: A dejected challenger. >> Cormier: Yes. >> Edwards: I knew I was down on the scorecards. You know, I think that’s the speech that Dave gave me, to like, wake me up. >> Lovell: Listen! Stop feeling sorry for [bleep] yourself! >> Edwards: I’m not! >> Lovell: Well come on then! What’s wrong with you! You’re too [bleep] down! You got to pull it out of the fire! Come on, Leon, man! You got it, man! Come on! >> You got this. >> It refocused me, that speech did. Calmed me down–sort of like put me in a mindset to go out there and handle it. >> Let’s go, baby! Here we go! >> Cornerman: Let’s go! >> Enjoy this! >> Anik: All right, 5th and final round. We’ll see what Edwards has left. >> Rogan: This is do-or-die for Leon Edwards. He’s got to do something big. >> Cormier: He does. >> Rogan: He’s got to do something really big. >> Din Thomas: If it wasn’t obvious enough, Leon right now is broken and he’s embarrassed right now of his own performance. >> Cormier: When that final bell rings, Usman’s going to win. You got to empty the gas tank here. >> Anik: Yeah. >> Cormier: You know he’s a minute and a half from losing this championship fight, so you leave it all out there. It doesn’t matter how this fight ends. >> I needed to go out there and get a finish, you know–and that’s what I did. >> Cross kick, Leon! >> Rogan: He may have resigned himself to losing a decision. >> Anik: But that is not the cloth from which he is cut. [anticipatory music] >> Cornerman: Cross head kick! [commentators exclaiming] >> Anik: No way! And… new! >> Cormier: There it is. >> Anik: Undisputed welterweight champ! >> Cormier: Oh, my gosh! >> Anik: The belt’s heading to the UK! >> Rogan: Oh! >> Cormier: Oh, my gosh! >> Anik: Leon “Rocky” Edwards, your new welterweight champion! >> Rogan: Oh, my goodness! [Edwards triumphantly yelling] >> Cormier: Wow! >> Rogan: The way he pulled that out of the fire! >> Cormier: He actually pulled victory from the jaws of defeat. >> Rogan: We thought he was dejected and defeated and he head kicked Kamaru Usman into the shadow realm! >> Cormier: We wrote his obituary! >> Buffer: And…new! >> Edwards: You all doubted me, said I couldn’t do it! You all said I couldn’t do it! Look at me now! Pound-for-pound! Headshot! Dead! [yelling] Felt good. [laughs] It was a long time coming. I’m built like this. I go to the bell is done! That’s it! I’m from the trenches! I’ve been down my whole life and look at me now! [voice breaking] Look at me now! I’m the champion and getting revenge of the last guy to beat me. It was just the perfect ending. I told you it’s possible, we can win a belt from the UK! I told you! Now look at me now! Look at me now! I told you I could do it! I told you! Look at me now, strap season. We got it, baby. >> Rogan: You did it, Leon. You accomplished one of the most difficult things in all of combat sports, against the best guy in the world. Congratulations. The champion of the world, ladies and gentlemen! Leon Edwards! [crowd cheering slowly fading away] [crowd exclaiming] >> Narrator: When Leon Edwards avenged his loss to Kamaru Usman… >> Anik: New undisputed welterweight champ! >> Narrator: …in August of 2022… >> Anik: The belt’s heading to the UK! >> Narrator: It earned him the welterweight belt he so painstakingly coveted. >> Edwards: We can win a belt from the UK. [yelling] I told you! Now look at me now! >> Narrator: And even after a heartfelt ode to the UK… >> Pound-for-pound! Headshot! Dead! >> Narrator: Rocky had plenty of emotions left– the one who matters to him most. >> Lovell: Mommy! Mommy, we champs of the world! >> Edwards: Mom–I told you I would change our life! [voice breaking] I told you mom! I told you I would do it! My mother is the reason why I got involved in mixed martial arts. [men laughing] [Edwards sobbing] There was a gym getting built in my area and she suggested me joining the gym, you know, because I was getting into trouble. I did it for her. Gave it a go and just the more I was in the gym, the more I fell in love with it. [plane engine roaring] [playful instrumental music] [crowd chanting “Rocky! Rocky!”] >> Champion of the world! Champion of the world! >> Feel like my heart was coming out, as I was just crying before. I said, “This is not Leon. Leon, come on!” And where we come from, we don’t break easily. [group chanting “Rocky! Rocky!”] >> And that’s the man! Yeah! >> Let’s go! >> Man: How special is this win for you and for your family? >> Edwards: I’ve changed their life, you know? For this one moment