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UFC 296 Results, Highlights, and Analysis

In a tense main event, Leon Edwards defeated Colby Covington at UFC 296

Justin Barrasso

UFC 296 Results, Highlights, and Analysis
UFC 296 Results, Highlights, and Analysis /

Leon Edwards defeats Colby Covington at UFC 296

Colby Covington has fought three times for the undisputed UFC welterweight championship.

And he has lost all three times.

Leon Edwards defeated Covington by unanimous decision, retaining his welterweight title in the process. Even with former United States President Donald Trump sitting cageside, Covington was unable to deliver a career-defining win, instead looking slow and old at the age of 35.

Edwards (22-3, 1 NC) controlled the first four rounds. Covington (17-4) did not dominate with his cardio, and Edwards even chose to grapple with Covington. Edwards proved he was better than Covington, and he kept his composure even after Covington mocked Edwards’ father’s death.

In Covington’s first fight since March of 2022, he surprisingly did not open with forward pressure. The first round favored Edwards’ pace and distance, and he delivered the best shot with a left hand. Covington did not pressure Edwards, mainly because he paid for it when he advanced. That was the same story in the second round, as Edward’s technical proficiency was precise. Edwards also battered Covington’s right leg with kicks throughout the first two rounds, as Covington fought with a very reactionary approach.

The third round featured far more grappling. Covington briefly had an advantage on the ground with a takedown, but it did not last long. Edwards returned to his feet, then executed his own takedown, a message that he was going to dominate this fight.

Covington entered the fourth round with a battered right leg. That limited Covington’s mobility, and Edwards was methodical in his approach, refusing to take any unnecessary risks. Covington was able to connect with some strikes as he began to take risks of his own, but through four, the fight belonged to Edwards.

The fifth round picked up a minute in when Covington executed a takedown. Incredibly, Edwards was content to grapple with Covington, which ultimately backfired as Covington took the top position. The optics were not great, as Edwards stayed on the ground as Covington finally seized control of a round, but the vast majority of the fight belonged to Edwards.

For Covington, he is no longer part of the title picture. Edwards will now focus on new challengers in Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov as he continues his reign as champion.

Alexandre Pantoja retains flyweight title at UFC 296

Alexandre Pantoja was too much for Brandon Royval.

Pantoja made his first defense as flyweight champion by defeating Royval, retaining the title by unanimous decision.

Royval saved his best for the final round, hammering Pantoja over the first two minutes, but it was not enough. A takedown by Pantoja with two-minutes-and-twenty-seconds left in the fifth effectively ended that threat, securing the win for the champ.

This was the second fight between the two men. Pantoja also defeated Royval in August of 2021. Pantoja (27-5) exploited Royval’s takedown defense in this encounter, repeatedly bringing him to the mat.

Pantoja has never been finished, a fact that Royval (15-7) could not change. Despite a great showing from Royval, Pantoja was better.

Entering 2024, the flyweight division runs through Alexandre Pantoja.

Shavkat Rakhmonov submits Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson

So much for my expertise.

Major Upset Set For UFC 296

After predicting the opposite, Shavkat Rakhmonov defeated Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, forcing Thompson to tap with four seconds remaining in the second round.

Shavkat

Thompson (17-7-1) was competitive on his feet, but Rakhmonov made sure to dictate the pace of this fight. The fighting sensation from Kazakhstan, Rakhmonov (18-0) continued his 100 percent finishing rate. He also forced Thompson to tap for the first time in his career, an extremely impressive feat.

More than three minutes of clinch time likely won the first round for Rakhmonov, but Thompson landed the more effective shots. This looked to be over in the second round as Rakhmonov secured a chokehold, yet Thompson broke free.

The third round was all Rakhmonov. This win vaults him near the top of title contention, though Belal Muhammad should still be in front of him for a shot at the welterweight title.

Paddy Pimblett defeats Tony Ferguson by unanimous decision

Paddy Pimblett picked up his seventh win in a row, giving Tony Ferguson his seventh consecutive loss, in a unanimous decision at UFC 296.

