LAS VEGAS, NV – UFC 296 unfolds Saturday evening at the T-Mobile Arena. The main event features an electrifying welterweight showdown between the reigning champion Leon Edwards and former interim champion Colby Covington.Edwards, the Welterweight champion, fighting out of Birmingham, England, seeks to further solidify his status as one of the UFC’s best. The first Jamaican-born UFC champion and currently ranked No. 4 in the pound-for-pound standings, Edwards boasts an impressive record with notable victories over Kamaru Usman, Nate Diaz, and Rafael Dos Anjos.Covington, fighting out of Miami, is determined to prove he deserves the undisputed title. Currently holding the No. 3 spot in the welterweight division, Covington brings an aggressive fighting style and notable wins over Jorge Masvidal, Tyron Woodley, and Robbie Lawler.In the co-main event, Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, defends his title for the first time against the No. 4 contender Brandon Royval. Pantoja aims to continue his dominance in the division with his impressive submission and knockout skills. Royval, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, looks to secure a statement win and avenge a previous defeat.The action-packed fight card also includes thrilling matchups such as the welterweight clash between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Stephen Thompson, a showdown between Tony Ferguson and Paddy Pimblett, and Bryce Mitchell steps in on short notice to face Josh Emmett to kick off the main card.
The prelims feature a battle of ranked light heavyweights as No. 14 Alonzo Menifield and No. 15 Dustin Jacoby throwdown. Top 10 bantamweights collide as No. 5 Irene Aldana looks to bounce back when she faces No. 9 Karol Rosa. Fan favorites Cody Garbrandt and Brian Kelleher face off in a bantamweight tilt. The prelims begin with a flyweight scrap between No. 12 Casey O’Neill and Ariane Lipski.
The night begins in the heavyweight division as No. 15 Martin Buday takes on Shamil Gaziev. Andre Fili takes on Lucas Almeida at featherweight. The early prelim feature bout sees a battle of ranked flyweights as No. 12 Tagir Ulanbekov faces No. 15 Cody Durden.
Early prelims start at 5:30PM CDT on UFC Fight Pass. Action then shifts to ESPN2 and ESPN+ at 7:00PM followed by the pay-per-view main card at 9:00PM on ESPN+ PPV.