and we all worked hard for and to have achieved it. [everyone in unison]: Headshot! Bang! >> Edwards: Means everything to me. >> Edwards: My mom managed to–since winning the title, to open a Jamaican restaurant. [man vocalizing in festive music] >> Edwards: From the time I could remember from a kid… [aluminum foil crinkling] I just remember her saying that she wanted to be in a business and open a takeaway restaurant. [[water boiling] [pot lid clanks] She’s excited and it’s going well. Picking up slowly, but it’s going very well. >> Beer Jamaican jerk chicken, you see? [door slams shut and chime rings] >> Edwards: Mom! >> Welcome to Sweet’s kitchen day! >> Lovell: Yes. Yes, baby. All right. >> Do you like it? >> Yeah, man. We like it. Leon tell me about it still. [Kerr speaking indistinctly] [men laughing] >> Sometimes I want to sit back and just think about the journey I took–it’s like two different lives. >> Yeah, they um… >> Kerr: Soup? Yes. [speaks indistinctly] >> Lovell: God bless you. >> We have double the cup, so you don’t get burned. >> Lovell: All right, thank you. >> Kerr: Let me get you a spoon. >> Lovell: Thank you. >> Edwards: To be born in poverty in Jamaica, to now becoming a UFC welterweight champion is… >> Lovell: Soup nice. >> …it’s like a movie. [vehicle whooshing by] [waves gently crashing] >> Edwards: The area we grew up in Kingston, Jamaica was a lot of crimes. [vehicles passing by] It wasn’t a safe environment for a child to grow up. Show me the skills. My dad was involved in gangs and stuff like that. From there he emigrated to the UK for a better life. Roll. [playful high pitch voice] Roll. Roll. Through my dad being involved in gangs and drugs. >> Kerr: From the kitchen. [indistinct] >> Lovell: Ah, wow. Wow. All right. >> That was a cause of his death. [waves gently crashing] [somber instrumental music] [seagulls cawing] He got murdered when I was 13 years old. >> Lovell: Who’s champion of the world? Who’s champion of the world? Ah, right! [Kerr speaks indistinctly] >> Lovell: Your big brother champion of the world. >> Edwards: Mom took over both roles, playing mother and father. >> Headshot! Dead! >> Lovell: Headshot! Dead! [group laughing with Leon clapping] >> Edwards: She was the one that provided the life to help her kids, you know? I’m going now, mom. >> Back to the gym? >> Back to training, yeah. Hardships make tougher men you know and I think what I went through from a child to… what I am now, I think that gives me the mentality of never giving up. >> Kerr: See you next time. >> Lovell: See you later, mom. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Lovell: All right, folks. >> Kerr: Yeah, man. >> Narrator: Financial backing for his family, that pays homage to his roots, is novel satisfaction for Edwards, but for the former king, investments in the homeland have been ongoing. >> You can’t do what you love to do, which is stand and strike, if you can’t defend. >> Narrator: And Kamaru Usman’s business ventures in Nigeria are well underway. >> Doing what you do, the fans will love you. The UFC have been talking for a long time about doing an event in Africa. One of the biggest things that I’ve heard, is there is no infrastructure there for them to easily move in and do a show. So that’s exactly what I have taken upon myself to do. Creating the groundwork to where they can look back and say, “Hey, there’s already a show running there.” You know, we’re slowly building and we’re going to continue to build. [men yelling] >> Usman: Myself and two of my partners, we have been setting up the infrastructure to have our own mixed martial arts organization in Nigeria, called AKO: African Knockout. It just shows how big this sport of mixed martial arts is. We got bigger and better things coming in 2023. And how thirsty they are for the opportunity. [ring announcing speaking indistinctly] [group chanting in foreign language] >> Usman: Each and every time I’m back in Nigeria, I discover something more wonderful about the place. Nice. >> This is for you. [Usman speaks indistinctly] >> With the AKO show and with you know, some of the charity work [indistinct chatter] and everything that I’m doing there, I’m falling in love again with that country, like most countries all around the world– there’s great parts and there’s not so great parts, but if we do our parts as humans, that’s the best thing that we can do is just give back a little bit. [light instrumental music] >> Narrator: With the rubber match against Edwards