Fight Matrix Program – UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington (12-16-2023)

Welterweight Championship (170)
[#1/#5DD/#2P4P] Leon Edwards (21-3-0, -142) vs. [*] Colby Covington (17-3-0, +117)
Leon Edwards is the All-Time #6 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Colby Covington is the All-Time #8 ranked Welterweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Leon Edwards (3-0-0)
2023-03-18: W vs. [#2WW] Kamaru Usman (20-4-0) via MD (48-46, 48-46, 47-47)
2022-08-20: W vs. [#2WW] Kamaru Usman (20-4-0) via KO (Head Kick) in 4:04 of round 5
2021-06-12: W vs. [*] Nate Diaz (21-13-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

Last 3 Fights: Colby Covington (2-1-0)
2022-03-05: W vs. [*] Jorge Masvidal (35-17-0) via UD (50-44, 50-45, 49-46)
2021-11-06: L vs. [#2WW] Kamaru Usman (20-4-0) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
2020-09-19: W vs. [*] Tyron Woodley (19-7-1) via TKO (Rib Injury) in 1:19 of round 5

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Leon Edwards 273, Colby Covington 651
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Leon Edwards leads 4-2
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Flyweight Championship (125)
[#1/#2DD/#3P4P] Alexandre Pantoja (26-5-0, -177) vs. [#5] Brandon Royval (15-6-0, +144)
Alexandre Pantoja is the All-Time #10 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Brandon Royval is the All-Time #29 ranked Flyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Alexandre Pantoja (3-0-0)
2023-07-08: W vs. [#2FLY/#3DD/#4P4P] Brandon Moreno (21-7-2) via SD (46-49, 48-47, 48-47)
2022-07-30: W vs. [*] Alex Perez (24-7-0) via Submission (Neck Crank) in 1:31 of round 1
2021-08-21: W vs. [#5FLY] Brandon Royval (15-6-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:46 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Brandon Royval (3-0-0)
2023-04-15: W vs. [#10FLY] Matheus Nicolau (19-3-1) via KO (Knee and Elbows) in 2:09 of round 1
2022-05-07: W vs. [#29FLY] Matt Schnell (16-8-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:14 of round 1
2022-01-15: W vs. [#36FLY] Rogerio Bontorin (18-5-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alexandre Pantoja 161, Brandon Royval 245
Previous Match-up Record: Alexandre Pantoja leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Alexandre Pantoja leads 3-1
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Welterweight (170)
[#5] Shavkat Rakhmonov (17-0-0, -596) vs. [#8] Stephen Thompson (17-6-1, +417)
Shavkat Rakhmonov is the All-Time #41 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Stephen Thompson is the All-Time #15 ranked Welterweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Shavkat Rakhmonov (3-0-0)
2023-03-04: W vs. [#14WW] Geoff Neal (15-5-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 4:17 of round 3
2022-06-25: W vs. [#16WW] Neil Magny (28-11-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 4:58 of round 2
2022-02-05: W vs. [#42WW] Carlston Harris (19-5-0) via KO (Spinning Hook Kick and Punches) in 4:10 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Stephen Thompson (1-2-0)
2022-12-03: W vs. [#13WW] Kevin Holland (25-10-0) via TKO (Corner Stoppage) in 5:00 of round 4
2021-12-18: L vs. [#3WW] Belal Muhammad (23-3-0) via UD (30-25, 30-26, 30-26)
2021-07-10: L vs. [#4WW] Gilbert Burns (22-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Shavkat Rakhmonov 287, Stephen Thompson 378
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Lightweight (155)
[#44] Paddy Pimblett (20-3-0, -344) vs. [#57] Tony Ferguson (25-9-0, +264)
Tony Ferguson is the All-Time #10 ranked Lightweight and #47 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Paddy Pimblett (3-0-0)
2022-12-10: W vs. [#41LW] Jared Gordon (20-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2022-07-23: W vs. [#213LW] Jordan Leavitt (11-3-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 2:46 of round 2
2022-03-19: W vs. [#429WW] Rodrigo Vargas (14-6-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 3:49 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Tony Ferguson (0-3-0)
2023-07-29: L vs. [#17LW] Bobby Green (31-15-1) via Technical Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 4:54 of round 3
2022-09-10: L vs. [*] Nate Diaz (21-13-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:52 of round 4
2022-05-07: L vs. [#7LW] Michael Chandler (23-8-0) via KO (Front Kick) in 0:17 of round 2

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Paddy Pimblett 371, Tony Ferguson 140
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Welterweight (170)
[#9] Vicente Luque (22-9-1, +276) vs. [#11] Ian Garry (13-0-0, -365)
Vicente Luque is the All-Time #40 ranked Welterweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Vicente Luque (1-2-0)
2023-08-12: W vs. [#18WW] Rafael dos Anjos (32-15-0) via UD (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
2022-08-06: L vs. [#14WW] Geoff Neal (15-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 2:01 of round 3
2022-04-16: L vs. [#3WW] Belal Muhammad (23-3-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)

