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 05:46 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

Round 1

Covington with a lazy head kick attempt early on, then an oblique kick low. Edwards presses forward, standing orthodox. Now he switches back and forth between stances.

Edwards flicks out a front kick, but his challenger is out of range. Covington is being a lot more patient than usual, and Edwards is looking to not get carried away either.

A “Colby” chant briefly rings around the arena.

[17 December 2023 05:43 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

HERE, WE, GO! Main event under way!

Five rounds scheduled, 25 minutes if needed.

No touch of gloves, obviously.

[17 December 2023 05:41 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

Bruce Buffer with the fighter introductions.

[17 December 2023 05:38 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

Now here comes Edwards, soaking in the boos in the T-Mobile Arena.

[17 December 2023 05:37 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

Donald Trump is here to support Covington, who showed his support for the former US president in unique fashion earlier this week...

In fact, Covington just went and spoke to Trump before entering the Octagon.

[17 December 2023 05:33 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

Can Edwards stay composed. after Covington drew an emotional response from the champion by insulting his late father this week?

[17 December 2023 05:32 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

Covington is out first, emerging to the walkout song of WWE legend Kurt Angle, as he tends to do.

[17 December 2023 05:28 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

While we wait for the ring walks, check out our main-event preview:

[17 December 2023 05:27 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

Here we go... Time for the main event! Leon Edwards defends the welterweight title against Colby Covington.

Edwards won the belt with a stunning knockout of Kamaru Usman in 2022, before retaining the gold against his old foe in London in March. Now the Jamaican-born Briton makes his second title defence, as he faces the controversial Covington.

The American, 35, previously held the interim title, but he twice failed to dethrone Usman – losing to the “Nigerian Nightmare” via TKO in 2019 and on points in 2021. Covington bounced back each time, however, most recently dominating Jorge Masvidal for a decision victory.

That win over his friend-turned-rival came 21 months ago, however, and Edwards will look to exploit any potential ring rust that Covington has. Edwards, 32, will also look to punish Covington, after the American insulted the champion’s late father at this week’s press conference.

Leon Edwards (left) defends his title against Colby Covington (right) (Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

[17 December 2023 05:22 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 296 LIVE: Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval

Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Royval via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46).

And still!