If you missed it earlier, Paddy Pimblett returned from a year out after undergoing surgery on his ankle to beat Tony Ferguson.

You can read Paul Battison's report here.

Image source, Getty Images

Shavkat Rakhmonov, speaking to TNT Sports: "Stephen Thompson is a very tough opponent and I'm very pleased I finished him."

On the possibility of fighting for the welterweight title next: "I'm ready to fight the winner of the title fight."

Image source, Reuters

Paul Battison
BBC Sport at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

When Leon Edwards has been asked previously what he thinks about Colby Covington's persona, he has laughed it off, describing the American as a "clown" who engages in "harmless banter".

Covington's comment left a sour taste which will linger until the pair meet inside the octagon on Saturday.

The incident raises questions about trash talking and whether it's acceptable for fighters to say whatever they want, no matter how despicable, in the name of selling a fight.

Edwards says the incident hasn't made things personal between the pair, but it will be interesting to see if it has any effect on the fight.

One of Edwards' biggest strengths is his patience and counter-striking ability, but if he goes in there trying to finish the fight too early, it could play into Covington's hands.

Edwards could swing too hard or over-reach which Covington can take advantage of with his takedowns.

On the other hand, if Edwards can stay calm and channel his emotion into his striking, Covington may regret giving the champion that extra impetus.

Colby Covington has a reputation for being an agitator, the American often crosses lines with his comments and jibes in the build-up to a fight as he attempts to try and generate interest.

Thursday's press conference was another example of Covington going too far when he made a repulsive comment about Leon Edwards' late father being "in hell".

"I'm bringing you to the seventh layer of hell," Covington said to Edwards. "We'll say 'what's up' to your dad while we're there."

Edwards' father was murdered in London in 2004.

Infuriated by the comment, Edwards threw a bottle at Covington before the pair had to be separated by security.

Covington, dressed as George Washington to reference to the American Revolution overthrowing British rule in 1776, claimed he "was in character" when the pair came face to face on Friday at the ceremonial weigh-in.

Shavkat Rakhmonov's stock continues to rise.

The Kazakh struggled to secure the takedown in round one but he wrapped both arms around the legs of Stephen Thompson early in round two and managed to drag him to the floor.

It was methodical from there, eventually moving to the back and forcing Thompson to tap for the first time in his career by sinking in a rear naked choke.

He moves to 6-0 in the UFC and has and 18-0 overall record with all 18 of his victories coming inside the distance - 10 by submission and eight by knockout.

Is Rakhmonov next in line for the title? Could he face the winner of Leon Edwards v Colby Covington?

The flyweight unification bout in Arizona is really starting to heat up, Rodriguez and Edwards both had massive moments at the end of round six.

Edwards has quite a bit of damage under both eyes as he returns to his corner.

You can hear full commentary of the contest by following this link.

Image source, Matchroom

Ariel Helwani posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Paddy giving Ferguson props and respect afterwards. The right move. Very humble and gracious in victory. Says he “blew his load” in the first and was surprised Ferguson survived the onslaught."

Image source, Getty Images

Leon Edwards became Britain's second UFC champion when he sent shockwaves through the promotion in August 2022.

Seven years after losing against Kamaru Usman, Edwards, who was trailing on all three of the judges' scorecards with less than a minute left of round five, earned revenge against the Nigerian.

And he did it in spectacular fashion, throwing a head kick and landing cleanly to send Usman straight down to the canvas.

Moments later, Edwards had the welterweight title wrapped around his waist as years of hard work finally came to fruition.

Edwards has since defended his belt after beating Usman in more dominant fashion by unanimous decision in London.

"I think once you become a champion it cements the confidence you had in yourself and your team," Edwards tells BBC Sport.

"I think that's what it is, my confidence has grown leaps and bounds. It all confirms it, what you're doing in the gym is right, the team you're with is right and everything you've been thinking over the years, that you're going be world champion, it confirms it all, so I feel that's the difference."

Welterweights Shavkat Rakhmonov and Stephen Thompson have just started their three round contest.

I'll keep you posted on how that plays out.

For now, let's dive into a bit of main event content, shall we?

Image source, Getty Images

Stephen Thompson has stepped into the UFC octagon on 19 occasions and has twice competed for a title.

Thompson fought to a draw with welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in 2016 and he lost the rematch by majority decision in 2017.

Many might suggest that the 40-year-old's hopes of wearing UFC gold are long gone, however, he is still a contender in the welterweight division and firmly believes he is capable of reaching the top.

He faces his toughest test in a long time tonight when he goes up against undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov, widely tipped to be a future champion.

If Thompson can find a way to land a first defeat on the man from Kazakhstan, then 2024 could offer up one final chance to achieve his dream.

"Competing for a title is always my goal. It's always number one in my mind," Thompson told BBC Sport.

"Fighting the best guys in the world is the inspiration for me, it almost sounds like an anime or something. It's cool to be able to look back and say 'I fought the best in the world'.

"The gold is always on my mind and that inspires me."

Image source, Getty Images

I spoke with Stephen Thompson in July just a few days before his bout with Michel Pereira was cancelled after the Brazilian weighed in three pounds over the welterweight limit.

