The UFC’s final event of 2023 is closing in. The promotion returns to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday for UFC 296’s championship doubleheader featuring Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington and Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval.
Tensions are high between UFC welterweight champion Edwards and challenger Covington in the aftermath of this week’s pre-fight press conference. Edwards makes the second defense of his title after coming out ahead in a trilogy against former champ Kamaru Usman. Covington fights for the first time in 21 months since rag-dolling Jorge Masvidal in a five-round main event.
New UFC flyweight champion Pantoja is coming off a Fight of the Year contender against Brandon Moreno, a fight he won via split decision. Royval enters Saturday on a three-fight winning streak and looks to avenge his last professional loss, a second-round submission to Pantoja.
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Two rising stars are also in action against talented veterans on the main card as Shavkat Rakhmonov faces off with Stephen Thompson in the welterweight division while the brash Paddy Pimblett takes on Tony Ferguson, who will be looking to snap a six-fight losing skid when the pair meet in a lightweight battle. Plus, a late addition to the main card when Ian Garry vs. Vicente Luque was canceled sees Bryce Mitchell take on Josh Emmett in a featherweight showdown.
Below is all the information you need to catch UFC 296 on Saturday night.
How to watch UFC 296 prelims
Date: Dec. 16 | Location: T-Mobile Arena — Las Vegas
Time: 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. ET for early prelims)
Channel: ESPN
How to watch UFC 296 main card
Date: Dec. 16 | Location: T-Mobile Arena — Las Vegas
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Stream: ESPN+ PPV | Price: $79.99
Now, here’s a look at the UFC 295 main fight card and betting odds.
UFC 296 main card, odds
| Favorite | Underdog | Weightclass |
|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards (c) -165 | Colby Covington +140 | Welterweight title |
| Alexandre Pantoja (c) -195 | Brandon Royval +165 | Flyweight title |
| Shavkat Rakhmonov -650 | Stephen Thompson +460 | Welterweights |
| Paddy Pimblett -330 | Tony Ferguson +260 | Lightweights |
| Bryce Mitchell -230 | Josh Emmett +190 | Featherweights |
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