Topic: UFC 296
UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington
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- Saturday 12.16.2023 at 06:30 PM ET
- U.S. Broadcast: Pay Per View | Prelims: ESPN
- Promotion: Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Ownership: Endeavor
- Venue: T-Mobile Arena
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
- Enclosure: Octagon
- TV Announcers: Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, Daniel Cormier
- Ring Announcer: Bruce Buffer
- Post-Fight Interviews: Joe Rogan
- Ticket Revenue (live gate): $9,300,000
- Attendance: 19,039
- MMA Bouts: 12
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Promotion Links:
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Event Links:
| Bout | Info | |
|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards defeats Colby Covington via Decision, Unanimous | 5 Rounds, 25:00 Total Bout Page | |
| Alexandre Pantoja defeats Brandon Royval via Decision, Unanimous | 5 Rounds, 25:00 Total Bout Page | |
| Shavkat Rakhmonov defeats Stephen Thompson via Submission, Rear Naked Choke | 4:56 Round 2 of 3, 9:56 Total Bout Page | |
| Paddy Pimblett defeats Tony Ferguson via Decision, Unanimous | 3 Rounds, 15:00 Total Bout Page | |
| Josh Emmett defeats Bryce Mitchell via KO/TKO, Overhand Right | 1:57 Round 1 of 3 Bout Page | |
| Alonzo Menifield defeats Dustin Jacoby via Decision, Unanimous | 3 Rounds, 15:00 Total Bout Page | |
| Irene Aldana defeats Karol Rosa via Decision, Unanimous | 3 Rounds, 15:00 Total Bout Page | |
| Cody Garbrandt defeats Brian Kelleher via KO/TKO, Counter Right | 3:42 Round 1 of 3 Bout Page | |
| Ariane Lipski defeats Casey O'Neill via Submission, Armbar | 1:18 Round 2 of 3, 6:18 Total Bout Page | |
| Tagir Ulanbekov defeats Cody Durden via Submission, Rear Naked Choke | 4:25 Round 2 of 3, 9:25 Total Bout Page | |
| Andre Fili defeats Lucas Almeida via KO/TKO, Right Hook to Ground Strikes | 3:32 Round 1 of 3 Bout Page | |
| Shamil Gaziev defeats Martin Buday via KO/TKO, Elbows and Punches (standing TKO) | 0:56 Round 2 of 3, 5:56 Total Bout Page |
Responses Page 37
12.16.2023 | 4:01 PM ET
Prediction Comments
Predictions: 7 of 12 Winners, 2 Perfect, 400 Points | Tied for 4379th
Colby Covington, DEC
gonna hedge here and just pick colby to salvage what could become a sad night for the sport. plus i need an underdog because i still feel dirty from last week.
Pantoja vs. Royval II
Alexandre Pantoja, DEC
rematch aside, i believe pantoja isn't a good matchup for royval because he's a better scrambler and can make brandon pay for his attempts to transition.
Rakhmonov vs. Thompson
Shavkat Rakhmonov, DEC
gotta respect wonderboy for taking the fight nobody wants to try and get his last shot, but it does seem like a bad stylistic matchup. xfactor will be shavkat's r1 aggression level and how much gas he uses trying to finish early. i'll say it sees scorecards.
Ferguson vs. Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett, DEC
envisioning a competitive first round or two until tony starts to slow and gets clipped by something wide and round and starts to fatigue. paddy fades too but pushes forward.
Emmett vs. Mitchell
Bryce Mitchell, DEC
maybe emmett's wrestling can force bryce to stay standing and he'll land the harder shots, but i'm kinda expecting bryce's activity to stifle budget hendo a bit.
Menifield vs. Jacoby
Dustin Jacoby, DEC
alonzo has the puncher's chance, but i think jacoby's range management and kick game can get him through the early storm.
Aldana vs. Rosa
Irene Aldana, TKO, R2
feeling like irene can stay mobile and get up if taken down. could see a safe decision, but her last 3 wins are via ko so i'll go with that.
Garbrandt vs. Kelleher
Cody Garbrandt, DEC
maybe we see another dogfight where cody gets dropped, but i'm not sure i see brian coming in to force it and a cleaner fight probably favors cody.
O'Neill vs. Lipski
Casey O'Neill, TKO, R3
lipski's last 3 losses are via strikes against [probably] lesser fighters and casey's gnp is potent enough if she can obtain consistent top control.
Ulanbekov vs. Durden
Tagir Ulanbekov, DEC
whoever ends up on top. tagir won't be as eager as hadley to be on his back. cody is gonna need to really up the striking volume if the wrestling neutralizes each other.
Fili vs. Almeida
Andre Fili, DEC
almeida has 100% finish rate and lost the only decision he's been to, i'll say fili can avoid the big shot but i really wouldn't be too surprised if it does land.
Gaziev vs. Buday
Martin Buday, DEC
was gonna take a chance on gaziev because finishing stosic and beating kornilov seem relevant, but i'll say buday can slow it down and drag it out to see scorecards.
