Leon Edwards retained his UFC welterweight title by defeating Colby Covington via unanimous decision at UFC 296. The judges scored the bout 49-46 in favor of Edwards, highlighting his dominance throughout the fight.

Edwards, who has now won 12 consecutive fights, showcased his technical prowess and strategic approach against Covington, who was returning to the octagon after a lengthy absence. Covington, known for his aggressive style, struggled to find his rhythm against Edwards' calculated game plan.

In the co-main event, UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja successfully defended his title against Brandon Royval in a rematch. Pantoja secured a unanimous decision victory with the judges scoring the fight 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46 in his favor. This win solidifies Pantoja's position as one of the top fighters in the flyweight division.

The event also featured notable victories by Shavkat Rakhmonov, who defeated Stephen Thompson via second-round submission (rear-naked choke), and Paddy Pimblett, who secured a unanimous decision win over Tony Ferguson with all three judges scoring the fight 30-27 in his favor.

Other results from UFC 296 include Josh Emmett's first-round knockout victory over Bryce Mitchell, Alonzo Menifield's unanimous decision win against Dustin Jacoby, and Irene Aldana's victory over Karol Rosa via unanimous decision.

Cody Garbrandt impressed with a first-round knockout victory over Brian Kelleher, while Ariane Lipski secured a second-round submission win over Casey O'Neill with an armbar. Tagir Ulanbekov also secured a second-round submission victory over Cody Durden, and Andre Fili won via first-round TKO against Luca Almeida. Shamil Gaziev concluded the event with a second-round TKO victory over Martin Buday.

UFC 296 card and results

    Leon Edwards (c) def. Colby Covington via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

    Alexandre Pantoja (c) def. Brandon Royval via 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 via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

    Josh Emmett def. Bryce Mitchell via first-round knockout (punch)

    Alonzo Menifield def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

    Irene Aldana def. Karol Rosa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

    Cody Garbrandt def. Brian Kelleher via first-round knockout (punches)

    Ariane Lipski def. Casey O'Neill via second-round submission (armbar)

    Tagir Ulanbekov def. Cody Durden via second-round submission (rear-naked choke)

    Andre Fili def. Luca Almeida via first-round TKO (punches)

    Shamil Gaziev def. Martin Buday via second-round TKO (punches)

Boxing

Jesse Rodriguez Unifies IBF and WBO Flyweight Titles

Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez delivered a triumphant performance that brought him to tears of joy on the canvas. The undefeated San Antonio native showcased his brilliance by outclassing Sunny Edwards, a formidable defensive fighter, ultimately securing victory in the ninth round and unifying the IBF and WBO flyweight titles at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, this Saturday evening.

In a post-fight interview with DAZN’s Chris Mannix, Rodriguez, elated by his victory in the highly anticipated unification bout, exclaimed,

Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn's vision to fully unify the flyweight division faced a brief delay due to Rodriguez's challenging return to the weight class.

Jake Paul Makes a Statement: Knocks Out Andre August in 1st Round 

On a night packed with anticipation and scrutiny, Jake Paul stepped into the ring at the Caribe Royal Hotel in Orlando, Fla., seeking to silence doubters and make a resounding statement. Facing off against the seasoned professional boxer Andre August, Paul showcased a breathtaking display of skill, culminating in a spectacular first-round knockout at 2:32.

In a departure from his previous opponents, August boasted a commendable 10-1 professional record, positioning himself as a formidable challenge for Paul. However, it was Paul's refined movement, strategic body punches, and enhanced boxing repertoire that took center stage. The YouTuber-turned-pugilist exhibited remarkable improvement, commanding the bout from the onset. 

As the round progressed, Paul's precision was on full display. With calculated precision, he launched a thunderous uppercut, piercing August's defense and sending him crashing to the canvas, signaling the abrupt end of the bout.