Leon Edwards Submits Colby Covington in Round 4 to Retain UFC Welterweight Championship

Leon Edwards successfully defended his UFC welterweight championship for the second time tonight, submitting Colby Covington with a rear naked choke at 3:47 of the fourth round at UFC 300 inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old Birmingham native dominated the fight from start to finish, showcasing improved grappling skills that ultimately proved decisive against one of the division's most accomplished wrestlers.

Edwards established control early in the contest, using his superior striking to keep Covington at bay while defending takedown attempts with excellent timing and technique. The champion's jab was particularly effective throughout the opening rounds, consistently finding its mark and disrupting Covington's aggressive pressure style. "I've been working on my grappling non-stop since becoming champion," Edwards said during his post-fight interview. "Colby is known for his wrestling, but I was confident I could match him anywhere this fight went."

Covington, seeking his first UFC title after multiple previous attempts, struggled to implement his typical grinding style against Edwards' improved defensive wrestling and superior striking. The former interim champion managed several takedowns throughout the fight but was unable to maintain control or inflict significant damage once the action moved to the ground. Edwards consistently worked back to his feet or reversed position, demonstrating the championship-level grappling that has elevated his game since capturing the title.

The turning point came midway through the fourth round when Edwards reversed a Covington takedown attempt and immediately transitioned to back control. The champion showed patience and technique in securing his hooks before gradually working to isolate Covington's neck. Despite the challenger's desperate attempts to escape, Edwards locked in the rear naked choke and gradually tightened his grip until Covington was forced to tap, bringing a decisive end to their heated rivalry.

The victory extends Edwards' winning streak to four fights and establishes him as one of the most complete champions in the UFC. His evolution from primarily a striker to a well-rounded mixed martial artist capable of finishing fights in multiple ways has been remarkable to witness. The performance also answered questions about his ability to handle elite wrestlers, as he not only defended Covington's takedowns but actually used his own grappling to secure the finish.

For Covington, the defeat represents another setback in his quest for UFC gold, as he falls to 0-3 in undisputed title fights despite his consistent ranking among the division's elite. The 34-year-old veteran acknowledged Edwards' superiority while remaining defiant about his future prospects. "Leon got me tonight, but this isn't over," Covington said. "I'll be back, and next time I won't make the same mistakes. He caught me, but I still believe I'm the best welterweight in the world."

Edwards' performance sets up potential future defenses against other elite contenders in what remains one of the UFC's most competitive divisions. Names like Belal Muhammad, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Jack Della Maddalena are all in contention for the next title shot, though Edwards expressed openness to facing any challenger. "I'm the champion, and I'll fight whoever the UFC puts in front of me," Edwards declared. "Tonight proved that I'm not just a striker anymore - I can finish fights however they need to be finished, and that makes me dangerous for anyone in this division." The victory also marked a successful return to Las Vegas for Edwards, who had not fought in the city since his title-winning performance against Kamaru Usman in 2022. UFC president Dana White praised both fighters after the contest while hinting that Edwards' next defense could headline a major pay-per-view event later this year.