The lead-up to the main event at UFC 296 was marred by inappropriate comments from Covington about Edwards's late father. Despite the impact these remarks had on Edwards, the British fighter put on a stellar performance, showcasing his skills and shutting down the challenger.
All three judges scored the bout 49-46 in favor of Edwards, who established control with effective leg kicks that took a toll on Covington.
Despite Covington's attempts at takedowns, Edwards skillfully avoided trouble throughout the fight. While it didn't deliver the same excitement as his previous head-kick knockout of Kamaru Usman in the U.S., Edwards's performance was still impressive in its own right.
On the undercard, fellow Brit Paddy Pimblett notched a significant victory in his career, earning a points win over veteran Tony Ferguson. The Liverpudlian secured 30-27 verdicts from the officials against the former interim world champion, bringing him closer to a top-15 spot in the rankings.
