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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Danny Segura

UFC 296 play-by-play and live results

LAS VEGAS – UFC 296 took place Saturday, and you can view the events’ play-by-play and official results.

UFC 296 took place at T-Mobile Arena. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, welterweight champion Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA, 14-2 UFC) put his title on the line for the second time when he faced and defeated former interim champ Colby Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC). In the co-feature, flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja (27-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) outpointed challenger Brandon Royval (15-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC).

Below, you can find our round-by-round updates and official results:

Martin Buday vs. Shamil Gaziev

Round 1 – Big right hand by Gaziev! He’s backing up Buday now, who’s a little weary of the power. Good jab by Gaziev. Gaziev is walking down Buday. Buday’s nose is bleeding. Buday closes the distance and presses Gaziev against the cage. Gaziev breaks free, lands a combo on the break. A lot of power early by Gaziev. Three minutes left. Stiff jab by Gaziev. Big uppercut by Gaziev. Buday is bleeding form his eye. Very little offense of Buday. The referee halts the fight, to get Buday’s cut looked at by the doctor. The doctor says he’s ok. The fight resumes. Buday shoots for a takedown, Gaziev defends it and now Gaziev is on top. Ground-and-pound by Gaziev. Good control by Gaziev. Final minute. Buday turns to his back and gets ona knee. He falls back to the ground. Good shots from top by Gaziev. Buday gets to his feet. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Gaziev.

Round 2 –  Gaziev goes back to walking down Buday. Oh! Gaziev wobbles Buday with an elbow! He’s in an all-out attack! Buday covering up. More shots by Gaziev. It’s over! Standing TKO by Gaziev.

Result: Shamil Gaziev def. Martin Buday via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 0:56
Recap: Shamil Gaziev beats brakes off Martin Buday for standing TKO
Photos: Shamil Gaziev def. Martin Buday at UFC 296: Best photos
Post-fight interview: https://youtu.be/w6Wh9llabEo
Records: Gaziev (12-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Buday (13-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith

Lucas Almeida vs. Andre Fili

Round 1 – Fili walking down Almeida at the start here. Almeida happy to stay on the outside. Checked leg kick by Fili. Leg kick by Almeida. Body kick by Fili! A couple of hard leg kicks by Almeida. Body kick by Fili. They both trade leg kicks. Two minutes left. Oh! Fili cracks Almeida with a huge right hand! Fili jumps on Almeida. Non stop ground-and-pound! It’s over!

Result: Andre Fili def. Lucas Almeida via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:32
Recap: Andre Fili finishes Lucas Almeida with mad flurry TKO
Photos: Andre Fili def. Lucas Almeida at UFC 296: Best photos
Post-fight interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC2XlJPl_bU
Records: Fili (23-10 MMA, 11-9 UFC), Almeida (14-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog

Cody Durden vs. Tagir Ulanbekov

Round 1 – Hard leg kicks by Ulanbekov. Durden with a right hand. Leg kick by Durden. Another one. Oh! Right hand from Ulanbekov drops Durden! Ulanbekov sinks in a guillotine! It’s tight! Durden gets out and ends on top. Ulanbekov gets a reversal, but Durden gets back to his feet. They’re brawling now! Ulanbekov presses Durden against the cage. Durden reverses. Three minutes left. They break off. Good right hand by Durden. Good combo by Durden. Durden presses Ulanbekov against the cage. Ulanbekov gets a throw and takes down Durden. Good control by Ulanbekov, but little damage. Ulanbekov gets the back of Durden. Ulanbekov sinks in a rear-naked choke! Durden slips out and the bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Ulanbekov.

Round 2 – Good right hand by Durden! He now presses Ulanbekov against the cage. Ulanbekov hits a throw and gets Durden to the ground. Good elbow from bottom by Durden. Ulanbekov gets the back once again. He’s working the rear-naked choke, but Durden defending well. This is all while standing. Two minutes left. Just control here, little damage done by Ulanbekov. Another rear-naked choke attempt by Ulanbekov. It’s tight! There’s the tap.

