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The welterweight division headlines UFC 296 when Leon Edwards defends the UFC welterweight title against Colby Covington on December 16. In Las Vegas, the fight airs on ESPN+ PPV in the U.S.
Born in Jamaica and raised in Birmingham, England, Edwards (21–3 (1 NC)) ended a long journey when he beat Kamaru Usman in 2022 for the UFC welterweight title, landing a head kick out of nowhere following inspiring words from his coach. In front of family and friends in March, he beat Usman in a rematch. By defeating the man Covington couldn’t in two attempts, Edwards believes the controversial contender will be no match for him on fight night.
“He’s always playing a character, and some of the s--- he’s coming out and saying just doesn’t make sense to me,” Edwards told UFC Europe via MMA Junkie. “He’s like, I’ll come back for the war that happened in America. I was like, ‘Mate, I don’t even know what you’re on about. I think that guy is a clown. But I am focused on going out there, taking him out, defending my belt for a second time, just carrying on my journey. He’s just another guy that’s in my way, and I’m going to take him out.”
An All-American wrestler and a two-time PAC-10 Championships gold medalist, Covington (17-3) is a former interim UFC welterweight champion. “Chaos” lost against Usman for the title and is 2-2 in his last four fights. Still, Covington remains the top contender for Edwards’ belt. Heading into fight fight, Covington continues his gimmick of wild insults, this time calling Edwards a cheater. He talked about his concerns heading into the fight, including watching out for eye pokes, which ended a fight against Belal Muhammad in 2021.
WATCH: UFC 296: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington, exclusively on ESPN+
“As a fighter, Leon Scott is the biggest cheater the sport’s ever known,” Covington told All Out Fighting via MMA Fighting. “I thought ‘Marty’ [Kamaru] Usman was a cheater. Man, this guy makes ‘Marty’ look like a fricken saint. Leon is a cheater. He’s poking people in the eyes, kicking people in the nuts, grabbing the fence. I mean, the guy’s the biggest cheater the sport’s ever seen, and that’s the only way I was able to prepare for him. Just prepare for all the cheating he’s gonna do.”
Outside the main event, a rematch for a title co-main events UFC 296, while young stars look to become top contenders. Here’s a breakdown of the entire UFC 296 main card.
UFC 296 undercard
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval 2
- Division/Weight: Flyweight
- Pantoja record: 26-5
- Royval record: 15-6
- Belts at stake: UFC flyweight title
The co-main event sees Alexandre Pantoja defend the UFC flyweight title against Brandon Royval.
Pantoja (26-5) turned pro in 2007. The Brazilian joined the Tournament of Champions edition of The Ultimate Fighter in 2016. He went 2-1, losing the semi-finals but still earned a contract. "The Cannibal" is 10-3 with the promotion and is on a four-fight win streak, with a win against Royval in 2021. In his last fight in July, Pantoja beat Brandon Moreno to become the flyweight champion.
Royval turned pro in 2012. "Raw Dawg" is a former LFA flyweight champion. He joined the UFC in 2020 and is 5-2 with the promotion. After losing against Pantoja, he has gone on a three-fight win streak, his last contest being a knockout win in April against Matheus Nicolau.
MORE: Ranked: The 25 best MMA fighters under the age of 25
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Rakhmonov record: 17-0
- Thompson record: 17-6-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Also on the card is Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson.
Rakhmonov (17-0) turned pro in 2014. The former KZMMAF and M-1 welterweight champion joined the UFC in 2021 and is 5-0 in the octagon. All of the Kazakh's fights have ended via some form of finish, his last contest being a submission win against Geoff Neal in March. He is ranked fifth in the welterweight rankings.
Thompson (17-6-1) is a former kickboxer and a W.A.K.O. World Amateur Championships gold medalist. “Wonderboy” turned pro in 2010 and joined the UFC in 2012. He is 12-6-1 in the octagon, and after failing to capture the welterweight title from Tyron Woodley from 2016-2017, he has gone 4-4. Thompson's two-fight losing streak got snapped when he beat Kevin Holland in December 2022. The 40-year-old was going to fight Michel Pereira in July, but Pereira missed weight, and their fight got scrapped shortly after.
Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- Ferguson record: 25-9
- Pimblett record: 20-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
In a fight featuring two unique personalities, Tony Ferguson faces Paddy Pimblett.
MORE: What's next for Francis Ngannou following Tyson Fury fight?
