Read about the flyweight feeding frenzy at UFC 296, where Alexandre Pantoja retained his title, Leon Edwards defended his strap, and Shavkat Rakhmonov continued his rise. Find out the latest rankings and potential challengers in the flyweight and welterweight divisions.
| Fight | Result |
|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval | Pantoja retains flyweight title with unanimous decision |
| Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington | Edwards defends welterweight strap with unanimous decision |
| Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson | Rakhmonov submits Thompson with rear-naked choke |
| Josh Emmett vs. Bryce Mitchell | Emmett knocks out Mitchell with devastating overhand right |
| Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa | Aldana wins bloody slugfest with unanimous decision |
| Ariane Lipski vs. Casey O’Neill | Lipski submits O’Neill in the second round |
The flyweight division saw Alexandre Pantoja retain his title with a dominant unanimous decision win over Brandon Royval. In the welterweight division, Leon Edwards successfully defended his strap against Colby Covington in a five-round battle. Shavkat Rakhmonov continued his rise with a submission victory over Stephen Thompson. Josh Emmett delivered a highlight-reel knockout against Bryce Mitchell. Irene Aldana redeemed herself with a thrilling victory over Karol Rosa. Ariane Lipski showcased her aggression and earned a submission win over Casey O’Neill.
In a thrilling night of fights at UFC 296, Alexandre Pantoja showcased his dominance in the flyweight division by taking a unanimous decision over Brandon Royval to retain his 125-pound title. Pantoja’s wrestling and grappling skills were on full display as he controlled the fight, leaving Royval with few opportunities to mount any offense. Despite the loss, Royval retains his No. 7 ranking but faces a tough road to a title shot as long as Pantoja remains champion.
In the main event, Leon Edwards successfully defended his welterweight strap for the second time, outpointing Colby Covington in a five-round battle. Edwards showcased his technical kickboxing skills, keeping a measured pace and stifling Covington’s aggressive style. Covington’s drop to eighth in the welterweight rankings reflects his recent decline in competitiveness, with his only win in his last three fights coming against a struggling Jorge Masvidal.
Another standout performance came from Shavkat Rakhmonov, who submitted Stephen Thompson with a rear-naked choke in the feature fight of UFC 296. Rakhmonov’s undefeated record now stands at an impressive 18-0, with all 18 victories coming by stoppage. With this win, Rakhmonov climbs to No. 6 in the welterweight rankings and quietly makes his case for a title shot.
Josh Emmett delivered one of the most memorable knockouts of 2023, knocking out Bryce Mitchell with a devastating overhand right in the first round. The victory marks Emmett’s return to form after two consecutive losses and solidifies his position as a featherweight contender. Mitchell, on the other hand, suffers his second decisive defeat against a Top 10 opponent.
Irene Aldana redeemed herself as a top bantamweight contender with a bloody and thrilling victory over Karol Rosa. Despite Rosa’s early success with low kicks, Aldana turned the tide with a relentless assault, securing a unanimous decision win. Aldana looks to bounce back from her loss to Amanda Nunes and position herself as a potential title challenger in the near future.
Ariane Lipski showcased her aggressive style and earned a second-round submission victory over Casey O’Neill. Lipski’s striking and ground game proved too much for O’Neill to handle, solidifying Lipski’s position in the women’s flyweight division.
Overall, UFC 296 delivered an action-packed night of fights with dominant champions, rising contenders, and thrilling finishes. The flyweight division continues to be a showcase for talent, and the welterweight division sees both Edwards and Rakhmonov making their case for a title shot.
