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 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 vs Colby Covington
Leon Edwards def. Colby Covington via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46).
And still! Never in doubt. Covington is pretending he thinks he was robbed.
UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington
Round 5
Covington is trying to escape, but Edwards has a version of a triangle choke... No! Covington escapes!
He’s in Edwards’s guard with half a round to go. Now into half-guard.
Covington with punches to the ribs of the champion. Edwards is content to hold Covington and avoid any risks.
Covington is looking for an arm-triangle choke with seconds left...
No! We’ll go to the scorecards. Covington appeals to the crowd, motioning that he thinks he has won.
He was dominated for most of the fight, though.
UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington
Round 5
Final round! Covington needs a finish. He blocks a high kick. Nice counter right hand by Edwards.
Covington with a single-leg takedown from range, and he gets it! He forces Edwards to the cage wall.
Edwards stands and looks to fight Covington’s grip, which he does, before tripping Covington! This has been a masterclass by Edwards.
He takes Covington’s back.
UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington
Round 4
Another takedown attempt by Covington. Again he is denied.
Front kick to the body and left hand by Edwards – beautiful.
Referee Herb Dean briefly pauses the action for an apparent low blow by Edwards, but Covington says it was fine.
Covington with a few successful left hands now! He shoots for another takedown. There’s a scramble, and he takes the back!
Forty seconds for Edwards to avoid any submissions or damage... and he reverses the position really well, before standing and engaging in a striking exchange.
Great composure by Edwards. Boos ring around the arena.
UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington
Round 4
Into the championship rounds. Edwards blocks a head kick. He denies Covington a takedown, but he is up against the fence...
D’Arce choke attempt by Edwards! Covington spins out of it! Front kick to the body by Edwards.
Clean southpaw cross by Edwards...
UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington
Round 3
Edwards opts to let Covington stand. It feels like he took down the wrestler just to prove a point.
Edwards avoids a one-two with ease again. He can see everything coming right now.
Edwards hammers a leg kick at Covington, who tries to catch it and land a takedown but to no avail.
Edwards 30-27 Covington.
UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington
Round 3
Covington tries a takedown attempt from range, but Edwards sees it coming from a mile away.
Edwards leans back to evade a one-two. Still he presses forward. Front kick to the body by Edwards.
Edwards nearly lands a right cross then kicks low and hard. Covington finally with a decent takedown attempt, and Edwards mistakenly tries to take the back, but instead he ends up with the American in his guard.
And Edwards stands with ease... then lands a good head kick! Now Edwards shoots for a takedown!
And he gets it done!
UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington
Round 2
Some boos ring around the arena. Covington is offering very little. He just about blocks a head kick.
Another hard leg kick by Edwards, who then flicks out a series of jab feints and blocks a head kick.
Another low kick hurts Covington. Edwards checks a leg-kick attempt. Wild uppercut misses for Covington.
Covington hops with a front kick to the body. Then he eats a left hand. More boos.
Decent right hand for Covington. And more boos.
UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington
Round 2
Covington opens the round with a body kick. Edwards wings a left hook but misses. Nice body kick by the champion, though.
Good counter right hand by Edwards! He continues to switch stances while stalking Covington.
Edwards kicks low. Covington misses with an overhand left. Edwards kicks low again.
UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington
Round 1
Not a lot thrown so far. Edwards lands a left hook in close, though, and Covington tries to laugh it off. Covington comes back with his own left hook, but Edwards lands a right straight.
Now Edwards fires off an inside low kick. Covington with a slow takedown attempt, which Edwards easily denies.
Edwards is strafing, keeping Covington on the back foot with intelligent pressure. Front kick to the body by Edwards; Covington returns in kind then just about lands a left hand.
Not the first round we expected, but it’s likely Edwards’s.
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