MMA

UFC 296 Results, Live Coverage, and Discussion: Leon Edwards Outclasses Colby Covington

Colby FariaDecember 16, 2023, 9:00 pm

Welcome to Fightful.com’s results, live coverage, and discussion for UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington!

We will bring you live play-by-play for UFC 296’s main card and full results for the rest of tonight’s card. Scroll down to the Disqus boards below and chat with fellow MMA fans during the event.

Results

Main Card (PPV, 10:00 p.m. EDT/7:00 p.m. PDT)

Leon Edwards (C) def. (#3) Colby Covington via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) — UFC Welterweight Championship
Alexandre Pantoja (C) def. (#3) Brandon Royval via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) — UFC Flyweight Championship
(#5) Shavkat Rakhmonov def. (#6) Stephen Thompson via submission (rear-naked choke) (4:56, R2)
Paddy Pimblett def. Tony Ferguson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
(#6) Josh Emmett def. (#10) Bryce Mitchell via KO (punch) (1:57, R1)

Prelims (ESPN2/ESPN+, 8:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. PDT)

(#14) Alonzo Menifield def. (#15) Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
(#5) Irene Aldana def. (#9) Karol Rosa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Cody Garbrandt def. Brian Kelleher via KO (punch) (3:42, R1)
Ariane Lipski def. (#12) Casey O’Neill via submission (armbar) (1:18, R2)

Early Prelims (ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. EDT/3:30 p.m. PDT)

(#12) Tagir Ulanbekov def. Cody Durden via submission (rear-naked choke) (4:25, R2)
Andre Fili def. Lucas Almeida via KO (punch) (3:32, R1)
Shamil Gaziev def. Martin Buday via TKO (punches) (0:56, R2)

Play-by-Play

Leon Edwards (C) vs. (#3) Colby Covington — UFC Welterweight Championship

Round One – Covington misses a head kick to start. Edwards doesn’t hit his mark on a front kick to the body as both competitors are looking to find their range. Edwards lands a low kick, then another, and Covington lands one of his own. Covington is actively switching stances and pops the jab but Edwards lands a clean counter left hook. Covington lands a step in left elbow then rips a left hook to the body as Edwards lands a lead leg kick. Covington grabs a leg, Edwards steps out and avoids the takedown.

Covington pops the jab, then a calf kick, and Edwards returns the favor with a another low kick. Covington lands a front kick to the body before just missing an overhand left. Edwards lands another lead leg kick and the horn sounds to end a somewhat slow opening frame.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Edwards.

Round Two – Edwards goes right back to the well and lands another lead leg kick to open the action here in round number two. Edwards ducks out of the way of a 1-2 and lands a counter left hook. Edwards lands a low kick, Covington returns the favor with one of his own, and Covington lands another low kick. Covington blocks a high kick before whiffing on one of his own.

Covington lands a 1-2, Edwards comes back with a low kick that finds a home, and Edwards defends an uppercut attempt well from the challenger. Edwards has a left hook blocked and the horn sounds to end another pretty uneventful round.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Edwards. 20-18 to Edwards after two rounds.

Round Three – Covington rushes forward and looks for the clinch but his left leg buckled a bit and Edwards has done a great job of eating at the challenger’s lead leg. Edwards lands a right hook, Covington lands a left hook, and explodes for a takedown but Edwards remains upright and backs himself up to the fence. Edwards almost gets back control but Covington trips the champion and ends up with top control. Edwards scrambles to his feet and lands a head kick! Edwards dives in for a takedown, Covington sprawls, but Edwards shoves him back and ends up on top, but Covington gets right back up and circles back to the center of the octagon.

The fight has certainly picked up the pace from the previous two rounds as Covington may know that lead leg doesn’t have much time left before it gives out due to the damage Edwards has caused. Covington catches a leg kick attempt but Edwards spins out of danger and remains upright. Covington with a wild Superman punch attempt but Edwards evades and the horn sounds to send this one to the judge’s scorecards.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Edwards. 30-27 to Edwards after three rounds.