Result: Tagir Ulanbekov def. Cody Durden via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:25
Recap: Tagir Ulanbekov taps Cody Durden with relentless submission attack
Photos: Tagir Ulanbekov def. Cody Durden at UFC 296: Best photos
Post-fight interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZoy9F18HpM
Records: Ulanbekov (15-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Durden (16-5-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee:Chris Tognoni

Ariane Lipski vs. Casey O'Neill

Round 1 – Clean right hand by Lipski. Lipski came out agressive! A couple of hooks connect for Lipski. Leg kick by Lipski. O’Neill shoots for a takedown, but fails. She’s now pressing Lipski against the cage. Lipski almost immediately breaks free. Left hook lands for O’Neill. The pace is slowing down. Good leg kickby Lipski. Oh! Big right hand by Lipski! O’Neill backs up. Looks like she’s fine. Two minutes left. O’Neill with a good right. O’Neill tries to takedown Lipski, but gets thrown in a reversal. Lipski lets O’Neill back up. O’Neill pressuring Lipski here. Good leg kick by O’Neill. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Lipski.

Round 2 – Oh! Lipski hurts O’Neill with a huge right! O’Neill goes down! Lipski all over her with ground-and-pound! More shots from Lipski! Lipski now takes the back. She’s working a rear-naked choke! Lipski transitions to an armbar! There’s the tap! Wow.

Result: Ariane Lipski def. Casey O’Neill via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 1:18
Recap: Ariane Lipski contorts Casey O’Neill’s arm for gruesome submission
Photos: Ariane Lipski def. Casey O’Neill at UFC 296: Best photos
Post-fight interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAx39JzFq3k
Records: Lipski (17-8 MMA, 6-5 UFC), O’Neill (9-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2
Referee: Mark Smith

Cody Garbrandt vs. Brian Kelleher

Round 1 – Good hook by Garbrandt. Kelleher with a leg kick. Another one and this time it buckles Garbrandt. Another one. Man, these are hard. Leg kick by Garbrandt. Kelleher pressing Garbrandt. Garbrandt content with staying on the outside. Kelleher presses Garbrandt against the cage. Three minutes left. Garbrandt breaks free 20 seconds later. Good combo by Garbrandt. Hard leg kick by Kelleher. Garbrandt now presses Kelleher against the cage. They break free. Good combo by Garbrandt pushes back Kelleher. Oh! Garbrandt wobbles Kelleher! The right hand puts him down. It’s over! What a showing by Garbrandt.

Result: Cody Garbrandt def. Brian Kelleher via KO (right hook) – Round 1, 3:42
Recap: Cody Garbrandt lands first-round walkoff KO, calls out Deiveson Figueiredo
Photos: Cody Garbrandt def. Brian Kelleher at UFC 296: Best photos
Post-fight interview: https://youtu.be/gSAmVHa_5pY
Records: Garbrandt (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC), Kelleher (24-15 MMA, 8-8 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN2
Referee: Marc Goddard

Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa

Round 1 – Leg kick by Rosa. Aldana using movement and staying on the outside. Good jab by Aldana. Leg kick by Rosa. Aldana eats a right hand and then a leg kick. More leg kicks by Rosa. Clean combo by Aldana. Huge leg kick by Rosa spins Aldana. Anothr leg kick. More leg kicks. Aldana’s lead leg is already bruised. Brutal leg kicks by Rosa. More and more. Halfway through the round. Aldana now pressuring Rosa. More leg kicks by Rosa. Aldana’s leg is giving out. One minute left. Good one, two by Aldana. Man, Rsa is relentless with the leg kicks. Good jab by Aldana. Rosa is bleeding from her nose. Good straight right by Aldana. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Rosa.

Round 2 – Rosa goes back to attacking the legs. Man, Aldana’s leg is a mess. Aldana is having trouble standing. More and more leg kicks by Rosa. Solid right hand by Rosa. She’s clearly outstriking Aldana here. Oh! Aldana clips Rosa with a right! Aldana is aggressive now! Left hook by Aldana! Left hook then jab by Aldana. Body shot by Aldana. Rosa is slowing down. Two minutes left. Leg kick by Rosa. Jab by Aldana snaps back the head of Rosa. This is a great fight. Rosa with a right hook. Big leg kick by Rosa. Oh! Huge shot by Aldana stuns Rosa! What an uppercut by Aldana. The two trade shots right as the bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Aldana.

Round 3 – Oh! Big shot by Aldana! Rosa shoots for a takedown but fails. One two by Aldana. Rosa with a leg kicks. Jab by Aldana. Brutal leg kick by Rosa. Man, this is close. Right hand from Rosa. Nice combo by Aldana. Rosa’s left eye is almost shut. Aldana with a nasty body shot. Rosa in trouble! Aldana is upping the pressure. Right hand by Aldana! Rosa is bleeding bad from her right eye. Another body shot by Aldana! Rosa is in trouble. More leg kicks by Rosa. Jab by Aldana. Uppercut by Aldana. Rosa is tough! Leg kick by Rosa. One minute left. Jabs by Aldana. Big right hook by Aldana. Rosa is a bloody mess. This fight is ridiculous. Leg kick by Rosa. They brawl! What a war!