now booked for March 18th in London, England, Usman returns to Colorado, for the first training camp in years as a contender… which offers the former champ… [hammer clanks] …and head coach Trevor Wittman… [hammer continues to clank] …a renewed sense of focus. >> Usman: When you’re a champion, there’s just a lot of noise associated with that. You’re pulled in this direction and that direction and it was almost a sense of relief to just quiet all of that down. [Usman grunting] [timer chimes] >> Wittman: Great job. Wow! You never talk about how you fall, it’s how you get up. [music intensifies] You got one-two on this side. Okay? A quick roll, right back to position. Back to the one-two. And I think he did a really good job of facing himself in the mirror and understanding the true outcome of the fight. Process. Beautiful! Yep. And again. Left hand up. Bop! Bop! Yes. Bang! Bang! Bang! It’s beautiful! [man vocalizing] Boom! Boom! Hook! Up! I love it! Again. You know, whether we win a fight, or we lost a fight, we’re just evolving. [grunts] Yep! Good! [Usman grunts] Good. Good. Way to use the legs. And he’s going to come out here and do what he does. [jump rope smacking floor] [uptempo instrumental music] [Usman grunting] >> Wittman: Beautiful. Wow. >> I will whoop guys with or without the belt. [Usman grunting] >> Good work. 40 seconds! >> Usman: I’m still the same guy. I’m still training with the same intensity. [Usman grunting] >> You know what they call that? A yab. Bang! Bang! Do it again. >> I still have that championship mindset and March 18th it’s going to show. >> Wittman: Great job. Yes. Oh, wonderful combos. [timer chimes] [jump rope smacking ground] [percussive drum beat then abruptly ends] [Usman exhaling] [serene instrumental music] [wind whooshing] >> Narrator: Former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, is deep into UFC 286 training camp, which for the 6th time in a row, is taking place in The Rockies. >> Kneeling rotation, so inside knee is up. >> Narrator: Mile high relocation that eliminates distraction… >> Trainer: Lateral lunge. >> Narrator: …but in doing so, has become bittersweet. >> Usman: I’m here again training in Denver, Colorado– away from my daughter. I got a call from her. She said, “Daddy, there is this thing that we have to sign up for. It’s daddy and daughter dance.” [pilot over intercom]: Please keep your seatbelt fastened whenever you’re seated, even when the takeoff light is off. >> Usman: It was just great for me to kind of snap me back to I am a father, I am a person outside of just training to go be a killer inside that Octagon. You ready? >> Samirah: Yeah. >> Usman: Why you looking at my juice? >> Samirah: You’re looking at my juice. >> Nah, I don’t want your juice. I pick my juice. >> Woman: Samirah, you want to try? Go ahead, knees up! Good! Arms up. Knees in front. Whoa! >> Usman: It’s a little tougher, now because you start to really see… >> Got it. >> Usman: You got it? >> Samirah: Yeah. >> Usman: The time missed. You start to notice that they change in a way to where you’re like, “Oh, that’s new.” Give me some. They weren’t saying those before and they weren’t doing this before, so… Shh. That’s we’re talking about! When I’m there, I try to be as present as possible. >> Anik: Kamaru Usman, the soon to be new UFC welterweight champion. >> Rogan: Incredible. >> Anik: This was the first time Kamaru Usman’s daughter had seen him fight live and certainly picked a good fight to have her here for. [camera shutters clicking] >> She reminds me that everything is going to be okay. I never dreamed that I would be on this stage and when this little girl came along, she lit a fire under me, Joe. And here I am. Here I am. Daddy did it! It doesn’t matter how bad of a day I had at work. [camera shutters clicking] It doesn’t matter how bad I got beat up. >> Rogan: Oh, my goodness. What a fight! >> Come on! >> Let’s go! >> It doesn’t matter if I lose a fight. >> Anik: And the chin on Usman is something else. [camera shutters clicking] >> When I come back, I’m still daddy in her eyes. >> Narrator: Usman’s efforts to increase the presence of family are worthwhile, as he prepares to enter enemy territory on March 18th. The trilogy bout with Edwards will take place in the champion’s home nation… >> Doing a lot of media around the upcoming fight. My homecoming. >> Narrator: …where the UK faithful are still celebrating the upset win from last year’s rematch. >> Gooden: Please welcome the reigning UFC welterweight