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

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

12:43 , Alex Pattle

Watch what Edwards had to say after beating Covington, regarding the American’s comments about Edwards’s late father:

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

07:35 , Alex Pattle

Who’s next for Edwards? Shavkat Rakhmonov? Belal Muhammad?

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

07:10 , Alex Pattle

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

06:55 , Alex Pattle

A look back at the co-main event, which also saw a successful title defence!

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

06:45 , Alex Pattle

That’s three shots at the undisputed UFC welterweight title for Covington, and three losses.

Where does the ex-interim champion go from here?

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

06:40 , Alex Pattle

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

06:30 , Alex Pattle

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

06:23 , Alex Pattle

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

06:20 , Alex Pattle

Covington: “I had a long lay-off, I think that had a bit to do with [the poor performance].

“I want to shout out all the first responders and Donald Trump, he’s gonna make America great again. Trump 2024!

“I feel great, it was an easy fight. I barely have a scratch on me.”

He vows to come back in early 2024.

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

06:19 , Alex Pattle

Edwards: “This was an emotional fight for me. This guy used my dad’s death as entertainment, my dad’s murder as entertainment. I tried to just shut it down.

“After the pres conference, I went backstage, I was crying. To this day, it still breaks my heart. [Covington] said [my dad] should burn in hell.

“He’s a great competitor but a dirty human being.”

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

06:16 , Alex Pattle

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

06:14 , Alex Pattle

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

06:10 , Alex Pattle

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

06:07 , Alex Pattle

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

06:04 , Alex Pattle

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

06:01 , Alex Pattle

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

05:58 , Alex Pattle

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

05:55 , Alex Pattle

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

05:52 , Alex Pattle

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

05:49 , Alex Pattle

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.

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

05:46 , Alex Pattle

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.

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

05:43 , Alex Pattle

HERE, WE, GO! Main event under way!

Five rounds scheduled, 25 minutes if needed.

No touch of gloves, obviously.

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

05:41 , Alex Pattle

Bruce Buffer with the fighter introductions.

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

05:38 , Alex Pattle

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

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

05:37 , Alex Pattle

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.

UFC star Colby Covington wears jacket featuring Donald Trump’s mugshot

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

05:33 , Alex Pattle

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

Leon Edwards attacks Colby Covington after joke about murdered father

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

05:32 , Alex Pattle

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

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

05:28 , Alex Pattle

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

Edwards vs Covington is technique against tenacity at UFC 296

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

05:27 , Alex Pattle

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.

UFC 296 LIVE: Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval

05:22 , Alex Pattle

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

And still!

UFC 296 LIVE: Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval

05:17 , Alex Pattle

Round 5

Final round. Royval surely needs a finish. He lands a few decent punches in quick succession. Good right hook. And another. Pantoja looks tired and a little perturbed.

Left cross for Royval. Great uppercut. Pantoja clinches and drags Royval to the mat, but Royval separates with a right hand.

Stinging jabs by Royval from southpaw. He’s landing almost at will now. Pantoja falls into a takedown against the cage, but Royval is defending well.

Until Pantoja changes the angle brilliantly. He’s able to stifle Royval, and this should see him over the line.

UFC 296 LIVE: Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval

05:10 , Alex Pattle

Round 4

That was a closer round, but it could be 3-0 to Pantoja anyway. He lands a takedown very early in this fourth round.

He and Royval are grappling by the fence, in front of Donald Trump. Pantoja passes into half-guard with ease.

Royval scrambles, but Pantoja spins with him and takes his back with such efficiency! He’s got a body triangle and is working on a rear naked choke...

Pantoja nearly has it, but Royval is able to survive for now... and escape! Brilliant work from the challenger.

UFC 296 LIVE: Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval

05:05 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Royval has a lot of work to do. He tries a single-leg takedown, but to no avail. Then Pantoja times a double-leg and gets the American to the mat.

Royval does well to sweep the champion, and the pair soon stand. Pantoja is looking a little tired at the moment. He slows down for a while before trying another takedown. No luck.

Good one-two for Royval. A scrappy exchange ensues, with knees in close. Royval times one very well, and Pantoja resorts to another double-leg, which he secures.

