“Sad to See Usman Like This”: Fans React as Security Steps In After Leon Edwards & Kamaru Usman Get in a Backstage Scuffle Ahead of UFC 286

The lead-up to UFC 286 just couldn’t get more exciting. After all the hype surrounding the main event between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman, which also included a surprise announcement of Colby Covington as the backup fighter, a clip of a backstage scuffle added a bit more intensity for fans waiting eagerly for the event.

The two welterweights following a heated press conference were seen getting close to an all-out brawl in a freshly leaked footage. The video, now doing the rounds on social media, showed security at the event step in as members of both fighters’ entourage got into a heated exchange of words. While fans present there along with other fighters watched on, welterweight champ Leon Edwards was seen getting stopped by security personnel in a bid to de-escalate the situation.

A scuffle breaks out backstage between UFC 286 headliners Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman

The incident appeared to have gone down backstage after the official face-offs for the UFC 286 headliner. Following ‘Rocky’s’ assertive face-off in front of the home crowd, Usman seemed to have not taken it in his stride as he and his team were heard screaming expletives at the champ. As Edwards and his team too responded in retaliation, security had to step in to prevent the scuffle from escalating into a massive brawl.

Fans online came out bashing Usman and his team for creating a ruckus, even claiming that he’d get knocked out again in front of the British crowd.

“This is sad to see Usman like this “

“Usman about to be KOd dead again”

“Usman acting like he didn’t get KO’d”

One fan pointed out that ‘Rocky’ was always getting picked on backstage making a reference to the Jorge Masvidal brawl that took place a few years ago.

“He’s always getting picked on backstage”

“Anybody else see Justin Gaethje stood there at”

Another Usman fan expressed his desire to see his fighter finish the welterweight champ.

“besides everything… let’s put everything aside… I’m strongly beliving usman’s can KO Edwards fast.. less than 2 rounds.”

Following this scuffle, a fan even drew similarities between WWE and the UFC.

“This is turning into wwf type stuff. Boxing is doing the same thing. Are these new practices, or am I just now noticing them?”

Fortunately, the situation was prevented from breaking out into a massive brawl by the officials present backstage. And since in just a matter of hours, they’ll get the opportunity to settle their differences inside the cage, it was probably in everyone’s best interests that the situation was controlled by everyone involved.

Edwards and Usman set to clash tonight for the welterweight title

Facing each other for the third time, both fighters will aim to settle the score once and for all inside the historic O2 Arena. While ‘Rocky’ has the opportunity to seal himself as an all-time great with a win here, shutting down all doubts over his last win; ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ will be aiming to prove his doubters wrong after being questioned over his injuries and mentality following the devastating KO loss.

Both fighters have a lot of stakes involved as they make their walkouts in front of a wild London crowd. While it might be pretty nerve-wracking for the fighters and their teams, there’s no doubt that for fans this will be an epic fight that has all the potential to go down in the history books of the sport.

Read More: UFC 286: Alexander Volkanovski Predicts Kamaru Usman and Justin Gaethje Fights

Who do you think will get their hands raised? Let us know in the comment section below.

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