UFC champion shows off Trump's favorite fighter in hate summit

Insults and an inglorious remark precede the MMA event UFC 296. This gives the main fight a personal touch. However, the otherwise cheeky Trump supporter and title contender Covington's statements made in advance stick in his throat.

The hate summit between welterweight champion Leon Edwards and Colby Covington comes to a memorable end at UFC 296. During the week, challenger Covington went on a rant about the welterweight champion's dead father. Many had hoped for a sporting retaliation in the main fight in Las Vegas. On a sporting level, however, one of the two MMA fighters disappointed.

Covington, who describes himself as Donald Trump's favorite fighter, had stirred up the atmosphere before the fight. At the press conference, he presented himself in Civil War uniform and declared that the Briton would go home empty-handed like his compatriots in the War of Secession. Then came the cross-border statement: "I will take you to the seventh circle of hell," said Covington. There he could say 'hello' to his deceased father, Covington continued. Edwards' father was murdered around 19 years ago. After the statement, the Brit threw a water bottle at his challenger and later said that Covington would soon be a dead man. On entering the arena, Covington in particular no longer seemed so relaxed, but he did not let the personal motivation from Trump, who was sitting right by the ring, get to him beforehand.

Edwards dominates the fight from the start

Round one did not start as expected. There was no trace of emotion from Edwards. The Brit presented himself in a very focused and controlled manner. Covington, who is said to have outstanding stamina, was in reverse gear for almost the entire five minutes and busy dodging the champion's kicks. Edwards had the best shot of the round with a left straight that left a small cut on the challenger. Covington also kept a low profile in the second round. It was easy for champion Edwards to outbox the American. The Brit also repeatedly threw kicks at the challenger's calf and thigh, visibly limiting his momentum.

It was only in the third round that Covington seemed to get involved in the fight. An excellent wrestler, he managed to get the first takedown, but was barely able to maintain control. Even more fatal for the challenger: Edwards wrestled Covington down after both had risen to their feet - a completely unfamiliar sight. The Brit then continued to dissect his opponent. Kicks to the thigh, quick jabs. Everything went according to plan for the champion.

Covington without a real chance

Edwards had the better answers that evening. He intercepted a takedown attempt by Covington right at the start of the fourth round and applied a choke. Covington was able to wriggle out of it, but looked desperate. The next attempt to wrestle the Brit down also failed. Covington was the more active man in round five. He wrestled Edwards down, only to find himself in the Brit's clinch a few seconds later. However, Covington was too experienced on the ground to fall for the attempts at submission holds. However, the 35-year-old challenger had a long period of control on the ground. After the final siren, both raised their arms to the sky in the belief that they had won. Yet the fight was a clear-cut affair and something of a mauling for the challenger. Edwards won in dominant fashion on points (49-46, 49-46, 49-46).

The title holder described the victory as satisfaction. "He used the murder of my father for entertainment," said the 32-year-old. "I felt I was the better athlete and had the better technique. He's a tough fighter, but just a bad person." Covington explained his poor showing as "ring rust", but then quickly switched into campaign mode and campaigned for Trump, who struggled to crack a smile. Trump would make America great again. Fighting inflation and securing the borders is something only Trump can do. Covington spoke of a rigged presidential election and that Trump had picked himself up again after this setback - and he wanted to do the same. From his point of view, he had won the fight and survived without a scratch, said Covington, who had blood running down his face.

Pantoja presents himself as a takedown monster

The duel between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval already took place in August 2021, when the Brazilian prevailed and paved his way to becoming flyweight champion. In his first title defense, things went according to plan for Pantoja. He forced the US-American into reverse with high speed and aggressive advances. The Brazilian landed cracking kicks to the body and leg, while Royval landed several jabs. The champion was even able to convert an advance into a takedown and maintained control on the ground for a long time.

Both kept up the high pace in round two. Royval was more aggressive in this round, but literally walked into a takedown and again found himself in the worse position on the ground. Pantoja gradually improved his position and was able to land many small punches from close range. But the American also remained active and landed punches. One minute before the end of the round, the Brazilian opened up his position and went back to standing. He hit Royval directly with a right jab that shook him up. Round three was like a blueprint of the Brazilian's previously successful approach. After a few seconds, it was back to the ground fight, only this time Royval was able to wriggle out. The challenger looked fresher in terms of fitness, but kept struggling with the takedown attempts. He was able to fend off several of them with knee strikes, but with a minute left on the clock Pantoja took his opponent down again.

Despite a strong third round, the coaches told their Brazilian fighter that he had lost the round. For Pantoja, this was probably the signal to continue trying his luck on the ground. After a few seconds, another takedown was secured and the champion took his opponent's back, wrapped his legs tightly around his opponent's body and began to apply chokeholds. Royval fought back to the best of his ability. With 30 seconds to go, he was even able to switch positions and was on top. He landed several good punches against the visibly exhausted champion. In round five, the difference in stamina was noticeable. Royval landed several uppercuts and put the Brazilian under pressure. Pantoja had hardly any counters left, apart from a few leg kicks. And Pantoja also had another takedown up his sleeve in this round, which gave him control on the ground. This was ultimately the decisive difference between the cage fighters. Pantoja defended his flyweight title confidently on points (50-45, 49-46, 50-45).

Rakhmonov continues uncanny streak

For 40-year-old Stephen Thompson, the fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov was to be a new attempt at the title. After a few kicks, the karate fighter from the USA found himself in a clinch on the edge of the cage for around three minutes. The Kazakh tried to outwrestle Thompson, but he refused to be pulled to the ground. The end result was an extremely tough round that was difficult to score. Rakhmonov was unable to get the takedown attempts through, Thompson landed few but ultimately more significant strikes.

Round two was the same picture: Rakhmonov pushed Thompson to the cage. This time the Kazakh brought his opponent to the ground and applied a dangerous submission hold. However, Thompson was able to free himself from the guillotine choke, but Rakhmonov kept control and took the American's back. Here he was able to apply a rear-naked choke seconds before the end - forcing Thompson to give up. It was the 29-year-old's 18th early victory in his 18th professional fight. This puts him in a position to fight for the welterweight title in the future.

Pimblett shows his ground game

Ferguson could show little against Pimblett (r.).

There had been a heated exchange between the two lightweights Tony Ferguson and Paddy Pimblett at the press conference during the week - expletives included. UFC veteran Ferguson wanted to end his streak of six defeats in a row, but the up-and-coming Brit had something against it. The 28-year-old from Liverpool set off some fireworks in the first round. After two minutes of feeling things out, several leg kicks from Pimblett and quick jabs from Ferguson, "The Baddy", as Pimblett is known, found his range. He landed a series of punch combinations and caused the American to falter. A jumped-in knee threw Ferguson back against the cage, the following left hook sent him to the floor. Pimblett followed up and got himself into a good position to apply a submission hold. However, the experienced Ferguson managed to wriggle out before the round ended.

Round two got off to another promising start for Pimblett. A knockdown by the Brit shifted the fight back to the ground, an area in which Ferguson always remained dangerous. He repeatedly went for takedowns and kept Pimblett busy. Although the 28-year-old landed a few punches and was in control on the ground, he was unable to inflict any damage on his 39-year-old opponent as he had done in round one. Pimblett looked exhausted and powerless in the third round. Ferguson landed the better punches, but with a final show of strength the Brit managed a takedown. He was able to regain control on the ground and Ferguson was unable to find a way to return to a standing position. Pimblett was thus able to secure a clear points victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). "Going into grappling was the gameplan," said Pimblett, thanking Ferguson, who he described as a "legend". "The fact that I clearly won every round on points makes me happy," said the Briton.