Don’t miss the high-stakes clash between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington at UFC 296. Get all the details, fight analysis, and live updates from the event. Watch it live on ESPN+ PPV.
| Event | UFC 296 |
|---|---|
| Main Event | Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington |
| Co-Main Event | Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval |
| Lightweight Bout | Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson |
| Welterweight Bout | Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov |
The highly anticipated UFC 296 event is set to take place at T-Mobile Arena, featuring an intense showdown between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington. This clash has been fueled by a heated rivalry and personal attacks, making it a must-watch event for fight fans. Alexandre Pantoja will defend his UFC flyweight title against Brandon Royval, while Paddy Pimblett takes on Tony Ferguson in a critical lightweight bout. Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson aims to halt the meteoric rise of Shavkat Rakhmonov in the welterweight division.
UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington
LAS VEGAS — The highly anticipated UFC 296 event is set to take place at T-Mobile Arena, featuring an intense showdown between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington. This clash has been fueled by a heated rivalry and personal attacks, making it a must-watch event for fight fans.
The prefight news conference escalated tensions to new heights when Covington brought up Edwards’ tragic past. Edwards lost his father to a devastating tragedy during his teenage years. Covington’s insensitive remarks about Edwards’ father ignited a fiery response from Edwards, who hurled a bottle of water at his opponent. Security had to intervene to prevent further escalation.
Edwards, the reigning UFC welterweight champion, is riding a wave of success. He recently claimed four prestigious trophies at the Fighters Only World MMA Awards, including the coveted Fighter of the Year title. ESPN ranks Edwards as the fourth-best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s elite.
With an impressive record of 21 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no contest, Edwards is currently on a remarkable 12-fight win streak dating back to 2015. This streak is the second-longest in welterweight history, tied with the legendary Georges St-Pierre. Edwards has defeated notable opponents such as Kamaru Usman, Nate Diaz, Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone, and Rafael dos Anjos.
Covington, a former UFC interim welterweight champion, has been eagerly awaiting his chance to dethrone Edwards. His last fight was a unanimous decision victory over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272 in March 2022. Covington has only suffered one defeat since 2015, and that was at the hands of Usman. The 35-year-old Californian is known for his relentless style and determination.
In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja will defend his UFC flyweight title against Brandon Royval. Pantoja, who currently holds a record of 26 wins and 5 losses, is on a three-fight winning streak. He captured the belt from Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 in July. Royval, with a record of 15 wins and 6 losses, will be seeking redemption after his previous loss to Pantoja in 2021.
Another highly anticipated bout on the card is the lightweight clash between rising star Paddy Pimblett and seasoned veteran Tony Ferguson. Pimblett, known for his explosive style, will face a tough challenge in Ferguson, who has established himself as one of the division’s most formidable fighters.
Additionally, welterweight stalwart Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson will aim to halt the meteoric rise of Shavkat Rakhmonov, a promising bluechipper in the division.
Stay tuned as Marc Raimondi, Jeff Wagenheim, and Dre Waters provide live updates and analysis of all the action. Alternatively, you can catch the fights live on ESPN+ PPV.
