UFC 296 results: Matches to make for ‘Edwards vs. Covington’ main card winners

UFC 296 went down last night (Sat., Dec. 16, 2023) inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, with Leon Edwards defending his Welterweight title by dominating Colby Covington for five rounds (highlights). In the co-headlining title fight, Alexandre Pantoja also had his way with Brandon Royval to retain his 125-pound title, while Josh Emmett scored one of the more impressive (and scariest) knockout wins of the year by sleeping Bryce Mitchell with a ferocious one-punch finish (video results here).

Winner: Leon Edwards
Who He Should Face Next: Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov winner

Prior to last night, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Belal Muhammad was next in line to face the winner. After all, he was pegged as the back up and made weight for UFC 296 in case either Covington or Edwards failed to show up to the event. But, after Shavkat Rakhmonov had his way with Stephen Thompson earlier in the night to improve to 18-0, 6-0 UFC, “Nomad” complicated the title picture. Many felt he would jump the line with an impressive win, and while he did accomplish that, I am not too sure he will surpass “Remember The Name” just yet. While not official, I expect UFC to book Muhammad vs. Rakhmonov to see who gets “Rocky” next.

Winner: Alexandre Pantoja
Who He Should Face Next: Amir Albazi vs. Brandon Moreno winner

This one is a no-brainer. After Pantoja earned his first title defense with a win over Royval, the next man up has to be Albazi as long as he gets through Brandon Moreno when they throw down on Feb. 24, 2024, in Mexico City, Mexico. Ranked No. 3 at the moment, Albazi is currently on a six-fight win streak with four finishes. His last win came against Kai Kara-France, who is ranked right beneath him at No. 4. Albazi is undefeated inside the Octagon (5-0) and actually went 2-0 in his short stint with Bellator MMA, too. As for Moreno, if he can get back in the win column against Albazi, I wouldn’t be too surprised if the promotion books them for another title fight.

Winner: Shavkat Rakhmonov
Who He Should Face Next: Belal Muhammad

As impressive as Rakhmonov’s win was over Thompson, it doesn’t warrant him skipping over Muhammad in the championship line. Muhammad has a 10-fight unbeaten streak all inside the Octagon, though Rakhmonov is undefeated at 18-0, 6-0 UFC. Muhammad was the back up for Edwards vs. Covington, and deserves to get the next 170-pound title fight. That said, if the champion decides to sit out awhile — or if the promotion feels the need to see more from “Remember The Name” for some reason — then a title eliminator fight against Rakhmonov will be next.

Winner: Paddy Pimblett
Who He Should Face Next: Bobby Green

Pimblett scored his seventh straight win (fifth inside the Octagon) with a hard-earned unanimous decision win over Tony Ferguson, who came to fight and refused to lay down for “The Baddy.” It’s hard to tell just what kind of path UFC will try to take with Pimblett next. Will it give him a tougher opponent next? Will it continue to bring him along slowly? There is simply no telling. How about a fight against Bobby Green next for the blossoming Brit? Green is coming off brutal knockout loss at the hands of Jalin Turner, but I would still like to see him and “The Baddy” square up sometime in early 2024. “King” is a great test.

Winner: Josh Emmett
Who He Should Face Next: Giga Chikadze

Emmett scored the knockout of the year so far with a perfectly-timed overhand right that rivaled that of Chuck Liddell’s — who was in attendance — icing Bryce Mitchell in the process. It was actually a pretty scary sight to see (video replay here). With the win, Emmett snaps his two-fight skid and gets some newfound confidence for his next fight, which should come against Chikadze, the man he was supposed to face at this event before he bowed out with an injury. It’s a matchup that still makes sense.

For complete UFC 296 results, coverage and highlights, click HERE.