Ferguson (25-9) made his pro debut in 2008. The Ultimate Fighter 13 winner went on a twelve-fight win streak from 2013-2019 that saw him become the interim UFC lightweight champion. His streak ended in a fight against Justin Gaethje in 2020. Counting that contest, Ferguson is on a six-fight losing streak. In his last three fights, Michael Chandler beat him via a front-kick, Nate Diaz submitted him in a last-minute affair, and Bobby Green stopped him in July.
Pimblett (20-3) turned pro in 2012. The Liverpool-born fighter is a former Cage Warriors featherweight champion. He joined the UFC in 2021 and is 4-0 with the promotion. "The Baddy" last fought in December 2022, beating Jared Gordon via what many called a controversial unanimous decision score. During the fight, he suffered an ankle injury, which required surgery.
* Vicente Luque vs. Ian Machado Garry *
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Luque record: 22-9-1
- Garry record: 13-0
- Belts at stake: N/A
Vicente Luque vs. Ian Machado Garry was scrapped after Garry came down pneumonia.
Luque (22-9-1) turned pro in 2009. "The Silent Assassin" competed on The Ultimate Fighter in 2015, losing in the semi-finals. He is 15-5 in the octagon, beating Belal Muhammad, Mike Perry, Tyron Woodley, and Rafael dos Anjos. The 32-year-old ended a two-fight losing streak, including a rematch loss against contender Muhammad, by beating dos Anjos in August.
Garry (13-0) got into combat sports thanks to fellow Irish star Conor McGregor. A former Cage Warriors welterweight champion, Garry joined the UFC in 2021 and is 6-0 in the octagon. He has won three fights in 2023, beating Neil Magny in his last contest in August.
When is UFC 296: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington?
The early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET, with the prelims at 8 p.m. ET. The main card is at 10 p.m. ET. Edwards and Covington should make their way to the octagon around 12:15 a.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
| Region | Date | Early Prelims Start Time | Prelims Start Time | Main Card Start Time | Main Event Ring Walks (approx.) |
| USA and Canada (ET) | Saturday, December 16 | 6 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. ET | 10 p.m. ET | 12:15 a.m. ET |
| USA and Canada (PT) | Saturday, December 16 | 3 p.m. PT | 5 p.m. PT | 7 p.m. PT | 9:15 p.m. PT |
| UK and Ireland | Sunday, December 17 | 11 p.m. GMT | 1 a.m. GMT | 3 a.m. GMT | 5:15 a.m. GMT |
| Australia | Sunday, December 17 | 10 a.m. AEDT | 12 p.m. AEDT | 2 p.m. AEDT | 4:15 p.m. AEDT |
WATCH: UFC 296: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington, exclusively on ESPN+
How to watch UFC 296: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington
| Country | Date | Channel + Live Stream (main card) |
| United States | Saturday, December 16 | ESPN+, ESPN PPV |
| Canada | Saturday, December 16 | BELL, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus, Eastlink, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass |
| United Kingdom | Sunday, December 17 | TNT Sports, TNT Sports Box Office |
| Australia | Sunday, December 17 | Main Event, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass |
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Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington PPV price: How much does UFC 296 cost?
In the U.S., the UFC 296 main card is available via pay-per-view on ESPN+, which also requires a subscription. The PPV price for UFC 296 is $79.99 for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $134.98 for the UFC 296 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription, which offers savings of more than 30 percent.
In the UK, the main card is on TNT Sports Box Office and will cost £19.99.
| Product | Prices |
|---|---|
| ESPN+ Monthly Subscription | $10.99/mo |
| ESPN+ Annual Subscription | $109.99/yr |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported | $14.99/mo |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads | $24.99/mo |
| UFC PPV Standalone | $79.99 each |
| UFC PPV Package (UFC PPV & ESPN+ Annual) | $134.98, then $109.99/year |
| UFC PPV & The Disney Bundle |
$79.99, then $14.99/mo |
Click here to learn about the different pricing and bundling options with the ESPN+ platform.
UFC 296 fight card
Main card
- Leon Edwards (c) vs. Colby Covington for the UFC welterweight title
- Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Brandon Royval 2 for the UFC flyweight title
- Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson; Welterweights
- Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett; Lightweights
- Josh Emmet vs. Bryce Mitchell; Featherweights
Prelims
- Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa; Bantamweights
- Cody Garbrandt vs. Brian Kelleher; Bantamweights
- Casey O'Neill vs. Ariane Lipski; Flyweights
- Alonzo Menifield vs. Dustin Jacoby; Light Heavyweights
Early Prelims
- Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Cody Durden; Flyweights
- Andre Fili vs. Lucas Almeida; Featherweights
- Martin Buday vs. Shamil Gaziev; Heavyweights