12.16.2023 | 4:04 PM ET
Predictions: 8 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 515 Points | Tied for 2223rd
"Grammar. The difference between knowing your **** and knowing you're ****."
12.16.2023 | 4:10 PM ET
Predictions: 7 of 12 Winners, 2 Perfect, 455 Points | Tied for 3423rd
12.16.2023 | 4:13 PM ET
Salikhov vs Luque
Predictions: 10 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 615 Points | Tied for 541st
12.16.2023 | 4:16 PM ET
Tonight losers
Predictions: 7 of 12 Winners, 1 Perfect, 400 Points | Tied for 4379th
"Quack quack quack"
12.16.2023 | 4:38 PM ET
Predictions: 9 of 12 Winners, 4 Perfect, 615 Points | Tied for 563rd
12.16.2023 | 5:15 PM ET
Resilient New Predictions
Predictions: 8 of 12 Winners, 4 Perfect, 500 Points | Tied for 2565th
I have a crush on Bryce Mitchell at -225. He has a wacky omoplata. Mitchell is about to coach the canvas.
Edwards vs. Covington
I am taking Leon Edwards at -160. He has a trendy tai otoshi. Edwards should blast the performance. Beep boop!
Garbrandt vs. Kelleher
I love Cody Garbrandt at -190. He has a strong double leg. Garbrandt won't captivate the victory.
Aldana vs. Rosa
I adopt Irene Aldana at -185. She has a kosher approach. Aldana should nationalize the humiliating defeat.
Rakhmonov vs. Thompson
I am with Shavkat Rakhmonov at -650. He has a uppity mounted elbow drop. Rakhmonov might weaken the achievement.
O'Neill vs. Lipski
I am enamored with Casey O'Neill at -190. She has a xerophthalmic liver kick and an eccentric training style. O'Neill is gonna mislead the cutman. No doubt!
Menifield vs. Jacoby
I favor Dustin Jacoby at -270. He has a hedonistic leg kick and a villainous spinning back elbow. Jacoby might victimize the counteragent.
Ferguson vs. Pimblett
I predict Paddy Pimblett at -300. He has a woebegone uppercut. Pimblett isn't about to wrestle the counteragent.
Pantoja vs. Royval II
I am taking Alexandre Pantoja at -190. He has a cybernetic suplex. Pantoja must wrestle the underdog.
Ulanbekov vs. Durden
I feel disposed to Tagir Ulanbekov at -175. He has a zippy suplex. Ulanbekov won't elevate the canvas.
Fili vs. Almeida
I take Andre Fili at -170. He has an excellent stutter step and a killer level change. Fili is about to screw the deed.
Gaziev vs. Buday
I have got Martin Buday at -135. He has a wretched kneebar and a woebegone triangle choke. Buday will climb the opposition.
"This is the droid you're looking for."
12.16.2023 | 5:22 PM ET
Prediction Comments
Predictions: 9 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 580 Points | Tied for 1002nd
Leon Edwards, DEC
51-16
Pantoja vs. Royval II
Alexandre Pantoja, SUB, R3
61-6
Rakhmonov vs. Thompson
Shavkat Rakhmonov, SUB, R2
67-2
Ferguson vs. Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett, SUB, R3
58-8
Emmett vs. Mitchell
Bryce Mitchell, DEC
49-17
Menifield vs. Jacoby
Dustin Jacoby, TKO, R3
58-5, 36
Aldana vs. Rosa
Irene Aldana, DEC
56-6
Garbrandt vs. Kelleher
Cody Garbrandt, TKO
59-8, 32
O'Neill vs. Lipski
Casey O'Neill, DEC
59-5
Ulanbekov vs. Durden
Tagir Ulanbekov, DEC
45-20
Fili vs. Almeida
Andre Fili, DEC
57-6
Gaziev vs. Buday
Shamil Gaziev, TKO, R1
38-26
12.16.2023 | 5:39 PM ET
Predictions: 7 of 12 Winners, 4 Perfect, 515 Points | Tied for 2318th
"Why be a sheep when u can be a wolf"
12.16.2023 | 5:50 PM ET
Prediction Comments
Predictions: 7 of 12 Winners, 4 Perfect, 515 Points | Tied for 2318th
Leon Edwards, TKO, R2
While Colby's pace and aggression pose some problems for Leon, his inactivity and long layoff doesn't inspire confidence. There is a clear gap in the striking and I think Colby is going to get chewed up at range and punished in the clinch when he tries to close the distance. Similar to his last fight, Leon needs to hold his ground and not back himself up to the cage.
Pantoja vs. Royval II
Brandon Royval, TKO, R3
Kind of going with my heart here, and my gut tells me there's an upset here. Despite his loss, I do think Royval had some good looks in their first match up. Pantoja is super durable and one of the best back takers in the UFC, so I would not be surprised to see another RNC finish for Pantoja here. But, Royval has a long frame for 125 and carries some good power, too. His striking is pretty unorthodox and he has exceptional cardio. He needs to stay out of the clinch and off the cage at all costs here. Pantoja likes to load up on multiple right hands in a row so a knee down the pipe could be money for Royval.
