UFC 296: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | Dec 16, 2023

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is set to close out 2023 with one of the most anticipated events of the year, UFC 296. On December 16, the T-Mobile Arena will host an electrifying night of fights, headlined by a welterweight title clash between champion Leon Edwards and the formidable challenger Colby Covington.

The co-main event promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats as Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval battle it out for the flyweight title.

The intensity ramps up with a welterweight bout featuring the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov taking on the striking specialist, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.

Adding to the main card, fan-favorite Tony Ferguson will face off against rising star Paddy Pimblett in what is expected to be a riveting lightweight bout.

Rounding out the main card, Vicente Luque will go toe-to-toe with Ian Garry in a fight that is sure to showcase the depth of talent in the welterweight division.

As we inch closer to the event, let's delve into some interesting data about the fighters featured on the main card:

• Leon Edwards steps into the octagon with an impressive record and the determination to defend his welterweight title against the always controversial and highly skilled Colby Covington.

• Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval come into their flyweight title bout with a history of spectacular finishes, promising a co-main event that could end at any moment.

• Shavkat Rakhmonov enters the fight with an undefeated record, facing a veteran in Stephen Thompson, known for his unique karate style and dynamic striking.

• The lightweight bout features Tony Ferguson, a former interim champion with a reputation for his cardio and unorthodox style, versus Paddy Pimblett, whose charisma and finishing ability have quickly made him a fan favorite.

The prelims are just as stacked, with notable fighters like Josh Emmett, Irene Aldana, and Cody Garbrandt all looking to make a statement.

UFC 296 is not just the last event of the year; it's a celebration of the sport, showcasing the very best of mixed martial arts with a fight card that is absolutely stacked from top to bottom. As the fighters prepare to enter the octagon, fans around the world are marking their calendars for what promises to be an unforgettable night in Las Vegas.

Here is the Full Fight Card

Main Card

Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington

Main Event | Welterweight Title Bout

Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval

Co Main Event | Flyweight Title Bout

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen Thompson

Welterweight Bout

Tony Ferguson faces Paddy Pimblett

Lightweight Bout

Prelims Card

Josh Emmett vs Giga Chikadze [Featherweight Bout]

Irene Aldana vs Karol Rosa [Women Bantamweight]

Cody Garbrandt vs Brian Kelleher [Bantamweight]

Casey O'Neill vs Ariane Lipski [Women Flyweight]

Early Prelims

Alonzo Menifield vs Dustin Jacoby [Light Heavyweight]

Martin Buday vs Shamil Gaziev [Heavyweight]

Tagir Ulanbekov vs Cody Durden [Flyweight]

Randy Brown vs Muslim Salikhov [Welterweight]