UFC 296 LIVE: Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval

04:58 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Right hand and left knee by Royval, but Pantoja half-catches the knee and looks for a takedown.

No luck, and the flyweights get back to striking in the centre of the ring. That is, until Pantoja lands a neat trip.

Pantoja slides into half-guard, where he controls his challenger. Some boos from the restless fans in Las Vegas.

Referee Marc Goddard warns the fighters to work, and both land good punches. Eventually there’s a scramble, and the fight is standing again.

Pantoja with a crisp right hand. Royval tries a head kick but with no set-up, and Pantoja takes him down again.

UFC 296 LIVE: Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval

04:51 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Pantoja gets after Royval with a running overhand immediately. Now a body kick. He then tries a takedown against the fence. An electric pace from the champion early on.

Royval does well to stay composed. He’s standing southpaw and flicking out jabs. Again Royval prevents a takedown.

Brutal body kick by Pantoja; Royval winces. He tries a head kick, but Pantoja evades with ease then kicks low.

Nice knee in the clinch by Pantoja, who then drops down and lands a great takedown. He’s straight into half-guard.

Decent upkick by Royval, who then tries for a triangle choke as Pantoja looks to enter his guard. Royval with a scramble, but he ends up mounted!

Another scramble, and Royval is able to stand late in the round.

UFC 296 LIVE: Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval

04:49 , Alex Pattle

Here we go! Co-main event under way.

UFC 296 LIVE: Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval

04:40 , Alex Pattle

Middleweight champion Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, who challenges the American for the title in January, reportedly came to blows at ringside moments ago.

Du Plessis had some harsh words for Strickland at a press conference this week, with some feeling that the South African crossed a line by mentioning the champion’s difficult upbringing.

Update: No ‘reportedly’ about it. There is footage of Strickland jumping at Du Plessis and raining down elbows...

UFC 296 LIVE: Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval

04:36 , Alex Pattle

Next up, the co-main event. Alexandre Pantoja makes his first defence of the flyweight title, in a rematch with Brandon Royval.

Pantoja won the belt with a decision victory in a war with Brandon Moreno in July, and the Brazilian previously submitted Royval in 2021.

Since then, however, American Royval has won three fights in a row.

UFC 296 LIVE: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen 'Wonderboy’ Thompson

04:31 , Alex Pattle

Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson via second-round submission (rear naked choke, 4:56).

UFC 296 LIVE: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen 'Wonderboy’ Thompson

04:26 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Well-timed, short right hook by Thompson, then a side kick to the body.

Rakhmonov shoots for a takedown, and Thompson slithers away but eats a knee to the body as the Kazakh gets him against the fence. More solid takedown defence from “Wonderboy”. His balance is so impressive.

Eventually, though, Rakhmonov finishes a single-leg takedown.

Rakhmonov is controlling Thompson, pinning his hand behind his back and landing punches to the head and body.

Rakhmonov eventually flattens out the American and locks in a rear naked choke! It looks like it’s over, but SOMEHOW Thompson guts it out!

Rakhmonov lets go but is in side control, landing elbows. He’s looking for a D’Arce... but opts to take the back instead, as Thompson gives it up...

Rakhmonov locks in a rear naked choke... and Thompson taps with seconds left in the round!!

UFC 296 LIVE: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen 'Wonderboy’ Thompson

04:17 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Here we go! Both men stand orthodox. Thompson kicks low from that typical karate stance.

Now Thompson goes southpaw as Rakhmonov closes range and grapples him against the fence.

Rakhmonov is working on a trip, but Thompson is defending stubbornly so far.

Rakhmonov eventually grabs a single-leg and lands a couple of hard punches, but Thompson is still standing.

Rakhmonov lets go and gets back to holding the American. Boos now from the crowd.

Finally Thompson gets free and lands a nice body kick. And another. Decent cross, but Rakhmonov times a jab well in response.

UFC 296 LIVE: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen 'Wonderboy’ Thompson

04:13 , Alex Pattle

Rakhmonov last fought in March, submitting Geoff Neal in a bout in which the Kazakh fighter also showed off his striking ability.