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Aldana. Overall 29-28, Aldana.

Result: Irene Aldana def. Karol Rosa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Irene Aldana def. Karol Rosa at UFC 296: Best photos
Post-fight interview:
Records: Aldana (15-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC), Rosa (17-6 MMA, 6-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN2
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Derek Cleary, Ron McCarthy, Jacob Montalvo 29-28.

Dustin Jacoby vs. Alonzo Menifield

Round 1 – Good jabs by Jacoby. Leg kick by Jacoby. Menifield throwing heat, but has yet to land. Good jabs by Jacoby. More jabs. Left hook by Menifield. Menifield shoots for a takedown and Jacoby stuffs it with ease. Clean right by Jacoby, who’s walking down Menifield. Two minutes left. Menifield tries to take down Jacoby, but gets clinched and pressed against the cage. Jacoby controlling, but not doing much damage. The crowd boos. One minute left. Menifield reverse the position. Jacoby lands a couple of knees. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Jacoby.

Round 2 – Menifield comes out pressing here. Oh! Huge shot drops Jacoby! Menifield rushes. Jacoby recovers quickly. Menifield not attacking here. Jacoby standing in the middle using his jabs. Big leg kick by Menifield. Good jab by Jacoby. Leg kick by Menifield. Big right by Menifield stuns Jacoby. Big right hook from Jacoby wobbles Menifield! Now Menifield wobbles Jacoby! What a sequence! Jab by Jacoby. Two minutes left. Nice jabs by Jacoby appear to hurt Menifield. Leg kick by Menifield. More jabs by Jacoby. Menifield is bleeding from his mouth. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Menifield.

Round 3 – Menifield comes out pressing. Good jabs by Jacoby. Menifield is bleeding from his nose and mouth. Jacoby keeps popping him with the jab. Huge right by Jacoby! Jacoby walking down Menifield. Another right. One, two by Jacoby. Beautiful jab work by Jacoby. Menifield is getting picked apart here. More jabs. Three minutes left. Oh! Menifield sits down Jacoby with a huge left! Menifield is landing shots against the cage! Menifield gets the takedown! Jacoby gets up and now presses Menifield against the cage. Good body shots by Jacoby. They swap positions again and again. Menifield now pressing Jacoby against the cage. Jacoby presses Menifield. He’s looking for the takedown. Good defense by Menifield. Menifield back in control. Big left by Menifield as they break. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Menifield. Overall 29-28, Menifield.

Result: Alonzo Menifield def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Alonzo Menifield def. Dustin Jacoby at UFC 296: Best photos
Post-fight interview: https://youtu.be/7NH27xhuxqs
Records: Menifield (15-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC), Jacoby (19-8-1 MMA, 7-5-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee, Tony Weeks 29-28.

Josh Emmett vs. Bryce Mitchell

Round 1 – Mitchell comes out pressuring Emmett. A lot of fainting here, not muc is landing. Three minutes left. Oh! Emmett one-shots Mitchell! Oh my! Mitchell is shaking. Frighting KO.

Result: Josh Emmett def. Bryce Mitchell via KO (right hook) – Round 1, 1:57
Recap: Josh Emmett absolutely crushes Bryce Mitchell in devastating walkoff KO
Photos: Josh Emmett def. Bryce Mitchell at UFC 296: Best photos
Post-fight interview: https://youtu.be/VrDn545VtCE
Records: Emmett (19-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC), Mitchell (16-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Herb Dean

Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett

Round 1 – Leg kick by Pimblett. Another one. Ferguson with a right hand. Ferguson chasing Pimblett here. Pimblett shoots for a takedown, but fails. Leg kick by Pimblett. Another one. Body kick by Pimblett followed by a leg kick. Good body shot by Ferguson. Leg kick by Pimblett. And a stiff jab by Ferguson. Ferguson is pressing the action here. Oh! Big left lands for Ferguson. Pimblett with a big right! Ferguson is hurt! Pimblett upping the pressure. Left connects for Ferguson. Pimblett is bleeding from his nose. Pimblett connecting more often here, letting his hands fly. One minute left. Nasty combo by Pimblett! Ferguson goes down! Pimblett all over him. Pimblett takes the back now. Big shots from top! Ferguson is in trouble! The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pimblett.

