UFC 296 concluded with epic moments, including Leon Edwards defending his welterweight title against Colby Covington and a surprising brawl involving middleweight champion Sean Strickland and challenger Dricus du Plessis.
UFC 296: Leon Edwards defends welterweight title once again
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Edwards successfully defended his welterweight title for the second time, outclassing Covington in a unanimous decision victory. Edwards showcased his prowess in the first two rounds, maintaining control without much wrestling.
Even when Covington managed to take him down in the third, Edwards quickly returned the favour. The final round saw Edwards excel with greater attacks on the ground, minimising Covington’s effectiveness.
The judges unanimously ruled in Edwards’ favour, affirming his title retention.
Shavkat Rakhmonov impresses with Thompson submission
A standout performance at UFC 296 came from Shavkat Rakhmonov, who defeated Stephen Thompson by submission in the second round with a rear-naked choke.
Rakhmonov, known for his finishing ability, remained undefeated, securing his sixth UFC win and 18th career victory with finishes in all fights. His dominant display over Thompson solidified his status as a surging contender in the welterweight division.
Rakhmonov’s career has been impressive, starting with his professional debut in 2014.
He became the M-1 Global Welterweight Champion in 2017 and defended the title twice before signing with the UFC in 2019.
His UFC debut in 2020 against Alex Oliveira ended in a submission victory, beginning his unbroken streak of finishes in the promotion. Rakhmonov’s rise in the welterweight ranks is marked by his versatile skill set and ability to finish fights, making him a fighter to watch in the division.
Dricus and Strickland steal the show with brawl at UFC 296
The event also saw unexpected action outside the octagon. A brawl broke out between middleweight champion Sean Strickland and challenger Dricus du Plessis.
The tension between them escalated after du Plessis made a controversial comment about Strickland’s father during a promotional press conference.
The altercation at UFC 296 involved the fighters exchanging blows, leading to them being separated by security. This incident added drama to an already intense rivalry, setting the stage for a potential future showdown in the octagon.