However, the 29-year-old did absorb a lot of clean shots that night, which will give hope to Thompson.

“Wonderboy”, 40, always walks out to a Tenacious D song of the same name, and the band is walking him to the ring as we speak.

The American last fought 12 months ago, beating Kevin Holland via TKO.

UFC 296 LIVE: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen 'Wonderboy’ Thompson

04:04 , Alex Pattle

Next up, a welterweight thriller?

Former title challenger and karate specialist Stephen Thompson faces Shavkat Rakhmonov, who is 17-0 with 17 finishes.

UFC 296 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson

04:02 , Alex Pattle

Paddy Pimblett def. Tony Ferguson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

There it is. Pimblett goes 5-0 in the UFC; Ferguson has now lost seven in a row.

Pimblett: “Everyone give a round of applause, let’s hear it for Tony f***ing Ferguson. It’s an honour to share a cage with him. How did he survive that first round?”

UFC 296 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson

03:56 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Big right hand for Pimblett. Hard leg kick by the Liverpudlian, too. Ferguson fires back with a body kick.

Pimblett tries for a takedown, and Ferguson counters with a D’Arce choke attempt! He lets go, however.

Pimblett suddenly looks exhausted. Ferguson is coming forward. Decent uppercut by the American.

But Pimblett with a lift and takedown! Is he getting a second wind? Ferguson with elbows from the bottom.

There looks to be an opening for a Kimura, but Ferguson doesn’t attack it at all. Pimblett is happy to stay in Ferguson’s guard and rain down punches. Ferguson is trying for a guillotine, but it’s not there for him.

We’ll go to the scorecards, where Pimblett will win a convincing decision.

UFC 296 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson

03:52 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Ferguson presses forward but eats a one-two. Ferguson misses with a head kick and falls to the mat, and Pimblett dives into his guard.

Some nice elbows from Ferguson from below, but Pimblett comes back with some punches. It looks like Pimblett might be bleeding from one of those elbows...

Ferguson is holding Pimblett in place above him for now.

Pimblett is able to pass the guard, however, and he’s thinking of an arm-triangle choke... Ferguson keeps him at bay a while longer.

Ferguson needs a big final round...

UFC 296 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson

03:46 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Pimblett with a head kick from southpaw. Ferguson evades it, then floors Pimblett with a low kick.

Now Ferguson blocks a body kick and scoots back to deny Pimblett a takedown attempt. The Liverpudlian then kicks low.

And again, with Ferguson narrowly missing as he tries to counter with an overhand right. Strong body kick from Pimblett, who then kicks low.

Nice left hook by Ferguson upstairs, then he lands two crosses to the body. Well-timed jab by Ferguson up top.

Another harsh low kick by Pimblett, then both fighters are tagged with punches as they hang their chins out! A bad habit that both guys have.

Both guys are landing clean shots now! It feels like either fighter could go down at any time. “Tony” and “USA” are the chants in the T-Mobile Arena.

OH! Pimblett with three clean punches to the head then a brutal flying knee! Ferguson goes down, and Pimblett tries to take the back!!

Pimblett with clean ground and pound, and Ferguson again gives up the back, but he makes it to the buzzer! What a round!

UFC 296 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson

03:37 , Alex Pattle

Pimblett, 29 in two weeks, last fought 12 months ago, winning a very controversial decision over Jared Gordon.

Regardless, the Briton is 4-0 in the UFC as he prepares for his toughest test yet.

Ferguson, though, is admittedly out of form. The 39-year-old has not won since 2019.

Here we go!!

UFC 296 LIVE: Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson

03:34 , Alex Pattle

This should be fun; it could certainly be messy.

Former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson looks to snap a six-fight losing streak, as he faces rising Liverpudlian star Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett.

UFC 296 LIVE: Josh Emmett vs Bryce Mitchell

03:24 , Alex Pattle

Mitchell walked onto a right overhand and just hit the canvas at once. He’s twitching on the canvas, this is scary stuff.

Eventually, Mitchell is able to stand, but he’s still on unsteady legs.

He should be sitting, but he walks out of the Octagon. At least he’s cognisant.

Josh Emmett def. Bryce Mitchell via first-round KO (punch, 1:57).