Round Four – Covington has a high kick blocked to begin round number four. Covington changes levels, Edwards remains upright and looks for standing guillotine but Covington wildly spins out of it and circles back to the center of the octagon. Edwards lands a straight left hand before evading an uppercut attempt from the challenger. Covington lands a left hook and looks for the takedown but Edwards backs up to the fence. Covington trips Edwards down but Edwards pops right back up. Covington has Edwards clinched against the fence and continues to look for the takedown but the champion breaks loose and circles back to the center of the octagon.

Covington lands a left hook, then another, before just missing a third. Covington clinched and shoves Edwards to the fence as the clock ticks under one minute remaining here in the fourth round. Edwards exploded and ends up tripping Covington to a knee but Covington spins and ends up with Edwards’ back with about 30-seconds to go in the round. Covington lands a few shots of ground and pound but Edwards scrambles and gets back to his feet. Edwards lands a side kick to the body at the horn and this one is headed to the fifth and final round.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Covington. 39-37 to Edwards after four rounds.

Round Five – Covington more than likely needs a finish here to become champion but it’s Edwards coming forward yet again. Covington explodes and gets a perfectly timed takedown. Edwards gets up to a knee, Covington keeps the body lock intact and looks for another takedown but Edwards reverses position and trips Covington down to the mat. Edwards gets the back and looks for a choke, Covington defends well and looks to roll out as Edwards transitions to a triangle, then an armbar but Covington scrambles and ends up back on top! What a sequence!

Covington has just over two minutes to go to look for a finish as he’s likely down at least three rounds to one on the scorecards. Covington looks for side control and is appearing to be setting up a head and arm choke but Edwards defends well for the time being. The clock ticks under one minute to go and Edwards is clenching Covington’s head towards his own to avoid any separation, Covington is getting any shots in that he can regardless of where or how hard they land, Edwards scrambles and Covington lands a few shots to the side of the head, and the horn sounds to send this one to the judge’s scorecards.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Covington. 48-47 to Edwards overall.

Result: Leon Edwards (C) def. (#3) Colby Covington via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs. (#3) Brandon Royval — UFC Flyweight Championship

Round One – Pantoja lands a lead leg kick to start. Pantoja changes levels but Royval shoves the champion back. Pantoja lands a side kick to the body, Royval lands a low kick, Pantoja finds a home for a counter left hand, and trips Royval down to the mat. Royval kicks Pantoja back and the champion is forced to stand and move his head out of the way. Pantoja lands standing kicks to Royval’s thighs before jumping back down to regain top control.

Royval looks for a knee bar but Pantoja keeps spinning and ends up in Mount. Royval scrambles and shoves Pantoja back and gets back up to his feet. Royval lands a left hook, then pops the jab, but Pantoja lands a right hook at the horn, which will end an entertaining opening frame.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Pantoja.

Round Two – Pantoja clinches right away but Royval shoves him back to force the break. Pantoja lands a low kick and kicks out Royval’s legs from under him and ends up with top control. Pantoja looks for a head and arm choke, Royval remains extremely active from the back but he needs to get out from the bottom if he hopes to win over the judge’s scoring if it comes down to a decision. Not much happening for the first time in this one as Pantoja looks content with gaining a few minutes of control from the top.

Pantoja explodes to side control and looks for the mount but Royval is active on defense and avoids danger for the time being. Royval starts throwing shots from the bottom, Pantoja starts moving, stands up, and this one is back on the feet. Royval lands a high kick but Pantoja somehow eats it and trips Royval right back down to the mat. Pantoja stands up, Royval starts launching up kicks, and the horn sounds to end round number two.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Pantoja. 20-18 to Pantoja after two rounds.

Round Three – Pantoja rushes forward and lands a right hook. Pantoja lands a side kick to the body and trips Royval right back down to the mat yet again. Pantoja steps over into mount and looks for a head and arm choke but Royval spins out from underneath Pantoja and gets back up to his feet. Royval lands a straight right hand, Pantoja grabs a leg but Royval remains upright and gets out of danger for the time being. Pantoja changes levels, Royval backs up to the fence and spins out of Pantoja’s clutches.