champion, Leon “Rocky” Edwards. [crowd cheering and whistling] Been what, like six months since you have been leading that champ life? >> Yep. >> Tell us about it. Tell us the top line. What’s really good about wearing the belt? >> For the first like two or three weeks, it was a surreal moment. I left the belt on my dining table at my house and it’s been a long road to get there and I’m happy to be leading the charge for UK MMA. >> Gooden: I do have something over here I think. Leon… >> Oh, I’ve been waiting for this. >> Gooden: …you got this. [Edwards laughing] >> Gooden: Now this is a real privilege for me, my friend. This is your UFC honors award for comeback of the year, 2022. Leon Edwards. [crowd applauding] >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Gooden: Congratulations. [crowd exclaims] >> Edwards: One of his habits was leaning too big into his left or his right, you know– and I was able to take advantage of that. [momentous instrumental music] >> Trainer: Jab-parry-jab. >> Edwards: This is a technique that I’ve trained for the whole camp– so I knew it was going to land eventually. >> Left kick is obviously one of his main weapons and we drill that all the time, so it wasn’t a fluke. He starts dipping his head away, that’s when we’re looking for the head kick. >> Yep. >> Bop! [grunts] That’s it! Good. That’s the one. That’s when I reckon you circle out a bit as well. But he’s also clever enough and smart enough to set it up. You can’t just throw a kick and expect it to land, so all the work and the timing and everything you put into that, it paid off. [grunting] Boom! Boom! Bop! [kick smacks pad] >> Fought him twice, so I got a feeling of what he’s good at. >> Henry: Yep. [kick smacks pad] >> Edwards: He’s improved as far as his striking goes. >> Henry: Yep. Yep. >> But I don’t think he’s as good as what he thinks he is. [wind rustling trees] [tranquil instrumental music] >> I’ve out-struck him in both fights. >> Cormier: Usman really putting the pressure on him now. Out-grappled him in both fights. >> Rogan: Kamaru’s all over him. >> Usman: I’ve out-wrestled him in both fights. >> Cormier: His pressure is starting to wear on Leon. >> I just think I’m a bit better at everything that he does well. [grunting] He’s a good, talented striker and he broke through. I acknowledge it. I accept it. I’m going to clean up those mistakes and I’ll be back. >> Rogan: You’re looking at a legend right there. >> Cormier: Kamaru Usman has truly been spectacular. >> Anik: He is a mental giant, physical skills off the charts. >> Usman: I’ve done my homework. >> Anik: He’s got a point to prove against Leon Edwards. >> I’m going to go in there and make it look easy. >> Rogan: Leon Edwards, he’s so well-rounded! Everything is world-class! >> I know I can take him down, I know I can knock him out. I know I can hurt him. >> Anik: Leon “Rocky” Edwards! >> Edwards: I’m going in there to out-class him, outlast him, and show the world that I am the new dog on the block. >> Hardy: Oh! Leon Edwards is pouring on the pressure! >> Narrator: On March 18th in London, England… [Henry grunting] …it’s Edwards… and Usman, one final time, to undisputedly crown the world’s greatest at 170 pounds. >> Edwards: I can’t see how he comes over and takes the belt away from me, you know–back home in London. >> Anik: Undisputed welterweight champ! >> So it’s going to be a good night. >> Anik: Oh! Kamaru Usman with a huge shot! >> UFC 286, I’ll be victorious. [music intensifies] [crowd cheering] [music and cheering fading away] >> Narrator: As former UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, prepares to face title holder, Leon Edwards on March 18th, he makes time for mental breaks from the grind of training camp, which in Denver, Colorado, take place with his friend and teammate, Justin Gaethje. [instrumental music intensifies] [bowling pins clang] >> We’re down here at the Hanger 101 Bar and Grill. Good to bring Kamaru and some of my teammates, couple of my coaches down here and try to take their money. We’re playing five frames, fifty bucks! >> Justin loves to gamble. [bowling pins clang] He wanted to see who is a better bowler. I told him I bowled in college. I took the class. He didn’t want to believe me, so we’re here so I can show him up. [music continues] [Gaethje shouts indistinctly] [bowling pins clang] >> Usman: No! >> Gaethje: Money! [pins clang] >> These aren’t league regulation balls, Justin! See, that’s why he brought us here. [rhythmic