Time to catch up on some sleep now, that's it for tonight's live text coverage where we have been across boxing in Arizona and UFC in Las Vegas.

Over in Arizona, Briton Sunny Edwards suffered the first defeat of his career after he was stopped by Jesse Rodriguez.

Rodriguez picked up the IBF flyweight title, adding it to his WBO strap, to become a unified flyweight champion.

You can read the report here.

At UFC 296, Paddy Pimblett returned from a year out after undergoing surgery on his ankle to beat Tony Ferguson - read the report here.

And, of course, Leon Edwards got the job done against Colby Covington in the main event.

Edwards, making the second defence of his welterweight title, cruised to a unanimous decision win - read Paul Battison's report here.

That's all from us, thanks for coming along for the ride!

Pretty conclusive that you want to see Belal Muhammad get his shot at welterweight champion Leon Edwards next.

Image source, BBC Sport

Colby Covington, speaking to TNT Sports: "I had a long lay-off so I think a bit of ring rust had something to do with it. I feel great, I didn't feel like I got touched. Everyone who faces adversity in life, keep going."

On game plan: "I made a mistake, I made a bad mistake early on. People have been ducking me. Leon didn't want to fight in his home country. I didn't take any damage, it was the easiest fight of my life. I thought I won."

Image source, Getty Images

What next for Leon Edwards?

No doubt Edwards will enjoy a fully deserved break over Christmas but, as is the case in MMA, talk will quickly turn to who he faces in his next defence.

Shavkat Rakhmonov impressed again earlier tonight when beating Stephen Thompson. Rakhmonov is currently ranked number five but could edge up those rankings after moving to 18-0 with all of those victories coming inside the distance.

Belal Muhammad, ranked number two in the division, is also a top contender for a shot.

Muhammad is unbeaten in 10 and his meeting with Edwards in 2021 was called as a no contest due to an accidental eye poke.

What do you think?

Thumbs up for Rakhmonov or thumbs down for Muhammad.

Leon Edwards, speaking to TNT Sports: "I know I'm the better athlete but they kept going on about cardio so I wanted to match the cardio.

On wanting to grapple: "I wanted to grapple with him. I'm a mixed martial artist, so I wanted to come out here and prove my case. This is my second title defence and I've got a 13 win streak."

On Covington's comments at Thursday's press conference when he spoke about Edwards' father, who was murdered in 2004: "This guy used my dad's murder as entertainment. It took a lot for me to calm down. I spoke to my mum and my team and shut it all down. After the press conference, I was crying backstage because of the rage. You can't use my dad's death."

On not finishing Covington: "I feel like I was the much better athlete and technician. He's good, a great competitor but a dirty human being."

Image source, Getty Images

UFC fighter Arnold Allen: "Solid performance for Leon, mostly a shutout."

Niall McGrath: "Leon Edwards 49-46, he coasted for four rounds. Brilliant performance but Colby Covington wasn’t on it at all, totally flat. Not sure how he’s even putting his hands up, odd. And still… no doubt."

Simon Head: "Leon's probably had tougher sparring sessions than that over the last six weeks. 49-46 Edwards."

UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad: "Are we done with the Colby thing now 0-3 title fights? Wonder what excuse this bum makes up. Let me make welterweight great again."

That's 13 fights unbeaten now for Leon Edwards - he's won 12 of those and one ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke.

People still questioned just how good Edwards was coming into this contest, despite twice beating Kamaru Usman, but he was so comfortable tonight.

It wasn't the most exciting fight you'll ever see but Edwards could only deal with what was in front of him and Colby Covington, returning from a 21-month lay-off offered very little.

Image source, Getty Images

Leon Edwards retains his welterweight title in convincing fashion.

All three judges score it 49-46 to the Birmingham fighter.

Daniel Cormier
Retired two-weight UFC champion on TNT Sports

Colby's reaction was odd to me unless we were watching a completely different fight.

Covington ends the round on top but, aside from that last minute of the fight, he didn't really have any success.

As the buzzer rings out, Covington strangely gets to his feet and gestures the belt should be wrapped around his waist.

Surely he doesn't think he's won this fight?

We'll get the official decision from the judges in just a moment.

Image source, Getty Images

Joe Rogan
UFC commentator on TNT Sports

This is not a good look if Leon ends this fight on his back with Colby on top of him.

Covington, for the first time, enjoys some control time.

Edwards has his back on the canvas as Covington moves to half guard.

Covington is trying to dig in some punches to the body but it's not causing Edwards too much discomfort.

Covington throws a kick to the body and it's palmed away by Edwards.

Hope for Covington? He attacks the legs, drives and gets the takedown.

But it's fine work from the champion as he gets back to his feet and, like he did earlier, secures a takedown of his own.

Edwards latches himself on to the back of Covington but he is struggling to get the hooks in as he looks for a submission.

He almost manages to find his way to a triangle submission but Covington is out of danger and manages to get on top, albeit only in the guard of Edwards.

Joe Rogan
UFC commentator on TNT Sports

Leon wants to grapple, this is so crazy!

Nate Diaz
Former UFC fighter on X

Leon doin his thang.

A brief moment of concern for Edwards in the last 30 seconds as he is taken down and tries to grapple.

Initially, he appears to get the better of the exchange but then Covington works his way to the back and tries to sink in the hooks.

Nothing doing in the end.

Just one round to go and Edwards is on course for a unanimous decision here.

Image source, Getty Images

Covington throws out a left hand and then goes sprinting forward, changing levels and looking for the takedown.

But again, Edwards resists and eventually manages to circle away from the cage.

There's a brief break in the action as Edwards seems to catch Covington slightly low - it didn't look intentional - but Covington says he is fine to continue.

Covington, as expected, is getting busier now.

Image source, Getty Images

Into the Championship rounds.

Covington, down by three, surely has to get a little desperate now. He needs a stoppage of some sort to take Edwards' title.

He shoots for a takedown and manages to put Edwards' back on the cage but Edwards has a wide base, spreading his feet to stay standing.

Edwards spots an open neck and tries to find a submission but Covington twists away and they disengage.

Image source, Getty Images

Daniel Cormier
Retired two-weight UFC champion on TNT Sports

Colby scored a takedown so Leon got right back up and kicked him in the head.