UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington fight updates and results tonight

Re-live the action after Britain’s Edwards defended the welterweight title against the controversial American

Leon Edwards reveals Colby Covington's father joke made him 'cry with rage'

Leon Edwards retained the UFC welterweight title with a clinical performance against Colby Covington on Saturday, easing to a points win in Las Vegas.

The Jamaican-born Britan showed off his superiority in the striking exchanges and even out-grappled the wrestling specialist for periods of the fight, which headlined UFC 296 at the T-Mobile Arena.

The controversial Covington, 35, is famed for his offensive wrestling and relentless pressure, but he was surprisingly inactive against Edwards, 32. The champion was able to pick off the American at range, while denying the majority of Covington’s sporadic takedown attempts.

In one of Edwards’s most impressive moments, he stuffed a takedown before nailing Covington with a head kick, before proceeding to take down his challenger – as if to make a point.

Covington, who had ex-US president Donald Trump supporting him from ringside, was able to employ his grappling more effectively in the fifth and final round, ending the fight on top. However, it was too little and too late for the American, who was beaten 49-46 on all three scorecards.

Re-live updates and results from the prelims, main card and main event of UFC 296, below.

UFC 296 LIVE

• Leon Edwards picks apart Colby Covington to retain welterweight title
• Alexandre Pantoja retains flyweight title vs Brandon Royval in co-main event
• Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett dominates lightweight legend Tony Ferguson
• Shavkat Rakhmonov submits Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson
• Josh Emmett crumples Bryce Mitchell with hellacious KO
• Donald Trump arrives at UFC 296 to support friend Covington

[17 December 2023 04:17 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen 'Wonderboy’ Thompson

Round 1

Here we go! Both men stand orthodox. Thompson kicks low from that typical karate stance.

Now Thompson goes southpaw as Rakhmonov closes range and grapples him against the fence.

Rakhmonov is working on a trip, but Thompson is defending stubbornly so far.

Rakhmonov eventually grabs a single-leg and lands a couple of hard punches, but Thompson is still standing.

Rakhmonov lets go and gets back to holding the American. Boos now from the crowd.

Finally Thompson gets free and lands a nice body kick. And another. Decent cross, but Rakhmonov times a jab well in response.

[17 December 2023 04:13 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen 'Wonderboy’ Thompson

Rakhmonov last fought in March, submitting Geoff Neal in a bout in which the Kazakh fighter also showed off his striking ability.

However, the 29-year-old did absorb a lot of clean shots that night, which will give hope to Thompson.

“Wonderboy”, 40, always walks out to a Tenacious D song of the same name, and the band is walking him to the ring as we speak.

The American last fought 12 months ago, beating Kevin Holland via TKO.

[17 December 2023 04:04 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen 'Wonderboy’ Thompson

Next up, a welterweight thriller?

Former title challenger and karate specialist Stephen Thompson faces Shavkat Rakhmonov, who is 17-0 with 17 finishes.

[17 December 2023 04:02 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson

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

There it is. Pimblett goes 5-0 in the UFC; Ferguson has now lost seven in a row.

Pimblett: “Everyone give a round of applause, let’s hear it for Tony f***ing Ferguson. It’s an honour to share a cage with him. How did he survive that first round?”

[17 December 2023 03:56 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson

Round 3

Big right hand for Pimblett. Hard leg kick by the Liverpudlian, too. Ferguson fires back with a body kick.

Pimblett tries for a takedown, and Ferguson counters with a D’Arce choke attempt! He lets go, however.

Pimblett suddenly looks exhausted. Ferguson is coming forward. Decent uppercut by the American.

But Pimblett with a lift and takedown! Is he getting a second wind? Ferguson with elbows from the bottom.

There looks to be an opening for a Kimura, but Ferguson doesn’t attack it at all. Pimblett is happy to stay in Ferguson’s guard and rain down punches. Ferguson is trying for a guillotine, but it’s not there for him.

We’ll go to the scorecards, where Pimblett will win a convincing decision.

[17 December 2023 03:52 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson

Round 2

Ferguson presses forward but eats a one-two. Ferguson misses with a head kick and falls to the mat, and Pimblett dives into his guard.

Some nice elbows from Ferguson from below, but Pimblett comes back with some punches. It looks like Pimblett might be bleeding from one of those elbows...

Ferguson is holding Pimblett in place above him for now.

Pimblett is able to pass the guard, however, and he’s thinking of an arm-triangle choke... Ferguson keeps him at bay a while longer.

Ferguson needs a big final round...

[17 December 2023 03:46 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson

Round 1

Pimblett with a head kick from southpaw. Ferguson evades it, then floors Pimblett with a low kick.

Now Ferguson blocks a body kick and scoots back to deny Pimblett a takedown attempt. The Liverpudlian then kicks low.

And again, with Ferguson narrowly missing as he tries to counter with an overhand right. Strong body kick from Pimblett, who then kicks low.

Nice left hook by Ferguson upstairs, then he lands two crosses to the body. Well-timed jab by Ferguson up top.

Another harsh low kick by Pimblett, then both fighters are tagged with punches as they hang their chins out! A bad habit that both guys have.

Both guys are landing clean shots now! It feels like either fighter could go down at any time. “Tony” and “USA” are the chants in the T-Mobile Arena.

OH! Pimblett with three clean punches to the head then a brutal flying knee! Ferguson goes down, and Pimblett tries to take the back!!

Pimblett with clean ground and pound, and Ferguson again gives up the back, but he makes it to the buzzer! What a round!

[17 December 2023 03:37 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson

Pimblett, 29 in two weeks, last fought 12 months ago, winning a very controversial decision over Jared Gordon.

Regardless, the Briton is 4-0 in the UFC as he prepares for his toughest test yet.

Ferguson, though, is admittedly out of form. The 39-year-old has not won since 2019.

Here we go!!

[17 December 2023 03:34 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson

This should be fun; it could certainly be messy.

Former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson looks to snap a six-fight losing streak, as he faces rising Liverpudlian star Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett.

Paddy Pimblett before facing Jared Gordon at UFC 282 (Getty Images)

[17 December 2023 03:24 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Josh Emmett vs Bryce Mitchell

Mitchell walked onto a right overhand and just hit the canvas at once. He’s twitching on the canvas, this is scary stuff.

Eventually, Mitchell is able to stand, but he’s still on unsteady legs.

He should be sitting, but he walks out of the Octagon. At least he’s cognisant.

Josh Emmett def. Bryce Mitchell via first-round KO (punch, 1:57).