Royval lands a 1-2, Pantoja lands a counter left hook, and Royval lands a right hook. Pantoja lands a low kick, then another, and Royval comes roaring back with a 1-2 back up top. Pantoja looks like he may be leaking in the gas tank department but secures a perfectly timed takedown. Royval remains active from his back, Pantoja starts throwing shots from the top, and the horn sounds to send this one to the championship rounds.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Pantoja. 30-27 to Pantoja after three rounds.

Round Four – Pantoja immediately scoops and slams Royval to open round number four. Royval is defending well and doing a good job of not taking much damage but this is a dominating performance from Pantoja through three-plus rounds. Royval rolls, Pantoja gets the back, Royval continues to roll but Pantoja has the body triangle locked up, and Royval is in real trouble here. Royval looks to kick himself off the fence but Pantoja holds position for the time being.

Royval starts throwing punches behind his own head as a graphic on the broadcast pops up showing that Pantoja has passed the 10-minute control mark with about a round and a half still potentially remaining. Pantoja looks for a neck crank, Royval’s face is turning bright red, but he loosens Pantoja’s hands and breaks the hold. Regardless of the outcome, Royval is showing off extremely well rounded defense in this one. Royval rolls to his back and ends up with top control! Royval is hammering shots from the top, Pantoja looks for an heel hook but the buzzer sounds to send this one to the fifth and final round.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Pantoja. 40-36 to Pantoja after four rounds.

Round Five – Royval comes out SWINGING as he knows he likely needs a finish to pull this one off. Royval lands a 1-2, then pops the jab, and Pantoja lands a low kick. Royval lands a left hook, then a straight right hand, and he’s putting it on the champion as he looks for a Hail Mary finish here. Pantoja clinches, Royval reverses position, and forces the break. Royval lands an elbow, Pantoja comes back with a lead leg kick, and Royval pops the jab. Royval lands a 1-2, then another, and Pantoja shoots for a takedown, and gets it!

Royval gets to a knee and stands back up but Pantoja shoves him right back down and ends up with top control as the clock ticks under two minutes to go. Pantoja looks a bit tired but somehow continues to hold the challenger down. Pantoja ends up with side control, Royval scrambles, but the champion remains in control as we approach one minute to go in this one. Royval looks for a heel hook, Pantoja avoids and ends up back on top. Royval keeps rolling, Pantoja doesn’t let him go too far, and the horn sounds to send this one to the judge’s scorecards.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Pantoja. 50-45 to Pantoja overall.

Result: Alexandre Pantoja (C) def. (#3) Brandon Royval via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)

(#5) Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. (#6) Stephen Thompson

Round One – Thompson lands a low kick to open the action. Thompson lands a left hook and Rakhmonov didn’t like it as he clinches ‘Wonderboy.’ Thompson defends well for the moment, Rakhmonov lands a few short shots from close range whilst clinched, and Thompson continues to remain upright despite takedown attempts from Rakhmonov. Not much going on along the fence and the horn sounds to end a somewhat uneventful opening frame.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Rakhmonov.

Round Two – Thompson lands a side kick to the body, then one to the knee, and Rakhmonov dives in for a takedown but Thompson keeps spinning and backs himself up to the fence. Rakhmonov has Thompson clinched against the fence and lands a knee to the body and trips Thompson down to the mat. Rakhmonov has Thompson in an extremely awkward position against the cage as Thompson is in a seated position but Rakhmonov has Thompson’s right wrist wrapped behind his back and uses it to flatten ‘Wonderboy’ out.

Rakhmonov gets under the chin and looks for the choke but Thompson does a tremendous job to turn to the back and Rakhmonov looses the hold. Rakhmonov is relentless and starts hammering elbows from the top. Rakhmonov gets to side control and starts lighting Thompson up with slashing elbows across the forehead. Thompson rolls to his stomach, Rakhmonov gets the back and looks for the choke as the clock ticks under 10-seconds to go but Thompson taps out! 18 fights, 18 wins, and 18 finishes for Shavkat Rakhmonov!