Round 2 – Good front kick by Ferguson. Ferguson slips and Pimblett gets on top. Good elbows by Ferguson from bottom! Pimblett is bleeding from his nose. Heavy ground and-pound from Pimblett! Ferguson trying to set up a triangle. Three minutes left. Pimblett takes Ferguson to the cage. More shots from top by Pimblett. Pimblett passes Ferguson’s guard. Ferguson recovers the guard. Good control here by Pimblett, but no damage. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pimblett.

Round 3 – Right hand lands for Pimblett. Ferguson is pressing him. Good uppercut by Ferguson. Pimblett shoots for a takedown and fails. Pimblett looks exhausted. Ferguson with the pressure here. Pimblett shoots and presses Ferguson against the cage. He gets the takedown. Good elbow from Pimblett. Pimbeltt passes guard and gets half guard. Two minutes left. Good elbows from Ferguson! Ferguson is trying to get up, but Pimblett staying on him. One minute left. Ferguson goes for a guillotine! Pimblett gets out. Good shots from top by Pimblett. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pimblett. Overall 30-27, Pimblett.

Result: Paddy Pimblett def. Tony Ferguson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap: Paddy Pimblett dominates Tony Ferguson to final bell
Photos: Paddy Pimblett def. Tony Ferguson at UFC 296: Best photos
Post-fight interview:
Records: Pimblett (21-3 MMA, 5-0 UFC), Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Derek Cleary, Sal D’Amato, Junichiro Kamijo 30-27.

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson

Round 1 – Leg kick by Thompson. Oh! Big left by Thompson connects. Rakhmonov clinches Thompson and presses him against the cage. Rakhmonov looking for the takedown. Thompson is doing a great job at defending, but Rakhmonov is controlling him against the cage. Three minutes left. The crowd is booing. Good short shots by Rakhmonov. Great takedown defense by Thompson. Not much going on. One minute left. Thompson breaks free. Good body kick by Thompson. Another one. Good right hand by Thompson. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Rakhmonov.

Round 2 – Body kick by Thompson. Good right hand by Thompson. Rakhmonov shoots for a takedown and Thompson defends it! Rakhmonov does press Thompson against the cage. Good elbows from Thompson. Rakhmonov controlling, but not doing much. The crowd boos. Rakhmonov finally gets the takedown. Rakhmonov controlling against the cage. Rakhmonov is going for the rear-naked choke! Thompson gets out. Rakhmonov working from half guard. Some shots from top by Rakhmonov. One minute left. Thompson gets on his knees, but Rakhmonov takes the back! Rakhmonov going for a rear-naked choke! It’s over. There’s the tap.

Result: Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Stephen Thompson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:56
Recap: Shavkat Rakhmonov rear-naked chokes Stephen Thompson, calls for title shot
Photos: Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Stephen Thompson at UFC 296: Best photos
Post-fight interview: https://youtu.be/eJ0EawUYHM8
Records: Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), Thompson (17-7-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Jason Herzog

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval

Round 1 – Pantoja comes out firing! He’s rushes Royval. Takedown attempt fails for Pantoja. Good leg kicks by Pantoja. Good right hand by Pantoja. Leg kick by Pantoja and then a body kick. Another one. Royval has yet to land clean. More kicks by Pantoja. Pantoja shoots and gets a takedown. Three minutes left. Some shots from bottom by Royval. Good up-kicks by Royval as Pantoja stands over him. Pantoja gets on top again. He’s working from half guard. One minute left. Royval goes for a leg lock, but Pantoja gets out and gets mount. Royval gets up. Good body kick by Pantoja. Jab by Royval. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pantoja.

Round 2 – Big right wobbles Royval! Pantoja pressing him now. Pantoja tries to take the fight to the ground, but fails. Second time is the charm, there’s the takedown. Pantoja moves to half guard. Great control here by Pantoja, but very little damage.  Two minutes left. Pantoja moves to side control. Now back to side control. Some ground-and-pound by Pantoja. Pantoja lets him back up. Oh! A one, two wobbles Royval. Pantoja takes the fight to the ground. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pantoja.

Round 3 – Good right hand by Pantoja! It wobbles Royval. Another takedown by Pantoja about 30 seconds in. Pantoja moves to mount! He tries to take the back and they scramble! They’re back standing. Good jab by Royval. Pantoja closes the distance, he tries to take down Royval but fails. Pantoja looks tired. Pantoja shoots and presses Royval against the cage. We’re halfway through the round. Leg kick by Pantoja. Good jabs by Royval. A couple of hard right hooks by Pantoja. Leg kicks by Pantoja. Good knee by Royval! Pantoja shoots and takes down Royval. Pantoja controls Royval all the way to the bell.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pantoja.

