Welcome to the latest UFC results, as UFC 296 took place Saturday night. The event went down from Las Vegas and the T-Mobile Arena, with the main card airing live on ESPN+ pay-per-view. Prelims were broadcast on ESPN2, ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.
UFC Results: Leon Edwards, Alexandre Pantoja Retain
Despite plenty of pre-fight fireworks, the main event between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington was a one-sided affair.
Edwards dominated Covington, nearly finishing him early in the fight on his way to a decision win while retaining his welterweight title.
The 32-year-old from Jamaica moved his record to 22-3 overall and extended his unbeaten streak to 13 fights dating back to 2015. Covington failed to win UFC gold for the third time, dropping to 17-4.
Making his first title defense, Alexandre Pantoja held off challenger Brandon Royval, earning a decision to retain his flyweight title.
Pantoja won the belt via split decision over Brandon Moreno earlier this year, with this victory marking his fifth straight. Included in that run was a 2021 submission in over Royval that earned him a “Performance of the Night” bonus.
UFC Results: Shavkat Rakhmonov Finishes Stephen Thompson
A heavy favorite, Shavkat Rakhmonov showed why, dominating Stephen Thompson. Rakhmonov served notice once more in the welterweight division, locking in a rear-naked choke in the second round.
The 29-year-old pushed his record to 17-0 overall with the last six wins coming in the UFC. All of his victories to date have been finishes.
Paddy Pimblett dominated Tony Ferguson, securing a decision victory in a lightweight affair. The loss was the seventh straight for Ferguson, a former interim champion.
In the main card opener, Josh Emmett stunned Bryce Mitchell, landing less than two minutes into their featherweight battle. Mitchell stepped in on short notice as a replacement for Giga Chikadze.
UFC Results: Cody Garbrandt Shows His Power Again
On the prelims, former champion Cody Garbrandt made sure to remind folks that he is still relevant, dropping Brian Kelleher in the opening round.
Garbrandt, who won the bantamweight belt back in 2016 with a victory over Dominick Cruz, scored his second consecutive win.
Irene Aldana and Ariane Lipski picked up key wins, as Aldana bested Karol Rosa and Lipski earned a submission win over Casey O’Neill.
In the prelim headliner, Alonzo Menifield upset Dustin Jacoby in a lightweight scrap, posting a decision.
UFC Results: All Finishes On Early Prelims
All three early prelims ended before the start of the third round.
Tagir Ulanbekov submitted Cody Durden with a face crank, Andre Fili stopped Lucas Almeida and Shamil Gaziev dropped Martin Buday.
Up Next
This marked the final event of 2023 for the UFC, as they are off until January 13. That event features Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker in a rematch.
Set from the Apex, the card will air live on ESPN+. The two fought to a no-contest at UFC 294 after an illegal knee by Ankalaev.
Also scheduled are Jim Miller, Andrei Arlovski, Matheus Nicolau and Yana Santos.
UFC Results
UFC 296, Las Vegas, T-Mobile Arena
Leon Edwards def. Colby Covington via unanimous decision to remain welterweight champion
Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Royval via unanimous decision to remain flyweight champion
Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Stephen Thompson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:56 of Round 2
Paddy Pimblett def. Tony Ferguson via unanimous decision
Josh Emmett def. Bryce Mitchell via KO (strike) at 1:57 of Round 1
Alonzo Menifield def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision
Irene Aldana def. Karol Rosa via unanimous decision
Cody Garbrandt def. Brian Kelleher via KO (strike) at 3:42 of Round 1
Ariane Lipski def. Casey O’Neill via submission (armbar) at 1:18 of Round 2
Tagir Ulanbekov def. Cody Durden via submission (face crank) at 4:25 of Round 2
Andre Fili def. Lucas Almeida via TKO (strikes) at 3:32 of Round 1
Shamil Gaziev def. Martin Buday via TKO (strikes) at :56 of Round 2