music] >> Trainer: We’re just going to drill today. We’re going to pick up the intensity as we go. >> Being around Kamaru, being so similar in our beliefs, in our virtues and our values– reminds me of wrestling as a kid. [body slams to the ground] [crowd cheering] Individual sport, but knowing that you need to inspire your teammates to perform and ultimately winning for them, you know it’s something that’s very similar in this situation. >> Narrator: Like Usman, former interim lightweight champ, Justin Gaethje, is preparing to fight on March 18th, where he will compete in the UFC 286 co-main event, before Usman makes the walk for the night’s headliner. >> Trainer: Create that muscle memory. >> Narrator: An experience the pair has shared before. >> Being on the same card is always a benefit. >> Man: Justin Gaethje, obviously there is a big grudge match for your teammate in the main event. >> Having both guys go through that process, the fear of knowing that you’re fighting in four days, three days, two days–there’s definitely a huge benefit from a mindset aspect. [crowd and group exclaiming] >> Wow! [group continues to exclaim] >> Rogan: Trevor Wittman, 3-0 tonight. Hats off to that wizard, because he is an amazing coach. >> I’m looking forward to going out there and having a great night with both guys. [crowd cheering] [dramatic instrumental music] >> Cormier: This dude is tremendous. He is all action. >> Narrator: Head coach, Trevor Wittman, has guided numerous UFC champions… >> Buffer: Interim… >> Rogan: He is one of the most ferocious guys in the sport. >> Buffer: lightweight champion! >> Rogan: He throws himself into the fire! >> Narrator: …but none quite like Justin Gaethje… >> Felder: Holy smoke! >> Let’s go! >> Narrator: …who’s mostly aptly known as The Highlight. >> Rogan: Justin hurt him! >> Anik: Whoa! >> Cormier: Justin Gaethje is a ball of fire. >> I’m the most exciting fighter that’s ever stepped in that cage. >> Fitzgerald: Big right from Gaethje! >> Felder: What a knockout! >> Cruz: Oh, he’s got him! >> Cormier: Justin Gaethje is fearless! When you let him go, he just destroys everything in his path! >> Anik: Knocks Edson Barboza out cold! >> I pride myself in giving every person in attendance their money’s worth. >> Anik: Have you ever seen anything like Justin Gaethje! >> Gaethje: That’s what I do, it’s who I am. >> Cormier: [groans] Oh, man! >> Rogan: He’s a real freak. >> Gaethje: Nine bonuses in my first seven fights. >> Cormier: Oh, my goodness! >> That will never be touched. >> Anik: Never been part of a boring fight in his entire life! >> Gaethje: I think it’s because of my effort. Humans recognize effort and I’ve said that since day one and I give max effort. >> Narrator: Gaethje’s return to action will come at UFC 286 in London, England, against lightweight rising star, Rafael Fiziev; a likeminded finisher from the heart of Asia. [birds chirping] >> Fiziev: I’m born in Kazakhstan. I grow up in a village and I helped my father shepherd the cows and bulls. We move from the village to big city, to capital city in Kyrgyzstan. First day when I come into school, some of my classmates, they beat me. After one week I started to train Thai boxing, because somebody beat me. I want to give him back. >> Commentator: Fiziev in the black, [indistinct] in the white with black trim. >> Commentator #2: Fiziev throwing big shots! The uppercut there! Very dangerous! >> Fiziev: My first Kyrgyzstan championship, just after two months when I start training and I take second place, silver medal. >> Commentator: Big punches from the man from Kyrgyzstan. >> Fiziev: 2007 world championship, first place. 2009 world championship, second place. >> Commentator #3: Out goes the left hand. >> Commentator #4: Vicious, vicious power there from Fiziev. >> 2011 world championship, first place. >> Commentator #5: Skills of Fiziev are just unbelievable. This guy is so slippery. >> And I think like, “I want to start my professional career.” >> Commentator #5: Still slinging leather to the last bell. >> Fiziev: And then I go to Thailand. Thailand is very easy going, very easy to make visa to Thailand. No need a lot of money and I know they have good gyms, good fighters. [men grunting] [kicks smacking pads] It’s perfect. >> Commentator #6: Fiziev is making his UFC debut. He’s a strong guy, explosive striking, good grappling to match. >> Narrator: Following hundreds of Muay Thai bouts across Europe and Asia, Fiziev would transition to MMA. >> Commentator #7: He is