UFC 296 LIVE RESULTS: Leon Edwards batters Colby Covington for five rounds as Ferguson LOSES & Strickland BRAWLS

War wounds

Irene Aldana and Karol Rosa looked unrecognisable as they posed for a hospital photo following their incredible three-round bantamweight prelim war.

Edwards sets his sights on greatness

Leon Edwards has revealed to SunSport that he's eyeing the title of the greatest welterweight of all time following his second title defence.

"They all hurt"

Colby Covington tells SunSport that none of his title loss hurt more than the other.

The American got emotional recalling his shortcomings, which he's vowed to eventually erase the memory of.

Colby is here

Colby Covington has showed up for the post-fight press conference.

Covington doubles down

Colby Covington doubled down on his Donald Trump schtick after his defeat to Leon Edwards.

He said: "I want to shout out all the first responders and military who serve and protect this country.

"I also want to shout out Donald Trump. I feel great, I didn’t get touched and don’t have a scratch on me.

"I made a bad adjustment early on, so I’m going to learn from this and I will come back stronger.”

Dana White talks

UFC president Dana White has just told SunSport that the promotion will definitely return to the UK in 2024.

But he refused to confirm whether or not they'll be back on these shores in March for the traditional London show.

MVP signs with the UFC

UFC president Dana White has announced the signing of Brit Michael 'Venom' Page - who will make his debut at UFC 299 on March 9.

Covington blames hiatus for defeat

Colby Covington blamed his long hiatus for his defeat to Leon Edwards - his third straight loss in title fights.

He said: “I had a long layoff, so I thing ring rust had a lot to do that."

Edwards talks

An elated Edwards told Joe Rogan: "I knew I was the better athlete, everyone kept going on about his cardio but cardio. I

"I shut him down with technique and range. I’m a mixed martial artist, I wanted to come out here and prove that.

"He used my dad’s death as entertainment, it took a lot for me to calm down. He’s a great competitor but just a dirty human being.”

Edwards wins

Leon Edwards retains his welterweight title win a decision victory over Colby Covington.

The judges scored the fight 49-46 in favour of the Brit.

Edwards vs Covington – Round 5

Covington has to go for broke here. What is likely his final crack at welterweight gold is slipping between his fingers.

Edwards lands a good left hook before being taken down against the fence.

Edwards wall-walks and gets a takedown of his own.

He takes the back of Covington and starts to look for a rear-naked choke.

Covington almost gives up his arm to an armbar as he tries to transition out of the bad position but manages to survive.

The challenger spins into Edwards' guard and looks to go to work with two minutes of the round remaining.

But he was unable to pull off a Hail Mary submission to get his hands on UFC gold.

Edwards vs Covington – Round 4

Covingtin has a telegraphed head kick blocked shortly after the restart.

He's working hard for a double leg against the fence. Edwards goes for a guillotine but Covington is wise to it and spins out of danger.

A stiff left hand snaps back the head of the challenger, who eats a hard low kick moments later.

Covington works hard for another takedown but Edwards defends it beautifully.

A brief pause to the action due to an accidental low blow but they go right back to it.

Covington lands a good left hand which sends the sweat flying off the face of the champion.

Edwards stuffs a takedown attempt but th ensuing scramble leads to Covington taking his back.

A beautiful reversal from the champ who uses it to get back to his feet with 20 seconds to go.

Edwards vs Covington – Round 3

Covington shoots for a takedown early doors but sees his attempt to ground the fight stuffed.

Edwards is doing a great job of countering when Colby leaves himself vulnerable coming in.

A big double leg from Covington yields success and the arena erupts as their man grounds the champ.

But Edwards gets back to his feet and lands a head kick before shooting for a takedown.

It's stuffed but he shoots for another - which is successful - before allowing the challenger back to his feet

Edwards continues to put Covington on the back foot. The horn goes.

Edwards vs Covington – Round 2

Covington is tentative to enter striking range for fear of getting countered.

But as I say that, he lands a good straight left on the chin of the champion.

Edwards's stance switching is giving the challenger a real problem. And it sets up an overhand just before the two-minute mark.

Edwards has a head kick partially blocked before landing a good straight left 40 seconds later.

