Las Vegas plays host to a grudge match of the ages.
UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards defends his title again, this time versus former interim champion Colby Covington. Edwards look to put together title defense #2 while ‘Chaos’ wants to finally seize undisputed gold on his third title challenge.
The UFC 296 headliner happens from the T-Mobile Arena, with the winner taking home the belt as well as massive bragging rights.
Round 1:
Covington misses on his first few kicks. Covington and Edwards are hesitant to strike. They throw strikes from a distance that don’t find their targets. Edwards hits Covington with a left hand. Covington smiles, trying to land a shot of his own. Edwards fires a leg kick. Edwards stuffs a takedown attempt from Covington. Edwards fires a left hand. Edwards lands a few leg kicks.
CDS: 10-9 Edwards
Round 2:
Edwards lands kick to the body. Edwards presses forward against Covington, keeping him up against the cage. Edwards lands a leg kick. Covington returns with some of his own. Edwards throws a headkick. Edwards’ leg kicks continue to land. Edwards tags Covington with a left hand. Covington is kept on the back foot.
CDS: 10-9 Edwards
Round 3:
Covington looks for a takedown but doesn’t find it against the already expecting champion. Big swing and a miss from Covington. Edwards lands a body kick. Covington shoots for a takedown in which Edwards tries to reverse position. He nearly succeeds but is stopped by Covington’s wrestling. Edwards lands a headkick when he gets back up to this feet. Edwards is the one to take Covington down, however it’s only for a moment as ‘Chaos’ finds his way up. Covington lands a leg kick, Edwards returns fire. Edwards eludes most of Covington’s strikes, stepping away just in time. They trade leg kicks.
CDS: 10-9 Edwards
Round 4:
Covington goes up top with a headkick but misses. Covington closes the distance with a takedown attempt to which Edwards tries to tie up his neck. Covington escapes the submission threat. Edwards fires a crisp left hand. Front kick to the body lands for Edwards. Covington rushes in for a takedown against the cage. Edwards manages to stay on his feet for the most part.
Covington loads up on a left hand. Covington tags the champ with a right hand. Covington presses Edwards against the cage. Edwards defends a takedown, but loses top position to Covington in fast scramble. Edwards works his way up to the feet.
CDS: 10-9 Edwards
Round 5:
Edwards fires a headkick to begin the final round. Edwards’ leg is caught up by Covington, who takes him down. Edwards gets back up to his feet and snatches a takedown on Covington himself. The champion takes the back of ‘Chaos’. Edwards goes for an arm-bar on Covington but the challenger escapes the submission, getting on top in the process.
Covington holds top position for the remainder of the round, not being able to do much with it but land a few strikes to close out the round.
CDS: 10-9 Covington (total score: 49-46 Edwards)
Official result: Leon Edwards defeats Colby Covington by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Check out the highlights below:
HERE. WE. GO.
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
The final fight of 2023 starts NOW! #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/85NNbHgJfY
Championship rounds for our #UFC296 main event!
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Who's winning on your scorecards? 📝 pic.twitter.com/9a5bVaRz3d
Go inside Covington's corner ahead of Round 5 #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/DeOIuxm7Cs
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
25 minutes in the books!
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
STRONG showing for the champ. Decision on the way #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/SFAfzqdfua