one of several debuting fighters on our card. >> Gooden: Fiziev has over 200 amateur Muay Thai fights. He’s a multiple national and international Muay Thai champion. Add to that, some combat Sambo as well. >> Felder: For being a Muay Thai guy, his hand are sharp. He throws power in every punch that he lands. >> Narrator: Transferring knockout power in the ring… >> Gooden: He is 6-0 professionally. >> Felder: This is a big prospect that we’re going to be watching here tonight. >> Narrator: …to electrifying performances in the Octagon. >> Hardy: [groans] Oh! >> Gooden: Massive hands there from Fiziev! Oh, he is airborne when he’s throwing those knees as well. >> Bisping: The sky really is the ceiling. I see this man as a future contender, really quickly. Oh! Look at that. >> Gooden: Oh, there it is. It’s Neo from The Matrix again. [commentators groaning] >> Felder: It’s a gunshot when he hits that bodyshot. >> Bisping: Fiziev is for real. >> In the UFC, my focus is on the belt. >> Rogan: I mean come on. >> Cruz: This guy is nasty! >> Rogan: Whoo! >> But I want when people watch my fights, they really enjoy it. >> Gooden: Fiziev is having fun in there tonight. [Rogan laughing] >> Anik: Oh! >> Ref: Stop! Stop! Stop! >> Anik: Rafael Fiziev! >> Ref: Stop! >> I can fight aggressive, going forward, forward, forward. >> Cormier: He speaks the language of violence, which is universal. My goodness. >> Anik: Oh! >> Cruz: Got him there! >> Anik: Big right hand! >> And make fireworks, you know? Go crazy. [crowd exclaims] >> Cormier: Oh! >> Anik: Rafael Fiziev finishes Brad Riddell! >> Fiziev: But I’m happy for this fight against Justin because, I don’t worry about bonuses now. >> Rogan: He hurt him. [commentators]: Oh! >> Rogan: Oh, [chuckles] my gosh! >> Cormier: He’s so fun. He’s so physical. He’s so gifted. >> Rogan: It’s controlled chaos. >> I know Justin wants bonuses also. He likes the bonuses. >> Rogan: It’s one of the reasons why he’s one of the most loved fighters in the sport. >> And for sure we’re coming for this. [crowd exclaims] >> Fitzgerald: Oh! Big left sits him down! And that’s it! Rafael Fiziev moving on up in the top ten! >> You have to see that. Can’t blink. [fire crackling] >> Bisping: This will deliver, I guarantee. [light instrumental music] [motorbike revving] >> Narrator: Kyrgyzstan born, UFC lightweight, Rafael Fiziev, appreciates a comfortable life with his family in Phuket, Thailand… [child and woman speaking]: [Fiziev speaking in foreign language] >> Narrator: …brought on by dedication to his craft and the early teachings of his father. >> Fiziev: This funny story about my father. He work in the city. [woman speaking in foreign language] When he come back, he call all cousins, all brothers to fight boxing. [Fiziev speaking in foreign language] [Fiziev’s father speaking in foreign language] And he gives first place, 500. Second place, 200. Third place like 100. And we fight for this money. If I win this fight against Justin, he has this sheep and give them meat for poor people. [Salman speaking in foreign language over FaceTime Now he comes and says, “Hey, you know this bonus? Save me this, that’s it.” [chuckles] He don’t ask why, what? [cup clinks] Nah. [child excitedly yells] My wife and my kids, they spend my money and when they spend my money, I have to go to gym and I train hard for making money more. >> Some people say, “You’re not scared.” I say, “Yes, it’s scary, but Rafael work.” >> This motivate me. She understands. She has to spend money and she understand how we make this money. And this has helped me in my career also. [chuckles] [Kamilla laughs] >> Narrator: Financial incentives has always been top of mind for Fiziev, especially during his earliest days in Thailand, when injury prevented the aspiring fighter from earning a living. >> Fiziev: I broke my hand in a fight and I’m very sad, because no money, I need a fight. I need to make money. [scooter passes by] My friend, Sayat, my manager–he work in Tiger Muay Thai and he tell me like, “Hey, if you want job, you can come to Tiger.” [indistinct speaking in distance] [strikes smacking pads in distance] >> Five years ago there was an opening for the kickboxing coach position here in Tiger Muay Thai and Rafael was perfect for it with his experience, with his knowledge. [uptempo music] So it was a perfect match for Tiger and for Rafael. One thing that we have in Tiger is a lot of high level pro fighters, so there is no shortage of good training partners who can imitate