Boos ring out from the frustrated crowd - who are seemingly directing their anger at Covington.

Edwards vs Covington - Round 1

Edwards takes the centre of the octagon early and looks to feint his way in.

Colby isn't buying any of them as he's cheered on by chants of "USA, USA, USA.":

A front kick up the middle narrowly misses for Edwards, who is happy to take his time and continue to gauge his distance.

A hard leg kick lands for the champ a minute and a half into the round.

Covington is seemingly cautious to enter the pocket, perhaps as he's aware of Edwards' slick counter-striking.

Chants of "F**k you, Leon" ring throughout the arena. The champ responds with a big right hand that staggers Covington.

Covington shoots for a takedown with a minute and half of the round left but it's easily stuffed.

Covington has his head snapped back by a stiff counter left which gives him plenty of food for thought.

Edwards ends the round with a hard low kick.

Trump's advice to Covington

Colby Covington got some words of encouragement from Donald Trump moments before the biggest fight of his career.

Will they help? We'll soon find out.

Main event time

Here we go, ladies and gentlemen. The big one is just moments away.

Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington for all the welterweight marbles.

Will Edwards be able to continue his reign Britain's second UFC champion?

Or will Covington get his hands on the 170lbs title at the third time of asking?

We're about to find out. My heart is absolutely pounding right now!

And still!

Alejandre Pantoja has retained his flyweight title with a decision victory over Brandon Royval.

All three judges scored the contest the same, turning in 50-45 scorecards.

Pantoja vs Moreno – Round 5

Royval has come out all guns blazing and has the champ on the back foot.

Pantoja is tired, breathing heavy, and taking heavy shots.

He tries to clinch to by himself some respite but Royval eventually shrugs him off.

Pantoja is sluggish but is still doing his best to throw punches.

He gets clipped coming in for a takedown but he doesn't seem to be too hurt.

The Brazilian is doing everything he can to ground the fight. And he gets the challenger down with less than half of the round remaining.

Pantoja is trying to stay busy on top and is doing a good job of doing so.

The round and the fight ends with him on top.

Pantoja vs Moreno – Round 4

Pantoja starts the round as he ends it - with a big takedown straight into half-guard.

The Brazilian takes Royval's back after a scramble and is looking to set up a rear-naked choke.

He's got it over the neck! But Royval, somehow, manages to survive.

Royval scrambles and manages to land some elbows after mounting the champ, who ends the round on his back.

Pantoja vs Moreno – Round 3

Big takedown for Pantoja a little over 30 seconds into the round.

The Brazilian moves into the mount and looks to sink in an arm triangle.

He changes tact and goes for the back but Royval reverses him and manages to stand up and escape.

A hard body kick lands for Royvallbut Pantoja uses it to try to initiate a clinch.

He's unsuccessful and manages and they go back to the centre of the cage.

Pantoja is starting to slow down here and Royval is beginning to have success.

But just as I say that, he manages to secure a big takedown. The round ends.

Pantoja vs Moreno – Round 2

Pantoja lands a stiff straight right to start the round but Royval takes it well.

The champ looks to get the fight back to the ground but sees his takedown attempt stuffed.

Takedown for Pantoja! The champ is utilising great pressure to keep Royval on his back.

Some nice elbows land for Pantoja with just over a minute of the round left.

And he wobbles the challenge with a big straight left, but Royval returns fire with a stiff shot of his own.

The round ends.

Pantoja vs Moreno - Round 1

A strong opener for the defending champion, who has been on point with his striking and his takedowns.

Royval hasn't been able to deal with the Brazilian's top pressure since being grounded and is really struggling to create separation.

As I say that, he makes it back to his feet and they resume action in the centre of the cage.

A stiff jab lands for Royval before the end of the stanza. 10-9 to the champ

Co-main event time

Our first title fight of the night is about to get underway.

Men's flyweight king Alejandre Pantoja will bid to make the first defence of the 125lbs throne in a rematch with red-hot challenger Brandon Royval.

This one will be a barnburner, folks.

Shavkat's streak continues

Shavkat Rakhmonov has continued his sensational finishing streak - moving to a staggering 18-0 with a submission win over Stephen Wonderboy Thompson.

18 finishes for the Kazakh phenom. Who is gonna stop him?