Former interim welterweight champ Colby Covington got his third shot at undisputed gold on Saturday, taking on champ Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 296.
The final fight of the final UFC card of 2023 promised to be big. It also promised to be personal, after Covington dragged Edwards’ murdered father into the promotion for the fight.
Despite Covington’s heel personality, he received a hero’s welcome, walking out to Kurt Angle‘s old WWF theme song, now a tradition when “Chaos” fights — “you suck” chants and all. Edwards for his part got a mixed reaction, some boos, some cheers, but certainly muted in comparison to the challenger.
With the action underway, Covington showed a few stance switches, while champ Edwards fired a front kick. Covington returned fire with a high kick of his own; neither connected. Another front kick hit air for Edwards. By the midway point of round one, little had connected, but that soon changed. The traded blows, with Edwards connecting with a right hand, the best strike of the bout so far.
With about 90 seconds on the clock, Covington reached down for a leg, but that takedown attempt was easily stuffed. Leon Edwards, meanwhile, answered back with a left hand that connected up top.
After a slow start in round one, the pace picked up just slightly in the second. Edwards connected with a hook early, catching Covington on the way in. Colby did connect with a low kick, but wasn’t putting on his usual pace, nor was he falling back on his wrestling. Instead, he was soon showing damage on his right leg, while simply engaging in a low-action kickboxing fight with the champ.
Edwards landed low to Covington’s right leg again, and if those continued to pile up, mobility could become an concern for the challenger. Through the first two rounds, Covington had minimal offense, and while Edwards wasn’t pouring on the volume either, his accuracy was serving him well.
Edwards flowed in and out of orthodox and southpaw stances to open round three. He continued to target Colby Covington’s legs, then landed a kick to the body. Finally, Covington drove in on a takedown, staying on the champ, pulling his legs out, and completing the attempt. Edwards, who had tried to reverse, paid for it, but quickly scrambled up and fired a head kick that connected. As if to show up the challenger, Edwards then fired a takedown of his own, completing it — shades of his fight with Kamaru Usman.
Colby scrambled up, and they returned to trading single strikes and kicks. Edwards was showing solid movement and speed, and more often than not wasn’t there for Covington to hit. Covington fell short on a jump knee late in the round, and they headed to the fourth.
If someone had given Covington the third, it would be considered generous. And if they were not so generous, the challenger was likely being shut out after three rounds. Early in round four, “Chaos” dove in on a takedown, but Edwards went after a choke in response, which Covington spun out of. Another takedown attempt by Covington arrived near the midway mark, but Edwards fought that off, showing excellent balance. Later in the round Colby landed a jab, closed the distance, and went after the takedown once more. but when they went down, Edwards threatened to take the back in a scramble. Colby came out on top, but couldn’t hold the position, ate a knee to the body, and nearly had Edwards take his own back. Instead they scrambled up, just seconds remaining before they would head to the final frame.
Colby Covington landed an early takedown in round five, but the champ was quickly up to one knee. Covington, throughout the fight, had found it difficult to control Edwards when he did get him down. In the next scramble, it was Edwards taking the back, getting one hook in. Covington threatened to slip out the bottom, which allowed Edwards to go after a triangle, then arm-bar. Colby slipped free, and got on top with just under half a round left in the fight. In half guard, Covington had lots of time to work, and this time, Leon Edwards seemed unable to get off his back.
A late burst of hammer fists from Covington wasn’t enough for a finish, and while both men raised their arms at the final horn, Leon Edwards appeared to be the clear winner. And was, much to the chagrin of Colby Covington. It came as no surprise, however, given the “cardio king” was nowhere to be found on Saturday.
In his post-fight interview, Edwards opened up about his emotional response to Covington dragging his murdered father into promotion for the fight. Covington, meanwhile, suggested ring rust played a factor in his loss, while shouting out ex-President Donald Trump, who was cageside for the bout.
Official Result: Leon Edwards def. Colby Covington by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
