UFC 286 descends into chaos as lights go out at O2 Arena on undercard of Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman

UFC 286 descended into chaos momentarily as the lights went out at the O2 Arena.

Flyweight Muhammad Mokaev was about to face off with Jafel Filho when the arena suffered a blackout.

The lights went out at the O2 Arena

Is that The @Undertaker‘s music?!

The plug gets pulled on festivities at #UFC286 as the lights go out! pic.twitter.com/8ZsItYeWBI

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 18, 2023

The crowd cheered as though they watched a hometown hero score a stunning knockout – although the lights went out for the wrong reason.

But after a short wait, the arena filled with light again sparking a chorus of cheers from the rowdy crowd.

The O2 is expected to fill with fans all waiting to see if Leon Edwards can defend his welterweight title in an immediate rematch with Kamaru Usman.

Edwards, who lost the initial bout in 2015, returned the favour last August with a stunning head kick KO.

And so long as there are no further technical malfunctions, heavyweight Tom Aspinall urged him to soak in the atmosphere.

Aspinall said: “I’d just tell him to take it [all] in and enjoy it. You don’t get many of these opportunities.

“It’s a big deal to main event in your home country, it’s massive.

“And to have your home fans on your side, you might [only] get two, three or four chances to do it in your whole career.

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“So go out there and enjoy, the same as you do every fight. It’s no different to any of your other fights.

“Take it for what it is, it’s just a fight. Everyone is there who you love, so try and enjoy this time.

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and enjoy it.”

Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman weighing inGetty

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