UFC 296 LIVE: Josh Emmett vs Bryce Mitchell

03:23 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Mitchell is immediately backing up Emmett, who is able to take the centre before long.

Mitchell looks wary as Emmett pistons a cross towards “Thug Nasty”’s body.

Mitchell briefly switches to southpaw, but both featherweights are largely standing orthodox.

OH!!!!!! EMMETT KNOCKS MITCHELL OUT STIFF WITH A RIGHT HAND!

UFC 296 LIVE: Josh Emmett vs Bryce Mitchell

03:19 , Alex Pattle

It’s No 6 (Emmett) vs No 10 (Mitchell), in an all-American affair.

Emmett is mainly known for his knockout power but does have decent wrestling pedigree, while Mitchell is known for his submissions.

Emmett was originally due to fight Giga Chikadze, who was forced to withdraw due to injury.

UFC 296 LIVE: Josh Emmett vs Bryce Mitchell

03:11 , Alex Pattle

We kick off the main card with a featherweight banger, Josh Emmett vs Bryce Mitchell, moved up from the prelims after the cancellation of Ian Machado Garry vs Vicente Luqe.

Ian Machado Garry out of UFC 296 fight with Vicente Luque after contracting pneumonia

UFC 296 LIVE: Donald Trump arrives to support Colby Covington

03:02 , Alex Pattle

Look who’s in the building – to the sound of cheers.

Donald Trump attends UFC 296 to support controversial Colby Covington

UFC 296 LIVE: Alonzo Menifield vs Dustin Jacoby

03:00 , Alex Pattle

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

A fair result with that knockdown, I’d argue.

UFC 296 LIVE: Alonzo Menifield vs Dustin Jacoby

02:59 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Clean right cross by Jacoby. He’s stance-switching a lot right now. Another great right straight. Now a one-two.

Menifield lands a good jab, but his face is sporting a lot of damage right now. Great jab work by Jacoby.

OH! But out of nowhere, Menifield drops Jacoby with a left hook! Menifield is swarming him!

Jacoby is back on his feet, but not for long... Menifield takes him down and has the back! Wild!

He can’t get his hooks in, though, and Jacoby shakes him off before grappling Menifield against the fence.

That knockdown might have swung this round completely – and sealed the win?

We go to the scorecards!

UFC 296 LIVE: Alonzo Menifield vs Dustin Jacoby

02:52 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

OH! Hard left hook by Menifield early in the round! He sends Jacoby tumbling to the mat but is unable to land a clean follow-up shot, as Jacoby scoots back to his feet.

Both men kick at the same time, and Jacoby hits the mat again, but he’s soon back up.

Another great shot by Menifield! He staggers Jacoby with a right cross!

Still Jacoby comes forward, landing decent jabs now. Menifield kicks low a couple of times, and Jacoby goes southpaw briefly.

It could be 19-19 after two rounds.

UFC 296 LIVE: Alonzo Menifield vs Dustin Jacoby

02:45 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Both men stand orthodox. Jacoby misses with a left hook as Menifield closes range. Now Jacoby gets behind the jab.

He backs up Menifield, who misses with his own wild hook as he tries to get off the cage wall. Menifield shoots for a takedown from range, but to no avail.

Lots of feints from Jacoby, who almost lands a right hand but does find a couple of body kicks.

Jacoby closes range and grapples Menifield against the fence. The crowd starts to get restless, but Jacoby is working; he’s landing knees to the legs of Menifield and punches to the body.

Menifield reverses the position late in the round.

UFC 296 LIVE: Aljamain Sterling refused entry to event

02:38 , Alex Pattle

Former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling on X...

UFC 296 LIVE: Alonzo Menifield vs Dustin Jacoby

02:28 , Alex Pattle

One more prelim bout to go: Alonzo Menifield vs Dustin Jacoby at light-heavyweight.

UFC 296 LIVE: Irene Aldana vs Karol Rosa

02:26 , Alex Pattle

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

That one really could have gone either way. Rosa did a lot of damage to Aldana’s lead leg, but Aldana managed to keep coming forward, and she hurt Rosa badly to the head time and again.

