UFC 296: Emotional Leon Edwards dominates Colby Covington in Las Vegas to defend welterweight title

Leon Edwards comfortably defended his welterweight belt in his grudge match with Colby Covington at UFC 296.

All three judges scored the contest 49-46 in favour of the Brit at the end of a fight that largely failed to live up to its billing.

The build-up was marred by comments made by Covington in which he said Edwards’ deceased father was “in hell”, but the Briton maintained his focus to get his hand raised.

“This fight was very emotional for me,” Edwards said. “This guy used my dad’s death as entertainment and it took a lot for me to calm down and stay focused.

“After the press conference I was crying just with the rage. To this day it breaks my heart.”

The pre-fight needle didn’t translate into the Octagon when the door closed.

Edwards had vowed to remain “cold” and stayed true to his word.

'Rocky' landed the only meaningful shot of a cagey first round and looked by far the superior fighter during a 25-minute contest that drew some boos from those in attendance.

Covington, typically known for setting a frightening pace, appeared hesitant from the outset. Not until the third round did 'Chaos' show any sign of life when he completed a takedown, before Edwards quickly got back to his feet.

All the while, the champion remained on the front foot, landing a series of bruising leg kicks and doing enough to rack up the rounds. Like his second fight against Kamaru Usman, Covington started to find success in the fourth round but by then he was too far behind.

Another takedown early in the fifth encouraged the crowd and Covington finished the bout on top of his foe, but he didn’t do any significant damage and never threatened a submission.

In truth, Edwards looked like a fighter in second gear who had plenty more in the tank should he have needed it.

Asked if he was disappointed not to earn a stoppage win, Edwards added: “100 per cent. I feel like I’m the much better athlete and technician and I had a few scenarios where I could have finished it.

“But he’s a good guy. He competed hard against Kamaru Usman so he’s a great competitor, but just a dirty human being.”

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