UFC 296 : USA VS The United Kingdom

As the year 2023 comes to a close, the mixed martial arts world is gearing up for the grand finale, which is UFC 296, the final pay-per-view event of the year. The much-anticipated event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The main event will feature an exciting UFC Welterweight Championship bout between the current champion, Leon Edwards, and the former interim champion, Colby Covington. This match promises to be an intense display of skill, strategy, and determination as both fighters compete for the prestigious title. The two fighters have a history of heated exchanges, with tempers flaring at the pre-UFC 296 press conference. Edwards, who won the belt from Kamaru Usman in August 2022, is looking to defend his title for the second time. Meanwhile, Covington, who hasn’t fought since defeating Jorge Masvidal in March 2022, is eager to reclaim the title.

In addition to the headline event, the card will also include a UFC Flyweight Championship bout between the current champion, Alexandre Pantoja, and Brandon Royval. This fight is a rematch from their previous encounter in August 2021, which Pantoja won by second-round submission. Pantoja, who won the title in his last outing against Mexico’s Brandon Moreno at UFC 290, is looking to defend his title for the first time. Royval, on the other hand, is coming off a spectacular KO win against the #5 ranked flyweight, Matheus Nicolau, at UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen.

Other notable fights on the card include a welterweight bout between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Stephen Thompson. Rakhmonov, who is undefeated with a record of 17-0-0, is looking to continue his winning streak against Thompson, a former title challenger. Thompson, who is coming off a win against Kevin Holland, is looking to prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

The card also features a lightweight bout between Tony Ferguson and Paddy Pimblett. Ferguson, a former interim lightweight champion, is looking to break his losing streak and return to his winning ways. Pimblett, on the other hand, is riding a wave of momentum after his win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282.

Lastly, the card includes a featherweight bout between Josh Emmett and Bryce Mitchell. Mitchell is stepping in on short notice to replace an injured Giga Chikadze. Both fighters are looking to make a statement and climb the featherweight rankings.

As the countdown to this epic event begins, fans around the world eagerly anticipate the excitement, drama, and glory that is UFC 296. Who will emerge victorious? Who will taste defeat? Only time will tell.