What a battle that was. Potentially the women’s fight of the year.

UFC 296 LIVE: Irene Aldana vs Karol Rosa

02:23 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Rosa shoots for a single-leg takedown, but there’s nothing doing. Stern jab by Aldana.

Rosa staggers Aldana with another heavy low kick then lands a nice right overhand.

Lovely left hook to the body by Aldana, and Rosa is retreating! Now Aldana targets the head of Rosa, and the cut around Rosa’s left eye is leaking blood!

Hard left hook by Rosa, but Aldana attacks the body to good effect again; her coaches are calling for more body shots!

Beautiful left hook to the body by Aldana then an uppercut to the head.

Rosa’s face is a bloody mess now. She’s eating shots... but she roars back! What a final round!

UFC 296 LIVE: Irene Aldana vs Karol Rosa

02:17 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Sharp jab by Rosa, who then resumes her assault on the lead leg of Aldana. She’s landed 25 low kicks – and counting.

Aldana cracks Rosa with a nice one-two, though. Beautiful right cross by Aldana, and Rosa doesn’t like that one bit!

Rosa fires back, however her left eye is starting to sport some damage here.

OH! A clean right cross lands for Aldana late in the round! That one really cracked Rosa’s jaw.

UFC 296 LIVE: Irene Aldana vs Karol Rosa

02:11 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Both women stand orthodox. Rosa with an overhand right and low kick on the opposite side. Now Aldana kicks low.

Aldana pops Rosa with a jab. Rosa comes back with a right cross and another inside low kick. And she repeats the combination two more times.

Now an outside low kick on the right, and Aldana stumbles! That lead leg is taking a battering. Then Rosa times a one-two perfectly.

Aldana catches Rosa on the end of a left hook upstairs. More leg kicks by Rosa, and Aldana’s lead leg buckles again and again. Her stance is so wide.

A couple of nice straight punches land for Aldana late in the round, though.

UFC 296 LIVE: Prelim updates

02:03 , Alex Pattle

Okay, here are the result so far tonight:

Cody Garbrandt def. Brian Kelleher via first-round KO (3:42)

Ariane Lipski def. Casey O’Neill via second-round submission (armbar, 1:18)

Tagir Ulanbekov def. Cody Durden via second-round submission (rear naked choke, 4:25)

Andre Fili def. Lucas Almeida via first-round TKO (3:32)

Shamil Gaziev def. Martin Buday via second-round TKO (0:56)

We begin our live coverage with a women’s bantamweight bout between Irene Aldana and Karol Rosa!

UFC 296 LIVE: Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand chokes Leon Edwards

01:51 , Alex Pattle

Right, just before our fight updates begin in a few minutes (don’t go anywhere!), here’s a fun bit of content...

Manchester United legend and ex-England defender Rio Ferdinand visited Edwards at his gym in Birmingham recently.

Here’s what happened...

UFC 296 LIVE: Edwards vs Covington fight preview and analysis

01:35 , Alex Pattle

More thoughts on tonight’s main event:

Arguably, the likeliest route to victory for Edwards is a TKO as Covington lurches forward. Meanwhile, the worst-case scenario could be a fight in which he is overwhelmed and simply cannot get going or set his feet.

The champion must also be disciplined; his recent fights have featured a point deduction in March, an accidental eye poke that led to a No Contest against Belal Muhammad in 2021, and a late scare in his win over Nate Diaz that year, when Edwards dominated but was rocked in the final minute.

All in all, composure will be key to Edwards cracking Covington’s code.

Full preview:

Edwards vs Covington is technique against tenacity at UFC 296

UFC 296 LIVE: Regular prelims under way

01:20 , Alex Pattle

The regular prelims are now under way. Just a reminder that our round-by-round updates will begin in a couple of fights’ time. At that time, we’ll also provide a round-up of all tonight’s results so far.

UFC 296 LIVE: Edwards vs Covington is technique against tenacity

01:05 , Alex Pattle

Edwards has always had a calm aura about him, but he is tenacious; to highlight that Covington has that same quality in abundance is not to suggest that Edwards doesn’t. Similarly, to praise the beauty and efficiency of Edwards’s eclectic techniques is not to suggest that Covington is entirely raw or reckless. However, he is often wild.

