The Future, The Wonderboy, The Baddy, The Cannibal, Rocky and Chaos walk into T-Mobile Arena… this isn’t an opening line for a bad joke, it’s some of the many big-name fighters partaking in UFC 296 this weekend.
This is by far the biggest card of the year and I cannot wait for some Performance of the Night Bonuses to be handed out like an episode of the Opera Winfrey Show.
For the last pay-per-view of the year, I’ll be breaking down every fight on the main card.
Can the self-proclaimed American champ Colby Covington shock the world?
Can Paddy Pimbett conquer his biggest test yet?
Will the unbeaten record of Ian Garry continue after this weekend?
My thoughts on UFC 296 Edwards vs Convington can be found below.
Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington (UFC Welterweight Championship)
Tip: Covington Via KO/TKO or Points
England’s own Leon Edwards has stepped into the cage with some dangerous opponents, but Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington is a different beast.
Chaos will play to his strengths (which according to him is everything) but for me, it’s his ground game.
The 2-time NCAA All-American is not a man to mess with, having wrestled for Iowa and Central Iowa Community College, this bout is going to the ground early.
Former Welterweight champion Kamara Usman noticeably dominated on the ground against Edwards before being clocked in the 5th round, which is something Covington can take clear advantage of.
This isn’t a time for Covington to entertain the fans and toy with Edwards, especially with a championship belt on the line so I’m expecting a more business-like approach.
Although there’s plenty of value in taking Covington to win head-to-head, however, I’ll be taking Covington to secure the win via KO/TKO or Points.
Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval for the UFC Flyweight Champion
Tip: Pantoja via Submission or Points
Alexandre Pantoja is defending his Flyweight title for the first time since claiming it against Moreno and he’s coming against an old rival and second ranked Brandon Royval.
Pantoja is on a four-fight unbeaten streak and I can see that changing to five this weekend.
This run of good form has included a pair of wins via submission and the other two have been via points.
Based on those numbers I’ll be taking Pantoja to regain his title by way of Submission or Points.
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen Thompson
Tip: Andrade by KO/TKO or Points @ $2.80
Shavkat Rakhmonov is locked in for his bout with Stephen Thompson which I believe is the most underrated fight on the entire card.
The 29-year-old has finished every opponent the matchmakers have put in front of him including four submissions and one KO.
Stephen Thompson has always been one bout away from that title fight and when he falls short, he must win another few to be in contention once again.
Thompson will stay strong in the first round, however I’ll be taking the focused and highly skilled Shavkat Rakhmonov to finish this fight in the second round.