Result: (#5) Shavkat Rakhmonov def. (#6) Stephen Thompson via submission (rear-naked choke) (4:56, R2)

Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett

Round One – Pimblett pops the jab to start. Pimblett lands a heavy low kick, Ferguson returns the favor, adds a right hook to the body, and Pimblett slips to the mat but quickly pops back up. Pimblett dives in for a takedown but Ferguson stuffs the attempt and Pimblett backs off. Pimblett lands a low kick, Ferguson lands a counter right hook, and Pimblett lands yet another kick to Ferguson’s lead leg. Pimblett lands yet another low kick, then another, and pops the jab.

Pimblett lands a straight left, Ferguson lands a counter right hook, and Pimblett plants another kick onto Ferguson’s lead leg. Ferguson lands a jab, Pimblett stuns Ferguson with a right hook but nearly walks into an overhand left from Ferguson but just avoids it. Pimblett goes back to the well of low kicks then wallops Ferguson with a right hook.

Pimblett cracks Ferguson with a massive 1-2, Ferguson backs up to the fence, Pimblett lands a knee, then a right hook, Ferguson is down, Pimblett is landing hammer fists from the top. Ferguson spins to his stomach, Pimblett continues the barrage of shots, Ferguson spins to his back, Pimblett’s ground and pound is relentless but Ferguson keeps rolling around and somehow survives until the buzzer and this one is headed to round number two.

Fightful scores this round 10-8 to Pimblett.

Round Two – Ferguson lands a front kick to the body to begin round number two. Ferguson looks to be somewhat recovered but eats another right hand from Pimblett and it looks like he slipped down to the mat. Pimblett jumps on top, Ferguson is throwing elbows from his back, Pimblett stands and looks to advance his position but Ferguson is defending well for the time being. Pimblett starts firing down shot after shot, Ferguson looks for a triangle choke from his back but Pimblett avoids danger and slips out.

Pimblett is landing a few shots while Ferguson holds on with his hands clasped behind Pimblett’s head. Pimblett is starting to land heavier shots now and looks to step over into mount and looks for the head and arm choke. Pimblett starts opening up the offense again but Ferguson is doing a better job of defending than he did in the opening frame. The white corner pad on the fence is a bloodied up mess because of the damage taken by Ferguson but it looks like Pimblett’s nose is also leaking as the horn sounds to send this one to the third and final round.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Pimblett. 20-17 to Pimblett after two rounds.

Round Three – Pimblett lands a left hook to open the final frame. Pimblett lands a low kick and Ferguson stumbles a bit but looks to be relatively OK. Pimblett looks a bit tired and shoots a somewhat lazy takedown, Ferguson ends up on top but steps back and lets Pimblett back up. Ferguson lands a left hook, Pimblett dives down and is able to scoop and slam Ferguson down to the mat, and that could’ve been a massive moment for Pimblett, who looks to have a relatively drained gas tank with about three minutes to go. Ferguson needs to pull off a Hail Mary submission or scramble to his feet if he wants to sneak out the victory.

Pimblett looks content to ride out the final 90-or-so seconds to what should be a unanimous decision victory. Pimblett stands, Ferguson nearly gets back up but Pimblett shoves him back down as the clock ticks under one minute to go in this one. Ferguson has a guillotine and clasps his hands together but Pimblett powers out and avoids a near disasterous submission, the horn sounds, and this one is headed to the judge’s scorecards.

Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Pimblett. 30-26 to Pimblett overall.

Result: Paddy Pimblett def. Tony Ferguson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

(#6) Josh Emmett vs. (#10) Bryce Mitchell

Round One – Emmett whiffs on a few shots early as he looks to find his range against the agile Mitchell. Emmett quickly finds his range and CRUSHES Mitchell with an overhand right and Mitchell is out cold! What a finish from Josh Emmett! Mitchell is visibly shaking while still out cold but eventually is woken up and looks to be about as OK as he possibly can be.

Result: (#6) Josh Emmett def. (#10) Bryce Mitchell via KO (punch) (1:57, R1)

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