Last 3 Fights: Ian Garry (3-0-0)
2023-08-19: W vs. [#16WW] Neil Magny (28-11-0) via UD (30-26, 30-24, 30-26)
2023-05-13: W vs. [#39WW] Daniel Rodriguez (17-4-0) via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) in 2:57 of round 1
2023-03-04: W vs. [#166WW] Kenan Song (20-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:22 of round 3

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Vicente Luque 126, Ian Garry 119
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Flyweight (125)
[#16] Tagir Ulanbekov (15-2-0, -172) vs. [#17] Cody Durden (16-4-1, +141)

Last 3 Fights: Tagir Ulanbekov (2-1-0)
2022-11-05: W vs. [#23FLY] Nathan Maness (15-3-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:11 of round 1
2022-03-05: L vs. [#77BW] Tim Elliott (20-13-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2021-10-30: W vs. [#28FLY] Allan Nascimento (20-6-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Cody Durden (3-0-0)
2023-08-05: W vs. [#64FLY] Jake Hadley (10-2-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2023-04-29: W vs. [#60FLY] Charles Johnson (13-6-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2022-10-29: W vs. [#173FLY] Carlos Mota (8-2-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Tagir Ulanbekov 406, Cody Durden 133
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Women Bantamweight (135)
[#2] Irene Aldana (14-7-0, -204) vs. [#9] Karol Rosa (17-5-0, +166)

Last 3 Fights: Irene Aldana (2-1-0)
2023-06-10: L vs. [*] Amanda Nunes (23-5-0) via UD (50-44, 50-44, 50-43)
2022-09-10: W vs. [*] Macy Chiasson (8-3-0) via KO (Upkick to the Body) in 2:21 of round 3
2021-07-10: W vs. [#11BW] Yana Santos (14-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:35 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Karol Rosa (2-1-0)
2023-07-01: W vs. [#11BW] Yana Santos (14-8-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2023-04-22: L vs. [#4FW] Norma Dumont (10-2-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2022-10-22: W vs. [*] Lina Lansberg (10-8-0) via MD (29-27, 28-28, 29-27)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Irene Aldana 189, Karol Rosa 168
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 3 win(s) against common opposition.
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Women Flyweight (125)
[#18] Casey ONeill (9-1-0, -210) vs. [#20] Ariane Lipski (16-8-0, +170)

Last 3 Fights: Casey ONeill (2-1-0)
2023-03-18: L vs. [#11FLY] Jennifer Maia (21-10-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2022-02-12: W vs. [*] Roxanne Modafferi (25-20-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2021-10-02: W vs. [*] Antonina Shevchenko (10-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:47 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Ariane Lipski (2-1-0)
2023-07-01: W vs. [#36FLY] Melissa Gatto (8-2-2) via SD (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
2023-03-11: W vs. [#29FLY] J.J. Aldrich (13-6-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2022-08-13: L vs. [#46FLY] Priscila Cachoeira (12-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:05 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Casey ONeill 273, Ariane Lipski 168
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Casey ONeill leads 1-0
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Welterweight (170)
[#33] Randy Brown (17-5-0, -250) vs. [#43] Muslim Salikhov (19-4-0, +200)

Last 3 Fights: Randy Brown (2-1-0)
2023-06-24: W vs. [#127WW] Wellington Turman (18-8-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2023-02-11: L vs. [#12WW] Jack Della Maddalena (16-2-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 2:13 of round 1
2022-10-01: W vs. [#45WW] Francisco Trinaldo (29-9-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Muslim Salikhov (1-2-0)
2023-06-17: L vs. [#28WW] Nicolas Dalby (23-5-1) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
2022-11-19: W vs. [#77WW] Andre Fialho (16-8-0) via TKO (Spinning Wheel Kick and Punches) in 1:03 of round 3
2022-07-16: L vs. [*] Jingliang Li (19-8-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 4:38 of round 2

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Randy Brown 175, Muslim Salikhov 182
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Light Heavyweight (205)
[#18] Dustin Jacoby (19-7-1, -246) vs. [#24] Alonzo Menifield (14-3-1, +197)

