UFC 296 Edwards v Covington: Paddy Pimblett dominates Tony Ferguson in unanimous decision victory in Las Vegas
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Updated 17/12/2023 at 08:50 GMT
Paddy Pimblett bounced back from a year out of the cage with a statement win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296. Pimblett had been absent since last December after suffering an ankle injury in his last fight, but turned in arguably the best performance of his career to dominate the former interim lightweight champion. The loss is Ferguson's seventh in a row and will raise questions over his future.
Paddy Pimblett of England reacts to his win over Tony Ferguson in a lightweight fight during the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images
Paddy Pimblett returned to the Octagon in style with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 in Las Vegas.
‘The Baddy’ threatened to finish Ferguson in the first two rounds before tiring and taking the fight to the ground in the third, eventually earning a 30-27 win on the judges’ scorecards.
The loss was the seventh in a row for Ferguson, who was dominated on the feet and the ground, but showed all his toughness to survive an early onslaught and make it to the final bell.
Pimblett, who was coming off a contentious victory over Jared Gordon, was understandably delighted to add the name of a UFC legend to his resume in such emphatic fashion.
“You can’t deny me there, I won every round quite easily,” Pimblett said immediately afterwards.
“I’m still a bit disappointed I didn’t get the finish but he’s one of the toughest to ever step in the cage, so the fact that I’ve won every round I’m pleased with myself.”
Pimblett hadn’t fought in over a year after sustaining an ankle injury that required surgery in his win over Gordon last December.
He teased a 10-second knockout in the build-up to his showdown with the former interim lightweight champion and came out the blocks firing.
Pimblett landed a series of stiff right hands that wobbled and dropped Ferguson, who somehow survived.
But 'El Cucuy' had little response to Pimblett, who went straight back on the attack before assuming top position on the mat for the majority of another dominant round.
Pimblett wore his efforts in the third and looked weary, but Ferguson could do little to take advantage.
Ferguson crumbled to the floor once again as the Liverpudlian smartly saw out the statement win that will surely earn him a ranked opponent in his next fight.
Emmett lands huge KO
The final main card of the year started with a bang as veteran Josh Emmett landed a monster knockout win over Bryce Mitchell.
Emmett came into the bout on a two-fight losing streak but arrested that run with a highlight-reel finish.
Mitchell took the fight on short notice and came out swinging but was on the receiving end of a brutal overhand right.
Both men threw at the same time but Emmett connected to end the contest emphatically after less than two minutes.
“I am the most powerful featherweight in the world,” Emmett said. “It only takes one shot.”
He added: “It’s been a tough year for me but I’m back baby!”
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