Round 4 – Pantoja immediately shoots and gets the takedown on Royval. Complete control by Pantoja here! Pnatoja takes his back! He locks the body triangle. Three minutes left. Little damage, but complete control by Pantoja. Pantoja is fishing for the rear-naked choke! It looks tight! Royval gets out! Pantoja in complete control here. Royval gets out! Ge’s on top landing big shots! Pantoja goes for a leg lock! The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pantoja.

Round 5 – Good combo by Royval. Pantoja with a solid right hand. Royval is clearly more fresh than Pantoja. Good jab by Royval. Leg kicks by Pantoja. These two are going at it! Good combo by Royval! Pantoja looks exhausted. Leg kicks by Pantoja. Good jabs by Royval! Pantoja shoots and presses Royval against the cage. Halfway through the round. Pantoja gets the takedown. Pantoja working from half guard. Good shots by Pantoja. One minute left. Pantoja with solid control here. Pantoja controls all the way to the final bell. He ends the fight on mount.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Royval. Overall 49-46, Pantoja.

Result: Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Royval via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45-49-46) – to defend flyweight title
Recap: Alexandre Pantoja retains title, makes it two-for-two vs. Brandon Royval
Photos: Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Royval at UFC 296: Best photos
Post-fight interview:
Records: Pantoja (27-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC), Royval (15-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: Junichiro Kamijo, Ron McCartthy 50-45. Eric Colon 49-46.

Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington

Round 1 – Edwards walking down Covington here, but staying cautious. Not much being thrown. Covington on the outside. Leg kick by Edwards. Three minutes left. Left hand connects for Covington. Both connect in an exchange. Oh! Clean left-hand backs up Covington. Covington shoots for a takedown and Edwards stuffs it. Back to striking. Edwards walking down Covington. One minute left. Hard leg kick by Edwards. The bell ring.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Edwards.

Round 2 – Nice body kick by Edwards. Again, Edwards backing up Covington here. Oh! Good right hand by Edwards. Covington is very gun shy. Another leg kick by Edwards. Covington’s lead leg is bruised up. Three minutes left. Leg kick by Covington. The crowd is booing. Very low output from both, especially Covington. Left connects for Edwards. Two minutes left. Big leg kick by Edwards. Left hook lands for Edwards. Covington is not doing anything here. Very odd. The crowd is booing. This is 10 minutes of Edwards slowly picking apart Covington. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Edwards.

Round 3 – Back to the same dynamic, Covington backs up, as Edwards slowly picks him apart. Huge leg kick buckles Covington. Covington shoots and gets the takedown! Three minutes left. Edwards quickly gets back up and lands a head kick. Edwards now shoots and takes down Covington. He lets Covington back up. Two minutes left. Leg kick by Edwards. Left connects for Covington. Leg kick from Covington. Another one. Leg kick by Edwards. One minute left. Leg kick by Edwards. They both trade leg kicks. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Edwards.

Round 4 – Covington shoots and presses Edwards against the cage. Edwards locks in a front choke! Covington gets out and back to striking. Oh! Big left connects for Edwards. Edwards walking him down. Three minutes left. A left and then a right connects for Covington. He shoots and presses Edwards against the cage. Covington working hard for the takedown. Edwards defends and fight continues on the feet. Body kick by Edwards. Covington connects with two consecutive lefts. Covington shoots and presses Edwards against the cage. Covington gets the takedown! They scramble and Edwards gets back up. Leg kick by Covington. The bell rings.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Edwards.

Round 5 – Covington shoots and gets a takedown! Four minutes left. Edwards gets up against the fence and reverses Covington. Edwards now halfway takes the back of Covington. Three minutes left. It looks like Covington has a reverse triangle! Covington escapes, and now he’s on top! Some small shots land for Covington, but nothing significant. Two minutes left. Covington controlling, but nothing more than that. One minute left. Covington controls all the way to the final bell.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Covington. Overall 49-46, Edwards.

Result: Leon Edwards def. Colby Covington via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) – to defend welterweight title
Recap: Leon Edwards retains title in uneventful main event against Colby Covington
Photos: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington at UFC 296: Best photos
Post-fight interview:
Records: Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC), Covington (17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Derek Cleary, Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee 49-46.

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