Last 3 Fights: Dustin Jacoby (1-2-0)
2023-08-05: W vs. [#34LHW] Kennedy Nzechukwu (12-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:22 of round 1
2023-04-15: L vs. [#17LHW] Azamat Murzakanov (13-0-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2022-10-29: L vs. [#11LHW] Khalil Rountree (13-6-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Alonzo Menifield (2-0-1)
2023-07-08: W vs. [#41LHW] Jimmy Crute (12-4-1) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 1:55 of round 2
2023-02-11: D vs. [#41LHW] Jimmy Crute (12-4-1) via Draw (Majority) in 5:00 of round 3
2022-10-15: W vs. [#88LHW] Misha Cirkunov (15-9-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:28 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Dustin Jacoby 133, Alonzo Menifield 161
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Bantamweight (135)
[#31] Cody Garbrandt (13-5-0, -219) vs. [*] Brian Kelleher (24-14-0, +176)
Cody Garbrandt is the All-Time #8 ranked Bantamweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Cody Garbrandt (1-2-0)
2023-03-04: W vs. [#65BW] Trevin Jones (15-10-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2021-12-11: L vs. [#4FLY] Kai Kara-France (24-11-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:21 of round 1
2021-05-22: L vs. [#14BW] Rob Font (20-8-0) via UD (48-47, 50-45, 50-45)

Last 3 Fights: Brian Kelleher (1-2-0)
2022-06-25: L vs. [#34BW] Mario Bautista (13-2-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 2:27 of round 1
2022-03-05: L vs. [#16BW] Umar Nurmagomedov (16-0-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 3:15 of round 1
2022-01-15: W vs. [*] Kevin Croom (24-15-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Cody Garbrandt 287, Brian Kelleher 539
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Heavyweight (265)
[#45] Shamil Gaziev (11-0-0, +150) vs. [#55] Martin Buday (13-1-0, -183)

Last 3 Fights: Shamil Gaziev (3-0-0)
2023-09-19: W vs. [#143HW+] Greg Velasco (6-1-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 2:38 of round 1
2023-02-18: W vs. [#52HW+] Darko Stosic (19-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:54 of round 1
2022-10-28: W vs. [#158HW+] Pavel Dailidko (7-2-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:46 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Martin Buday (3-0-0)
2023-08-12: W vs. [#191HW+] Josh Parisian (15-7-0) via Submission (Kimura) in 4:11 of round 1
2023-04-29: W vs. [#99HW+] Jake Collier (13-10-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2022-08-13: W vs. [#167HW+] Lukasz Brzeski (8-4-1) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Shamil Gaziev 88, Martin Buday 126
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Featherweight (145)
[#58] Andre Fili (22-10-0, -185) vs. [#162] Lucas Almeida (14-2-0, +152)

Last 3 Fights: Andre Fili (1-2-0)
2023-07-22: L vs. [#40FW] Nathaniel Wood (19-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2022-09-17: W vs. [#20FW] Bill Algeo (18-7-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2022-04-30: L vs. [#28FW] Joanderson Brito (16-3-1) via TKO (Punches) in 0:41 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Lucas Almeida (2-1-0)
2023-06-17: L vs. [#72FW] Pat Sabatini (18-5-0) via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 1:48 of round 2
2022-06-04: W vs. [#84FW] Michael Trizano (10-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:55 of round 3
2021-11-28: W vs. [*] Italo Trindade (10-4-0) via SUB in 2:07 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Andre Fili 147, Lucas Almeida 182
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Featherweight (145)
[#7] Josh Emmett (18-4-0, +151) vs. [#12] Bryce Mitchell (16-1-0, -183)
Josh Emmett is the All-Time #23 ranked Featherweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Josh Emmett (1-2-0)
2023-06-24: L vs. [#4FW] Ilia Topuria (14-0-0) via UD (49-45, 50-44, 50-42)
2023-02-11: L vs. [#3FW] Yair Rodriguez (19-4-0) via Submission (Triangle Choke) in 4:19 of round 2
2022-06-18: W vs. [#9FW] Calvin Kattar (23-7-0) via SD (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)

Last 3 Fights: Bryce Mitchell (2-1-0)
2023-09-23: W vs. [#15FW] Dan Ige (17-7-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2022-12-10: L vs. [#4FW] Ilia Topuria (14-0-0) via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 3:10 of round 2
2022-03-05: W vs. [#17FW] Edson Barboza (24-11-0) via UD (30-25, 30-26, 30-27)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Josh Emmett 175, Bryce Mitchell 84
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Notes about the Fight Card
– Highest-rated fighter always listed first.
– A ‘*’ ranking suggests a fighter is inactive.
– An ‘NA’ ranking suggests the fighter is too low for a ranking or we do not have division info for them.
– The Elo Modified rating info includes any considered fight-specific advantages, such as home advantage.
– The Elo/Glicko/WHR Win% is approximate and includes the favorites probability share of a draw occurring.

Fight Card Statistics

Highest Pre-Bout Raw Rating: Leon Edwards
Highest Stored DD Rating: Alexandre Pantoja
Highest Pre-Bout Fight Raw Rating: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington
Highest Stored Fight DD Rating: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval
Event Matchmaking Competitiveness Rating (of 5*): Great [****]
Total Event MMA Rankings Impact (of 5*): Very Large [****]
Run Date: 2023-12-10