That was likely the UFC farewell for Ferguson (25-10), who lost all three rounds to Pimblett (21-3). Pimblett was dominant in the top guard position, controlling the final two rounds.

The first round also belonged to Pimblett, who chopped away with calf kicks before stunning Ferguson with three right hands. Ferguson just barely escaped the first round, and his refusal to quit was entirely visible in the second round. Yet round two was all Pimblett with ground-and-pound, as he controlled the entire five minutes.

There was reason for optimism in the third for Ferguson, who appeared to be dealing with an especially fatigued Pimblett. After Pimblett’s nose was bleeding in the second, it is possible he was dealing with blood in the back of his throat. But he brought Ferguson to the mat and kept him there, refusing to allow the fight to return to the feet.

Pimblett’s grappling was a real strength in the third, where he was able to prevent any last-minute heroics from Ferguson. This was the best 15 minutes of Pimblett’s career, and he takes home the most significant victory of his career as he continues to make his climb in the lightweight division.

Josh Emmett obliterates Bryce Mitchell

Josh Emmett delivered a vicious right hand in the opening round, knocking out Bryce Mitchell in the UFC 296 pay-per-view opener.

Courtesy Zuffa LLC
Courtesy Zuffa LLC

The shot was so brutal that it caused Mitchell to have convulsions while down on the ground. His legs were still buckling by the time the decision was about to be announced, and though he was walking, he needed help to exit the cage.

This was one of the biggest one-punch knockouts of all-time. Mitchell took the bout on two weeks’ notice, but it was a devastating finish as he moved toward the blow.

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Emmett (19-4) had lost his first two fights in 2023, all but removing him from the featherweight title picture. Yet he put himself back in the mix by beating Mitchell (16-2) in less than two minutes, showcasing his power in extraordinary manner.

Eventually, if a person runs their mouth long enough, someone will come along and shut it.

Colby Covington has been talking too much, too long, and too loud. Despite back-to-back losses against Kamaru Usman, both fights were close, and the second ended in a narrow decision. Covington has only fought once since, running circles around Jorge Masvidal, and he has continued to run his mouth.

Leon Edwards seeks to change that tonight in the main event of UFC 296.

Courtesy Zuffa LLC
Courtesy Zuffa LLC

Edwards and Covington headline an entertaining card. And there have already been fireworks.

During the prelims, Irene Aldana defeated Karol Rosa in an exceptional fight. Despite outrageous leg swelling, Aldana pierced Rosa apart in an instant contender for Fight of the Year. Following a devastating loss to Amanda Nunes in June, this win allows Aldana to end the year on a much more positive note.

The last UFC pay-per-view of the year also features Tony Ferguson against Paddy Pimblett, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson against Shavkat Rakhmonov, and flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja making his first title defense in a bout against Brandon Royval. Tucker Carlson’s biggest fan, Bryce Mitchell, looks to win on short-notice in the opening bout against Josh Emmett.

Yet all the focus here will be on the welterweight title bout. The scene has been particularly heated since Covington slung an insult at Edwards’ deceased father.

“I was never supposed to be UFC champion,” Edwards told Sports Illustrated in March. “I was born in poverty, had a dad involved in gang crime, which caused his murder, and I was going down the same path. I’m not supposed to be here. But here I am.”

Covington’s insult was distasteful and, clearly, intended to disrupt Edwards’ mindset and approach before this fight. A sobering reminder that the fight world can be a cruel place, Covington received cheers after making the comment.

A volatile situation has further intensified with Covington’s comment. In just a few hours, time will tell if Edwards forces Covington to eat those words–or if he will celebrate with former United States President Donald Trump as the new UFC welterweight champion.

Published
Justin Barrasso
JUSTIN BARRASSO

Justin Barrasso has been writing for Sports Illustrated since 2014. While his primary focus is pro wrestling and MMA, he has also covered MLB, NBA, and the NFL. He can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.

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