The likelihood in tonight’s main event is that Covington, a cardio machine, will bear down on Edwards for as many of the 25 scheduled minutes as possible, forcing “Rocky” onto the back foot and to compromise on technique. The task for Edwards, then, will be to maintain that technique and to pick holes in the American’s frantic and sometimes faulty striking.

More thoughts on how Edwards vs Covington might play out – and why – here:

Edwards vs Covington is technique against tenacity at UFC 296

UFC 296 LIVE: Colby Covington wears jacket featuring Donald Trump’s mugshot

00:50 , Alex Pattle

Covington carried out his media-day duties for UFC 296 while sporting a jacket featuring Donald Trump’s mugshot.

Ex-US president Trump, who has expressed his intention to be present in Las Vegas tonight, is known to be friends with the controversial Covington.

Trump has attended numerous UFC events in recent years – and as recently as UFC 295 in November – and Covington paid tribute to the 77-year-old on Wednesday by turning up to a media day with a jacket featuring Trump’s mugshot.

More here:

UFC star Colby Covington wears jacket featuring Donald Trump’s mugshot

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards reacts as Colby Covington insults his late father

00:35 , Alex Pattle

Let’s turn our attention to the main event.

Tensions between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington rose on Thursday, when the controversial American insulted Edwards’s late father at the pre-fight press conference.

Here’s what Covington said and how Edwards reacted:

Leon Edwards attacks Colby Covington after joke about murdered father

UFC 296 LIVE: Ian Machado Garry vs Vicente Luque cancelled

00:21 , Alex Pattle

One great fight that is missing from the card? Ian Machado Garry vs Vicente Luque.

That highly-anticipated bout was called off this week after Machado Garry contracted pneumonia.

More on that here:

Ian Machado Garry out of UFC 296 fight with Vicente Luque after contracting pneumonia

UFC 296 LIVE: Fight card in full (subject to late changes)

00:10 , Alex Pattle

Main card

Leon Edwards (C) vs Colby Covington (welterweight title)

Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs Brandon Royval 2 (flyweight title)

Shavkat Rahkmonov vs Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (welterweight)

Tony Ferguson vs Paddy Pimblett (lightweight)

Josh Emmett vs Bryce Mitchell (featherweight)

Prelims

Alonzo Menifield vs Dustin Jacoby (light-heavyweight)

Irene Aldana vs Karol Rosa (women’s bantamweight)

Cody Garbrandt vs Brian Kelleher (bantamweight)

Casey O’Neill vs Ariane Lipski (women’s flyweight)

Early prelims

Tagir Ulanbekov vs Cody Durden (flyweight)

Andre Fili vs Lucas Almeida (featherweight)

Martin Buday vs Shamil Gaziev (heavyweight)

UFC 296 card in full with Leon Edwards and Paddy Pimblett in action

UFC 296 LIVE: How to watch Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

Saturday 16 December 2023 23:58 , Alex Pattle

In the UK, the prelims will air live on TNT Sports 1 for subscribers, who can also watch those early fights on discovery+. The main card will then air live on TNT Sports Box Office, costing £19.99 and available to subscribers and non-subscribers. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider.

How to watch UFC 296 online and on TV tonight

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington start time

Saturday 16 December 2023 23:44 , Alex Pattle

The early prelims just got under way at 11.30pm GMT (4.30pm PT, 6.30pm CT, 7.30pm ET), with the regular prelims set to follow at 1am GMT on Sunday (6pm PT, 8pm CT, 9pm ET on Saturday).

The main card is then due at 3am GMT on Sunday (8pm PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET on Saturday).

We’ll begin our round-by-round fight updates later in the prelims. Until then, we’ve got all the important UFC information, analysis and news that you need.

Stick around!

What time does UFC 296 start tonight?

UFC 296 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

Saturday 16 December 2023 23:30 , Alex Pattle

Leon Edwards will defend the welterweight title against Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 296 tonight.

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.

In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight belt in a rematch with Brandon Royval, while other highlight bouts include Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson and Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.