UFC 296 Results, Edwards & Pantoja Retain
The T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas, Nevada is host to the final UFC pay per view event on the 2023 calendar. UFC 296 is a championship doubleheader featuring Welterweight & Flyweight title fights.
In the main event outspoken title challenger Colby “Chaos” Covington looks to dethrone the stoic champion Leon “Rocky” Edwards. The co-main event is a rematch more than two years in the making as Alexandre Pantoja looks for a second win over surging Colorado finisher, Brandon “Raw Dawg” Royval
Recap:
Colby Covington did his job all week long hyping up the fight. Once they were in the cage Leon Edwards took over. Edwards controlled the distance, piled up on leg kicks, and geared down Covington’s normally high pace offense with power punches. Edwards also made interesting choices to accepting and even attacking grappling exchanges, like he was trying to prove a point. The point was made for four rounds but going to the well once too often, Edwards found himself giving away the final round from on his back. Not the less Edwards has made his point and dispatched of another worthy challenger. Alexandre Pantoja racked up his first successful defense of the UFC Flyweight title defeating Brandon Royval for the second time. Much like the first matchup Pantoja’s Jiu Jitsu was the difference maker getting Royval down and controlling for much of the 25-minute contest. In the highest profile fight of his career Shavkat Rakhmonov continued his brutally efficient ways. First draining Thompson’s gas tank against the cage then getting the fight down and finding a rear naked choke for his 18th finish in 18 wins. A clean sweep of the scorecards saw Paddy Pimblett beat Tony Ferguson by unanimous decision. A finish almost materialized in the first round as Pimbeltt’s right hands were landing, he was also in mount, and had the back. Pimblett controlled the final ten minutes with his grappling collecting top time while in Ferguson’s guard. Josh Emmett ended a two0fight skid with one of the most devastating one punch knockouts I’ve ever seen. Emmett took his time closed the distance and caught Bryce Mitchell square with right hand that had Mithell out cold in a scary scene. Mitchell did get up and was helped to walk out of the octagon. On the strength of three monster left hooks scoring knock downs, Alonzo Menifield won a decision over Dustin Jacoby. In an absolute war and one of the wildest fights in UFC Women’s Bantamweight history Irene Aldana beat Karol Rosa by unanimous decision. Aldan battled through over 70 leg kicks, leaning on her Boxing and long combinations mounting a major comeback over the final two round for a decision win. Former Bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt had a turn back the clock kind of performance. Sniping Brian Kelleher with hooks every time he closed the distance. A short right hand sent Kelleher face plant as Garbrandt walked off knowing the job was done. It’s now two wins in a row for Garbrandt who called for a meeting with former Flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Ariane Lipski had a dazzling performance submitting Casey O’Neil in the second. The Brazilian’s counter striking was on point from the get-go, lighting up O’Neil as she walked into range. Forcing the Australian into shooting for a takedown. Lipski reversed the position took the back and secured an armbar for her fourth submission win. “Tagir Ulanbekov showed a full skill set sitting Cody Durden down with a pair of right hands before jumping on the back in the securing his 9th submission win in the final minute. A slow pace, feel out first round was quickly accelerated when Andre Fili put a perfect right hand on Lucas Almeida. Fili followed to the mat collecting the 10th knockout win of his career. The card started off with the debuting Shamil Gaziev walking down Martin Buday. From the first punch landed Buday was moving back covering up. Gaziev caused a cut to Buday’s left eye that the doctor twice checked. Nearly offering up zero offense Gaziev kept the pressure boxing Buday into a corner before Mark Smith jumped in for a standing TKO.
UFC 296 Main Card
Welterweight Title: Still Champ Leon Edwards (22-3) def. Colby Covington (17-3) by (49-46 x3) Unanimous Decision
Flyweight Title: Still Champ Alexandre Pantoja (27-5) def. Brandon Royval (15-7) by (49-46, 50-45 x2) Unanimous Decision
Welterweight: Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0) def. Stephen Thompson (17-7-1) by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 4:56 R2
Lightweight: Paddy Pimblett (21-3) def. Tony Ferguson (25-10) by (30-27 x3) Unanimous Decision
Featherweight: Josh Emmett (19-4) def. Bryce Mitchell (16-2) by KO (Right Hand) 1:57 R1
Prelims
Light-Heavyweight: Alonzo Menifield (15-3-1) def. Dustin Jacoby (19-8-1) by (29-28 x3) Unanimous Decision
Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (15-7) def. Karol Rosa (17-6) by (29-28 x3) Unanimous Decision
Bantamweight: Cody Garbrandt (14-5-1) def. Brian Kelleher (24-15) by KO (Right Hook) 3:42 R1
Flyweight: Ariane Lipski (17-8) def. Casey O’Neill (9-2) by Submission (Armbar) 1:18 R2
Early Prelims
Flyweight: Tagir Ulanbekov (15-2) def. Cody Durden (16-5-1) by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 4:25 R2
Featherweight: Andre Fili (23-10) def. Lucas Almedia (14-3) by TKO (Right Hand & Ground Strikes) 3:32 R1
Heavyweight: Shamil Gaziev (12-0) def. Martin Buday (13-2) by TKO (Punches) 0:56 R2
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