Justin. >> Tiger Muay Thai, if you need a wrestler, you’ll find it. If you need a boxer, you’ll find it. If you need a guy like Justin, we have 20 people here. >> Narrator: A March 18th showdown with former interim champion, Justin Gaethje… >> Buffer: …”The Highlight”… >> Narrator: …looms large for Rafael Fiziev… >> Buffer: ….Gaethje! >> Narrator: …and the established Tiger Muay Thai product… [bell rapidly dings] >> Narrator: …is ready to seize his moment. >> I’m better than Gaethje everywhere. Striking… Justin, I appreciate you. I will fight with you. On the ground. But don’t forget not only striking, bro. Sometimes wrestling too, brother. Yeah? Yeah, don’t forget though. [claps hands] [electronic music playing] I’m better than everybody in this division. I win, he lose. That’s it. [rhythmic percussive music] [bell chimes] [ominous instrumental music] >> Narrator: A prize fighter finds motivation in many things, [birds’ wings flapping] but the greatest purpose for most… [flag flapping in wind] …is to one day own an undisputed UFC championship belt. For Justin Gaethje, being so close to realizing that dream is what keeps him coming back. >> Trainer: All right. Three jumps. >> Gaethje: I fought for the title, three out of my last four fights. >> Trainer: Boom. >> Cormier: You can not being reckless with a guy that has dynamite in his hands like Gaethje. >> Anik: Oh, nice bodyshot and a left hook up top from Gaethje! >> Cormier: Oh, beautiful takedown by Nurmagomedov. He gets the back. >> Anik: Wow! Unbelievable! Just too good, man. Too good. >> Rogan: Oh, my goodness. >> Anik: Oh, an uppercut now for Gaethje, knocks Oliveira down! [commentators exclaim]: Oh! >> Cormier: This cat right here is a savage! >> Anik: Heart. He believes he has heart. He believes he has always had it. >> Rogan: Here’s the real question…”What’s next?” >> And when you lose a title fight, you know you usually need to win two or three to fight for the championship. >> Anik: He is leaner, he is stronger. He is more focused than ever before. >> Trainer: So stick your chest out here on this side. >> Cormier: And now when they hear Justin Gaethje’s fighting, they will tune in. >> Gaethje: For me, anymore two exciting wins like I always give… [weights clank] …I’m exciting as hell, so why not? >> Cormier: People love a fight. I get it–he wants to go out on his shield, but the reason he lost was because he was having way too much fun. >> Gaethje: Ultimately going into a fight, trying to avoid their strongest asset, is not when I perform the best. >> Wittman: Everything you got in every punch. It was just about excitement and fighting for the people. Good. Now it’s about him. It’s about being focused and winning rounds. He’s got to be dead focused, because that’s the key to being the best in the world. Go! Good. Go! [Gaethje grunting] Go! One more. Go! [Gaethje grunting] Wonderful. That last turnover was really nice too. These shots, they are like people should see coming for a day and you still landed. They get a text message, they’ll be like, “Oh, the right hand’s coming.” >> Narrator: The road to another title shot now goes through the latest lightweight sensation, on March 18th and Gaethje aims to fight fire with fire, against Rafael Fiziev. >> These guys are young and hungry and that’s a dangerous combination. I need to punch him in at the face a lot. Keep him from taking me down. Got to go out there, be perfect. Be athletic, be agile, hostile, and [bleep] him up. >> Fiziev: Justin, he’s tough. This is a challenge and I like challenges, but stay in front of me is too dangerous for him. >> Fitzgerald: Oh! >> Bisping: Oh, big left! >> Fitzgerald: Rafael Fiziev moving on up! >> Narrator: The lightweight belt is within reach for both men, in the co-main event at UFC 286, where knockout artists set the stage in London, England… [monorail roars by] …for the highly anticipated rubber match… >> Anik: The build-up to this third meeting, between these two, as Kamaru Usman rebuilds. >> Rogan: It’s going to be the biggest fight ever. >> Narrator: …between homegrown welterweight champ, Leon Edwards… >> Lovell: Come on, Leon! You got to pull this [bleep] out of the fire! >> Anik: No way! [man’s hands pounding canvas] And…new! >> Narrator: …and former king, Kamaru Usman. >> Look at me now! Pound-for-pound! Headshot! Dead! >> Rogan: Leon Edwards just shook the world! >> Narrator: It all goes down at the O2, on March 18th. >> Anik: What a sport, what a moment. [crowd cheering then fades away]