Thompson, 40, was telling me about his love for Tenacious D, the band fronted by Jack Black. He had just recently been out to see them on tour and got the opportunity to join Black and bandmate Kyle Gass on stage when they performed hit song 'Wonderboy'.

"It was really cool to get out on stage with them while they were singing Wonderboy," Thompson said.

"It was an honour."

'Wonderboy' has been Thompson's nickname since he had his first fight aged 15, not related to Tenacious D initially, but it has become synonymous with his love of the band and he has walked out to that song since it was released in 2001.

Black, also a Hollywood star, was set to walk out with Thompson prior to his fight with Kevin Holland in December 2022 but the dates didn't match up in the end.

Well the stars appear to have aligned tonight, Tenacious D are at T-Mobile Arena.

Thompson has just made the walk to the octagon with Black and Gass, they weren't signing but that is a special moment and so deserved for MMA's nice guy!

Image source, Getty Images

In a fight week that has been dominated by Colby Covington's disgusting remarks about Leon Edwards' late father, who was murdered in London in 2004, it's light relief to see someone like Stephen Thompson on the card tonight.

Thompson made his debut in 2012 and despite being 40 years old he is still ranked number six in the welterweight division.

Since losing to Tyron Woodley in a welterweight title fight in 2017, Thompson's record is mixed - winning four and losing four.

'Wonderboy', who faces number five ranked welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov tonight, has long been a fan favourite and he has a reputation for being the 'nice guy of MMA.

"I think that's who I am," Thompson told BBC Sport.

"Sometimes my dad wonders where I get it from. I feel like I've been doing this for so long that I don't need to put myself in that mindset.

"Some people do. They need to have something wrong with their opponent to go out there and do damage to them, but not me. I look at it as just a competition."

READ MORE:'Beat them with kindness'

Image source, Getty Images

This final UFC card of the year is jam-packed with talent and intriguing contests, but it's missing one major character... Ian Garry.

The Irishman was scheduled to fight Vicente Luque as he attempted to take his undefeated record to 13.

However, Garry, 26, did not show up for his pre-fight media obligations on Wednesday, sparking speculation that something might be wrong.

UFC president Dana White confirmed later in the day that Garry, ranked number 10 in the welterweight division, had to pull out of the fight after contracting pneumonia.

"Ian Garry started with the flu that turned into pneumonia, so that fight is off," said White., external

Paddy Pimblett, speaking to Joe Rogan on TNT Sports: "An absolute legend. Everyone give a round of applause to Tony Ferguson. Legend. How did he survive that first round?"

On the wrestling: "That was part of the game plan. A couple of weeks ago I got my second degree black belt and I haven't shown much of my grappling. When I get on top of you, I'm like a blanket. You can't get me off."

On how he is feeling after fight: "You could see I won every round, you can't dispute that. I feel better. I'm still disappointed I didn't finish Tony, but I won every round."

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live

And off they go.

Remember there is live coverage of the flyweight unification bout between IBF champion Sunny Edwards and WBO title-holder Jesse Rodriguez.

Follow this link to hear how it plays out in Arizona.

Image source, Getty Images

Retired world champion Barry Jones: "I can see both being knocked down, but I think Bam will definitely knock Edwards down. It's hard to choose between them, but I may be leaning towards Bam. It's whoever can adapt will win the fight. You tend to think that would be Edwards because of his movement, but I just think Bam won't be deterred by anything he does."

Retired world champion Anthony Crolla: "I'm going for an upset. I think Bam is a brilliant fighter, but it worries me how heavy he blew up between fights. I think Edwards is the last fighter you want to be fighting when you cut loads of weight. It is such a tough one to call, but I'm going Edwards on points with a few shaky moments late on. It is that kind of fight where you wouldn't be surprised if Bam got to him either."

British super-featherweight Zelfa Barrett: "I think Edwards will win. I think he will out-box Bam and make Bam desperate to catch him, then Edwards will counter."

BBC Radio 5 Live

Boxing expert Steve Bunce is back on the road, this time in Arizona, for the flyweight unification bout between IBF champion Sunny Edwards and WBO champion Jesse Rodriguez.

Bunce spoke with both boxers ahead of the meeting and you can listen in to the full podcast here.

Barry Jones
Former WBO super-featherweight champion

Image source, Matchroom

Sunny Edwards against Jesse Rodriguez is the Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk fight of the flyweights.

Flyweights know they don't get the same exposure as the heavier divisions. The smaller weights, anywhere from featherweight down, really have to work for their money and their fans. That's how boxing is.

It might not have the glamour of a Fury-Usyk, but Edwards-Rodriguez is the flyweight equivalent.

Edwards and Rodriguez are clearly number one and number two, just like Fury and Usyk.

Whoever wins becomes the premier guy in the 8st division. For a single fight, the magnitude is huge.

What makes this such a compelling fight is we've got two guys at their peak. Stylistically it's a fight where both guys are so talented, but what they do so well might not work for the first time in their careers.

Read more of Barry Jones' column here.

All three judges have it 30-27.

A unanimous decision victory for Pimblett - he has won all five of his fights in the UFC.

Image source, Getty Images