UFC 296, Tips and Preview

We’re going back to the future this weekend when the Ultimate Fighting Championship closes out its 2023 season with an early Christmas feast of title fights and divisional blockbusters at UFC 296.

On Sunday, the welterweight title is certainly the main attraction as world champion Leon Edwards and two-time title challenger Colby Covington go head-to-head in Las Vegas.  

Edwards, who successfully retained the title with a major decision win over Kamaru Usman in March, is currently a $1.65 favourite with Bet Nation as he looks to improve his unbeaten run to 10 fights. The UFC superstar has been unstoppable since last going down to Usman in 2015, with his victories coming against the likes of former champion Nate Diaz.

Those in Rocky’s corner will note the kickboxing-based fighter has multiple weapons in his arsenal, with an incredible ability to strike, rounded out by his openness to clinch and punish opponents with elbows and knees.

As for the challenger, Covington comes into this title fight following a unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal in March. Before that, however, the 35-year-old dropped two close championship fights to Usman towards the end of 2019 and 2021.

While the market has Chaos as the $2.20 underdog, he will do his utmost to bring Edwards to the floor, with his 67 takedowns landing the second-highest of all-time among welterweights. He is a serious wrestler and pieces together more takedown attempts than most can handle.

Can Edwards fend off the onslaught of grappling pressure from Chaos? That will be the main question that will decide this fight, with the champ needing to punish his opponent with knees, kicks and elbows while trying to stay off the canvas.