UFC 296 | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Official – Leon Edwards set to defend title in UFC 296 headliner against Colby Covington in December

Leon Edwards set to fight Colby Covington at UFC 296 in December title clash Finally nailing down a date for their long-awaited grudge match, undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards is slated to headline UFC 296 against former interim division titleholder, Colby Covington. Taking main event honors at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 16. – undisputed welterweight kingpin, Edwards makes his return after snatching bragging rights […]

Finally nailing down a date for their long-awaited grudge match, undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards is slated to headline UFC 296 against former interim division titleholder, Colby Covington.

Taking main event honors at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 16. – undisputed welterweight kingpin, Edwards makes his return after snatching bragging rights in a March trilogy rubber match against common-foe, Kamaru Usman back in March.

As for Clovis native, Covington – the former interim titleholder returns for the first time since he settled a firey grudge match with former training partner, Jorge Masvidal back in March of last year in a shutout unanimous decision win.

Leon Edwards and Colby Covington headline UFC 296 in title grudge match

And as per UFC CEO, Dana White – Edwards and Covington, who have been on a distinct collision course since March, will now meet for the welterweight championship at UFC 296 atop the promotion’s final flagship event of the year.

Furthermore, UFC 296 also sees the addition of an exciting undisputed flyweight title fight between newly-minted champion, Alexandre Pantoja, and the surging contender, Brandon Royval – with that pairing set to take co-headlining status.

First winning welterweight gold with an earth-shattering fifth round high kick KO win over the aforenoted, Usman back in August of last year, Edwards would then turn in a close, majority decision win over the Auchi native in March atop a London pay-per-view card.

Himself snatching interim welterweight gold back in 2018, Covington defeated former undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos, before he was eventually stripped of the interim title due to inactivity.

Twice fighting common-opposition, Usman during his Octagon tenure, Covington first dropped a fifth round TKO loss to the Nigerian, before dropping a subsequent rematch decision loss to the Nigerian former pound-for-pound number one.

UFC 296 takes place on December 16. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – with Leon Edwards’ welterweight title defense against Colby Covington taking main event honors ahead of a flyweight title clash between champion, Alexandre Pantoja, and challenger, Brandon Royval.

Can Leon Edwards land another title defense in his December clash with Colby Covington?

Marlon Vera unsure UFC 296 title rematch with Sean O’Malley happens: ‘Now he’s backing out’

Marlon Vera has revealed he is currently preparing for the possibility of a bantamweigh title fight rematch with incumbent champion, Sean O’Malley at UFC 296 in December, however, has claimed the Montana native, who initially called for the title re-run is “backing out” of a championship showdown. Vera, who most recently featured on the main […]

Vera, who most recently featured on the main card of UFC 292 back in August – akin to newly-minted champion, O’Malley, turned in a close, unanimousd decision win over common-foe, Pedro Munhoz.

And in the time since, the Ecuadorian has been lined up as an ideal candidate to challenge for bantamweight spoils first and foremost by O’Malley – who handpicked the Chone native as a potential opponent.

Sharing a distinct history with Dana White’s Contender Series alum, O’Malley, Vera is the sole fighter to defeat the outspoken former during his professional career, handing him a first round TKO loss via a slew of late ground strikes in their 2020 grudge match at the UFC Apex facility.

Marlon Vera unsure if Sean O’Malley will rematch him at UFC 296 in December

And despite talking up the possibility of a rematch with Vera recently in a bid to avenge his sole career loss – which he claims he lost on purpose in order to set up a future re-run, O’Malley, as per Vera, is now “backing out” of a December fight.

“As of now, they [the UFC] haven’t said anything yet,” Marlon Vera told assembled media during a Q&A session ahead of Noche UFC. “I’m preparing as [if] I am fighting in December. You know, why not? I mean, the guy (Sean O’Malley) was talking about fighting and stuff like that. Now, he’s backing out. I guess when you’re champion, you can call the shots. So, let’s see what that b*tch wants to do.”

Winning undisputed title spoils atop the above-mentioned UFC 292 card last month, O’Malley ended the lengthy title reign of the dominant Aljamain Sterling with an early second round TKO in Boston, Massachusetts to mint himself as the undisputed bantamweight champion.

Do you want to see Sean O’Malley rematch Marlon Vera this year?

Leon Edwards waiting for offer to fight UFC foe Colby Covington before end of year: ‘He’s ready to go’

Undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards is apparently “ready to go” and defend his divisional crown before the year’s end against former interim champion, Colby Covington, however, is still waiting for an offer to cross his desk from the UFC. Edwards, the incumbent undisputed welterweight titleholder under the banner of the promotion, most recently headlined UFC […]

Edwards, the incumbent undisputed welterweight titleholder under the banner of the promotion, most recently headlined UFC 286 back in March in London, England – defeating former pound-for-pound number one and ex-champion, Kamaru Usman in the pair’s trilogy rubber match.

As for Covington, the outspoken Clovis native himself has been sidelined since early last year, on that occasion returning to the winner’s enclosure after a title challenge loss to Usman in the pair’s rematch, in a one-sided decision win over arch-rival and former training partner, Jorge Masvidal.

And whilst the pair have yet to officially book their respective Octagon returns against each other, reports have suggested all summer that the promotion would attempt to pair them at UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden, if not at UFC 296 in December in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Leon Edwards “ready” for end-of-year fight with Colby Covington

However, according to Leon Edwards’ manager, Tim Simpson, the Birmingham native is “ready” to fight Covington, but an offer has yet to be extended by the organization.

“It’ll be before the end of the year,” Tim Simpson told Submission Radio. “I guess the two cards left are November and December, and they’re finalizing those. Leon is good, he is ready to go, waiting for the call. From my understanding, Colby (Covington) is ready to go, as well. So it’ll be one of those two.”

