The UFC’s early plans for 2024 included announcing title fights for the year’s first three PPV events, and UFC 299 will feature a rematch between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera for O’Malley’s bantamweight belt at the top of the card. Subscribe to watch UFC 296 LIVE
An important women’s flyweight bout between Katlyn Chookagian and Maycee Barber was also previously confirmed for the event, and MMA Fighting reports that a huge heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Jailton Almeida has now been rebooked for UFC 299.
When is UFC 296
10 p.m. ET: ESPN+ PPV Main Event
8 p.m.: Prelims (ESPN+, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes & SiriusXM Fight Nation 156)
6:30 p.m.: Early Prelims (ESPN+ & SiriusXM Fight Nation 156)
The heavyweight clash is a major addition to UFC 299, and the event page on UFC.com has also been updated to include a lightweight matchup between former champion Rafael dos Anjos and top contender Mateusz Gamrot.
How to watch UFC 296 free stream in the USA
UFC PPV action returns this weekend live from Las Vegas with UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington. The final UFC event of 2023 will be live from T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 10 p.m. ET, exclusively on ESPN+ PPV (English and Spanish). The Prelims will be available on ESPN+, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and SiriusXM Fight Nation 156 starting at 8 p.m. The Early Prelims will be available on ESPN+ and SiriusXM Fight Nation 156 starting at 6:30 p.m. ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will also join the Early Prelims beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Main Event
- Welterweight champion Leon Edwards steps into the Octagon with former interim titleholder and current No. 3 contender Colby Covington in an electrifying main event between heated rivals. Edwards (21-3) sets out to defend his title once again and cement himself as one of the UFC’s best. Covington (17-3) plans to show the world he deserves to be the undisputed UFC welterweight champion and add to his three first-round finishes.
Co-Main Event
- In the co-main event, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defends his title for the first time against No. 2 Brandon Royval in a high-stakes flyweight rematch where both fighters aim to add to their 10 first-round finishes. Pantoja (26-5) looks to deliver another win over Royval and build upon his legacy, while Royval (15-6) intends to not let history repeat itself.
Additional PPV Card Highlights
- 5 ranked welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov (17-0) intends to remain unbeaten and extend his perfect 100-percent finish rate (all 17 wins by stoppage) in a thrilling tilt with fan-favorite and 2-time UFC title challenger, No. 6 Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (17-6-1).
- In a high-stakes lightweight showdown, former interim UFC champion and winner of The Ultimate Fighter 13 Tony Ferguson (25-9) takes on Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett (20-3) and his perfect 4-0 UFC record.
UFC Welterweight Champion Leon “Rocky” Edwards (21-3, 1 NC) vs. Colby “Chaos” Covington (17-3)
Colby Covington is once again challenging for the undisputed welterweight title, probably because the promotion doesn’t think it can sell Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad and that’s what makes prize fighting different than sports. In sports, wins and losses get you to the finals, regardless of bankability, whereas prize fighting is all about who can generate the biggest prize. Outside of “Remember the Name,” there’s a lot to be excited about in the 170-pound weight class with Shavkat Rakhmonov, Ian Garry, and Jack Della Maddalena slowly working their way up the welterweight ranks.
The most impressive thing Covington has done during his rise to the No. 3 spot in the welterweight rankings is lose to Kamaru Usman (twice). I’m not putting much stock in a wrestling clinic against Jorge Masvidal, who’s been taken down 17 times across his last four fights. In addition, the “Gamebred” victory was all the way back in March 2022 and coming into the UFC 296 headliner, “Chaos” has zero wins over anyone currently ranked in the welterweight Top 15. For a fighter who turns 36 in just a few weeks, there isn’t much of a case to be made for his ascension to the 170-pound throne. He has great wrestling and championship conditioning, which has gotten him far in MMA, but is it enough to overthrow Edwards?
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