Rakhmonov vs. Thompson
Shavkat Rakhmonov, SUB, R2
Rakhmonov hasn't looked unbeatable to me, but I highly doubt Wonderboy is the one to do it. He's old and noticeably slowing down. Belal and Burns found a lot of success pressuring Wonderboy against the cage- I think it'll be similar here, with Shavkhat probably chasing the takedown a little less aggressively. I think he finds the finish on the ground though. Ending up in bottom position to Kevin Holland (who didn't even want to be on the ground) is not a great sign for Wonderboy.
Ferguson vs. Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett, DEC
Hopefully the D'arce knight rises one last time. Ferguson has just looked completely shot, though. He's probably completely overtrained from his camp with David ******* Goggins - what's left of his athleticism is probably just gone now. I don't rate Paddy but I just think Tony is too far gone.
Emmett vs. Mitchell
Bryce Mitchell, DEC
I take Mitchell here despite the short-notice. Emmett's wrestling in MMA is overrated imo. He's coming off a bad beating and is almost 40. Would love to see a knockout from him here but I just think Mitchell is going to suffocate him with his wrestling.
Menifield vs. Jacoby
Dustin Jacoby, TKO, R2
Jacoby is the more skilled striker imo.
Garbrandt vs. Kelleher
Cody Garbrandt, TKO, R1
If Garbrandt loses this he's as washed as can be
12.16.2023 | 6:08 PM ET
Predictions: 9 of 12 Winners, 4 Perfect, 600 Points | Tied for 765th
Good luck guys, this should be fun!
12.16.2023 | 6:09 PM ET
Predictions: 9 of 12 Winners, 4 Perfect, 600 Points | Tied for 765th
12.16.2023 | 6:11 PM ET
Prediction Comments
Predictions: 10 of 12 Winners, 5 Perfect, 690 Points | Tied for 108th
Leon Edwards, DEC
I can't trust Colby at his age after that long layoff. Leon stuffs the takedowns and outpoints him
Pantoja vs. Royval II
Alexandre Pantoja, DEC
Their last fight was fought at an INSANE pace. This one should be fireworks and can go either way. FOTN
Rakhmonov vs. Thompson
Shavkat Rakhmonov, TKO, R3
These odds are WAY too much. Wonderboy may be 40, but he can still throw hands with the best of them. Shavkat uses his wrestling and gets the GnP finish
Ferguson vs. Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett, SUB, R1
Ferguson is washed and Paddy is a legitimate top 25 fighter in the division
Emmett vs. Mitchell
Bryce Mitchell, DEC
Mitchell outwrestles and smothers Emmett for 3 rounds
Menifield vs. Jacoby
Dustin Jacoby, TKO, R2
These two are going to stand and trade and Jacoby's kickboxing is elite. I can't trust someone who lost to William Knight
Aldana vs. Rosa
Irene Aldana, DEC
Bounceback fight for Aldana after her title fight loss
Garbrandt vs. Kelleher
Cody Garbrandt, TKO, R1
Good matchmaking for Cody to get back on track. Kelleher is 37 now and that makes his chin suspect
O'Neill vs. Lipski
Ariane Lipski, DEC
Lipski has looked solid lately. Going with recency bias and taking the dog here
Ulanbekov vs. Durden
Tagir Ulanbekov, SUB, R2
Whoever shoots first takes it. Durden is on a hot streak, but if Tagir gets on top he could submit him.
Fili vs. Almeida
Andre Fili, DEC
Fili wrestles his way to a decision. If he chooses to stand he might get flatlined. Don't bet on this one.
Gaziev vs. Buday
Shamil Gaziev, TKO, R1
Buday has fought nothing but cans. Gaziev will be his toughest opponent yet. He's dangerous, especially early on in the fight.
* Edited at 12.16.2023, 6:21 PM ET *
"My balls was hot"
12.16.2023 | 6:21 PM ET
Predictions: 8 of 12 Winners, 4 Perfect, 555 Points | Tied for 1509th
I messed up. How do I put all my picks to show in the image ?
* Edited at 12.16.2023, 6:22 PM ET *
"This is a rat race...but Iâm not a rat. Iâm a f*ckinâ turtle, ninja turtle. So which one is your favorite? I like Michelangelo....next question - Tony Ferguson"
12.16.2023 | 6:31 PM ET
Predictions: 9 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 595 Points | Tied for 812th
"Ohhhh heâs hurt!!!"
12.16.2023 | 6:31 PM ET
Predictions: 8 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 515 Points | Tied for 2223rd
"you dont need religion to have morals. if you can't tell right from wrong you lack empathy and humanity, not religion."
12.16.2023 | 6:32 PM ET
Predictions: 7 of 12 Winners, 1 Perfect, 445 Points | Tied for 3646th
"đ´ No Quarter Given đ´"
12.16.2023 | 6:34 PM ET
Predictions: 6 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 425 Points | Tied for 4049th
"Train by day, Joe Rogan podcast by night" - Nick Diaz
12.16.2023 | 6:35 PM ET
Predictions: 4 of 12 Winners, 2 Perfect, 275 Points | Tied for 5579th