'Clown' Covington In for a 'Total Shock': Leon Edwards' Bold Prediction for UFC 296"

UFC 296, is set to be a thrilling showdown as British champion Leon "Rocky" Edwards defends his welterweight title against American contender Colby "Chaos" Covington. This highly anticipated fight will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on December 16, 2023. Check out our prediction for Edwards vs. Covington. 

Leon Edwards, undefeated in the UFC since 2015, is aiming to make history by becoming the first Brit to successfully defend his title twice. Edwards holds an impressive record of successive victories over Kamaru Usman, earning him the welterweight title.

On the other side of the octagon, Colby Covington returns after his five-round victory over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272 in March 2022. Covington earned this third title shot by impressing Dana White when he weighed in as the backup fighter for Edwards' majority-decision victory against Usman at UFC 286.

Leon Edwards, the reigning UFC welterweight champion, hails from Birmingham, England. Known for his technical striking and well-rounded skill set, Edwards boasts an impressive professional record of 18 wins and only 3 losses1. His style is characterized by precise striking, excellent footwork, and a solid ground game.

Edwards has expressed his excitement about the upcoming fight and his eagerness to 'shut up' his rival Covington2. He has also referred to Covington as a ‘clown’, indicating that he believes Covington is in for a shock at UFC 2963.

On the other side of the octagon, we have Colby Covington, a former interim champion known for his relentless pressure and top-tier wrestling. Covington, originally from Clovis, California, has a professional record of 16 wins and 3 losses1. His fighting style is aggressive, often overwhelming his opponents with his pace and wrestling abilities.

Covington is equally confident about the upcoming bout. He has been vocal in his criticism of Edwards, even trashing his UFC title4. Despite recent controversies5, Covington remains focused on the fight and looks forward to claiming the welterweight title.

Leon Edwards is already known for his vitriolic comments against opponents. Covington has been particularly harsh on Edwards, questioning his intelligence and calling him a "waste of chromosomes."

Covington claims that the fight could have taken place sooner, but alleges Edwards wanted a break after his matches with Usman. He also accuses Edwards of being the "biggest cheater the sport’s ever known," alleging that he uses illegal maneuvers during fights.

In contrast, Edwards has referred to Covington as a 'clown' and believes his opponent will be 'in for a total shock' at UFC 296. If Covington wins this match, it will be his first successful title fight after two losses against former champion Usman.

The preliminary card of UFC 296 is expected to begin around 11:30 pm UK time, followed by the main card at 2 am, with the main event slated for around 5 am. The prelims will be broadcast live on the UFC Fight Pass, while the main card will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK.

The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will host this prestigious event. Known for hosting some of the biggest sporting events, the T-Mobile Arena will once again be filled with fervent fans, creating an electric atmosphere that only a UFC fight can bring.

The fight between Edwards and Covington is expected to be a closely contested battle. Both fighters have their strengths: Edwards with his striking and Covington with his wrestling. Their contrasting styles set the stage for a thrilling clash that could go either way.

In terms of betting odds, Edwards heads into this fight as a slight favourite to retain his title. On the undercard, Paddy Pimblett is heavily favoured to win.

For those unable to make it to Las Vegas, ESPN will be broadcasting the event live, including both the main card and prelims4. Fans can also stream the entire event on ESPN+ PPV, ensuring that no matter where you are, you won't miss out on this epic showdown.

For those eager to witness this clash live, tickets are available on the UFC's official website and other authorized ticket sellers. 

In addition to the main event, UFC 296 will feature other exciting fights. One such bout includes Bryce Mitchell stepping in to face Josh Emmett on short notice, adding another layer of excitement to the night. Here's the full fight card for UFC 296:

• Welterweight Title Bout: Leon Edwards (c) vs. Colby Covington;
• Flyweight Title Bout: Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Brandon Royval;
• Welterweight Bout: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson;
• Lightweight Bout: Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett;
• Welterweight Bout: Vicente Luque vs. Ian Machado Garry

• Featherweight Bout: Josh Emmett vs. Bryce Mitchell;
• Women's Bantamweight Bout: Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa;
• Bantamweight Bout: Cody Garbrandt vs. Brian Kelleher;
• Women's Flyweight Bout: Casey O'Neill vs. Ariane Lipski

• Light Heavyweight Bout: Alonzo Menifield vs. Dustin Jacoby;
• Flyweight Bout: Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Cody Durden;
• Featherweight Bout: Andre Fili vs. Lucas Almeida;
• Heavyweight Bout: Martin Buday vs. Shamil Gaziev;
• Welterweight Bout: Randy Brown vs. Muslim Salikhov