At the time of publication, UFC 295 features a heavyweight championship fight headliner between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic in November, however, UFC 296 has yet to receive an official headlining clash – potentially leaving space for Edwards’ return grudge match with Covington.

Who wins between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington?

Dana White provides update on UFC return for Conor McGregor: ‘I expect to see him fighting next year’

UFC CEO, Dana White has revealed that he expects to see former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor competing under the promotion’s banner next year rather than this annum – despite calls from the Dubliner to headline UFC 296 on December 16. against Michael Chandler. McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of […]

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, most recently headlined UFC 264 back in July 2021, suffering a fractured tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in the pair’s trilogy rubber match.

And serving as an opposing coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31 earlier this year, McGregor, 35, took on the above-mentioned one-time lightweight title challenger, Chandler, with the duo floated as competing opposite each other at the welterweight limit at the end of the reality television series finale.

Conor McGregor expected to fight as soon as next year, per Dana White

However, touted as “sharp” and “ready” to make a return to the Octagon – as soon as December at UFC 296 in December, McGregor’s desire to compete at the final flagship event of the year for the promotion, won’t line up with UFC leader, White’s timeline.

“He’s (Conor McGregor) back in the gym, he’s training,” Dana White told Piers Morgan during a recent interview. “I expect to see Conor fighting next year.”

In the midst of a two-fight losing skid for the first time in his professional career, ex-two-weight champion, McGregor suffered his first-ever knockout loss in mixed martial arts competition back in January of 2021, dropping a second round stoppage loss to Poirier in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Welcoming a slew of fights in his return – including a potential BMF title fight with newly-minted champion, Justin Gaethje, Dublin native, McGregor recently took in multiple sparring sessions alongside undefeated welterweight contender, Ian Machado Garry.

Do you expect to see Conor McGregor compete in the UFC next year?

Conor McGregor backed to make UFC return in December: ‘He’s gonna be really sharp, ready for that fight’

Ramping up his training recently amid links to a potential end-of-year Octagon return at UFC 296 in December, Conor McGregor has been backed to look “sharp” and “ready” for a return to combat sports competition by teammate, Ciaran Clarke. McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, has yet […]

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, has yet to feature inside the Octagon since he headlined a pay-per-view event back in July 2021 in a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to arch-rival, Dustin Poirier, fracturing his left tibia and fibula in the first frame.

Sidelined in the time since, McGregor, who served as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31 earlier this year against lightweight veteran, Michael Chandler, has been linked with a welterweight fight against the one-time title challenger, however, has yet to book an official date or event for a monumental comeback.

And with the promotion’s reluctance to announce a headlining bout for their UFC 296 event on December 16. – which will come as their final flagship event of 2023, McGregor has welcomed the opportunity to headline the card against Kill Cliff FC staple, Chandler.

Gearing up for a return to fighting, McGregor, 35, was recently stopped training in Cannes, France, before returning to Dublin to take in multiple sparring sessions with fellow capital native, Ian Machado Garry.

Conor McGregor backed to make successful return to UFC in December

Receiving his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt earlier this month to boot, the former two-weight champion has been backed to look more than ready when he competes again, by Bellator MMA contender and SBG Ireland teammate, Clarke.

“He’s (Conor McGregor) sharp,” Ciaran Clarke told All Out Fighting during a recent interview. “He’s just after receiving the Jiu-Jitsu black belt, which is well deserved because his movement and everything. And like I said his mind, his mind for the game, he’s so sharp mentally.”

“And again, that was something that I learned from over there,” Clarke continued. “Resting when you need to, and giving 100 percent in every sessions. And as far as December, he’s gonna be really sharp, really ready for that fight [with Michael Chandler].” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Do you expect Conor McGregor to make a return to the Octagon at UFC 296?

Sean O’Malley claims he KO’d Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 292 last month: ‘I knocked out Aljo, they’re the same’

Incumbent undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has claimed his spectacular second round TKO win over Aljamain Sterling back in August in the main event of UFC 292, is as good as a stoppage victory against surging Georgian grappler, Merab Dvalishvili – maintaining they’re the exact same fighter. O’Malley, the undisputed bantamweight champion, headlined UFC 292 […]

O’Malley, the undisputed bantamweight champion, headlined UFC 292 in August in Boston, Massachusetts, defeating the defending Sterling with a massive second round win – finishing the Uniondale native with a slew of second round ground strikes after a prior knockdown in the same frame.

In turn, the Montana native has switched his focus to a title defense rematch with Ecuadorian finisher, Marlon Vera – in a bid to avenge a 2020 knockout loss to the division staple.

Sean O’Malley claims he already knocked out Merab Dvalishvili

And claiming he suffered his sole professional loss to Vera on purpose last week, in a bid to set up a title rematch in the future, O’Malley has now made the outlandish claim that his stoppage of Sterling – is as good as a knockout of Dvalishvili.

“I knocked out Merab (Dvalishvili) on August 19th, the same night I knocked out Aljo (Aljamain Sterling),” Sean O’Malley told MMA Fighting. “They’re the same, they hold hands, they’re the same person. I knocked them both out August 19th, so we’ll see what happens. I’ve called out the ‘Chito’ fight before me versus Aljo, before Pedro versus ‘Chito’.”

“I said, ‘Hey, ‘Chito’ goes out there and wins, I go out there and win, I’m fighting ‘Chito’ for my first title defense,’ And that’s what happened,” Sean O’Malley explained. That’s what’s going to happen next in my eyes. That’s what I want, but at the end of the day, I’ll go out there and knock out whoever they [the UFC] put in front of me.”

Tag: UFC 296