The UFC wrapped up the year with a wild PPV finals event in 2023. UFC 296 is in the spotlight as both of the night’s champions are still reigning in their respective divisions. Leon Edwards stopped Colby Covington’s third chance at welterweight gold with a decision win, and Alexandre Pantoja did the same against Brandon Roybal in a rematch for the flyweight title.
Covington was not a typical wrestling or grappling style and seemed content to stay within range, but Edwards kept Covington within range for the majority of the five round bout. He looked for a takedown at one point, but Edwards closed him in and reversed the fight, putting up a complete fight to retain the title.
Pantoja, on the other hand, was a cardio machine against Roybal, overwhelming his opponent and suffocating him with pressure. Both Roybals were exhausted in the final round, but Pantoja still came out on top and took the title.
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Elsewhere on the card, Shavkat Rakhmonov put his right to the title on the line with a submission victory over Stephen Thompson. Rakhmonov continues to maintain a perfect finishing percentage in 18 professional fights. Additionally, Paddy Pimblett poured it on Tony Ferguson early on and never backed down as Ferguson bounced back from injury to win during a seven-game losing streak. And Josh Emmett scored one of the most devastating knockouts in recent memory against Bryce Mitchell in the PPV opener.
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UFC 296 fight card, results
- Leon Edwards (c) def. Colby Covington (unanimous decision) (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
- Alexandre Pantoja (c) def. Brandon Roybal Unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
- Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Stephen Thompson via second round submission (rear naked choke)
- Paddy Pimblett def. Tony Ferguson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Josh Emmett def. Bryce Mitchell by 1st round knockout (punch)
- Alonzo Menifield def. Dustin Jacoby (unanimous decision) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Irene Aldana def. Karol Rosa unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Cody Garbrandt def. Brian Kelleher wins by 1st round knockout (punches)
- Ariane Lipsky def. Casey O’Neal wins by second round submission (armbar)
- Tagir Ulambekov def. Cody Durden wins by second round submission (rear naked choke)
- Andre Fili def. Luca Almeida won by 1st round TKO (punch)
- Shamil Gadzhiyev def. Martin Budei 2nd round TKO (punches) victory