The final UFC PPV of 2023 is looking to end with some fireworks. In a fight that just got extremely personal, Leon Edwards defends the UFC welterweight title against Colby Covington at UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena.
Turning pro in 2011, Edwards joined the UFC in 2014. “Rocky” is unbeaten since 2016 and beat some of the best in the sport before landing a dramatic head kick against Kamaru Usman in 2022.
Winning the UFC welterweight title in the process, Edwards later retained it against Usman in March, and the 32-year-old is not ready to let go of the belt just yet.
The fight at UFC 296 appears to be Covington’s last shot at gold. “Chaos” is 2-2 in his previous four fights but 0-2 in title fights. The wrestler also hasn’t fought since March 2022.
His controversial persona has resulted in mixed results. He may have taken things too far when mentioning Edwards’ late father heading into the fight. Edwards knows Covington is playing mind games, something he won’t participate in.
WATCH: UFC 296: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington, exclusively on ESPN+
The co-main event will be a rematch as Alexandre Pantoja defends the UFC flyweight title against Brandon Royval, a man he beat in a non-title fight in 2021.
The Sporting News will provide full results and highlights from UFC 296. Stay tuned!
UFC 296 results, highlights
9:26 p.m. ET: Aldana won via unanimous decision. Very late contender for Fight of the Year.
9:25 p.m. ET: Aldana’s leg, swollen and all, didn’t seem to bother her. Rosa landed combinations, and now holds the record for most leg kicks in bantamweight history. Aldana pressed forward and landed combinations. Both are bleeding badly. Rosa was bleeding by both eyes like she was in a horror movie. Aldana provided plenty of pressure. These ladies deserve a bonus.
Back in the win column for @IreneAldana_!
She takes the unanimous decision over Karol Rosa at #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/QsPVbUp5KX
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
9:15 p.m. ET: Aldana was the aggressor to start. Rosa used leg kicks against the boxer-like fighter. The former got dropped to the floor by a kick as she landed combinations. Aldana continued to press forward, even with a damaged leg. Another leg kick buckled Aldana. Rosa continued to batter Aldana in round two. Outside of leg kicks, she landed sharp shots to the face. Aldana fought back but Rosa countered. Rosa slipped on a knee attempt and Aldana used her error to attack. Aldana with a clean uppercut in he last twenty seconds of round two.
IRENE ALDANA’S LEG 😲 #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/LzddwsUyFB
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 17, 2023
9:05 p.m. ET: The next fight is a bantamweight bout between Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa.
8:45 p.m. ET: Both fighters came out swinging to start. Kelleher chopped at Garbrandt’s legs. Garbrandt got him in the head as Kelleher moved forward. The former moved “Boom Boom” close to the cage and held onto him. Garbrandt landed a clean elbow and then hit Kelleher with body blows. As Kellher landed a leg kick Garbrandt hit a right hand that put him down.
CODY GARBRANDT GETS THE KNOCKOUT 💥
Stream #UFC296 on ESPN2 and ESPN+ 🍿 https://t.co/R7p1InbYK6 pic.twitter.com/G3jcFUWAJ4
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 17, 2023
8:40 p.m. ET: Up next is Cody Garbrandt vs. Brian Kelleher at bantamweight. The former champion in Garbrandt had a small stint at flyweight and is back at 135.
8:25 p.m. ET: The first fight of the prelims was Casey O’Neill vs. Ariane Lipski. Lipski landed a counter shot in round one and both women started a game of shot for shot through the round. Round two saw Lipski decimate O’Neill from the feet and forced her to the floor, where she continued her assault. The former went from a rear-naked choke to an armbar, and got the quick tap.
ARIANE LIPSKI PUT ON A GRAPPLING CLINIC 😤
Stream #UFC296 on ESPN2 and ESPN+ 🍿 https://t.co/d0HNbGMC4r pic.twitter.com/JPFLlv7J6l
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 17, 2023
8 p.m. ET: The prelims have started. The UFC commentary team is going over the welterweight rankings, and it will be interesting to see if Belal Muhammad gets a title shot after tonight, or if Shavkat Rakhmonov forces his way to the top.
7 p.m. ET: During the Early Prelims, Shamil Gaziev defeated Martin Buday, Andre Fili beat Lucas Almeida, and Shamil Gaziev defeated Martin Buday via TKO, all via TKO.
As we prepare for the main event, Edwards has responded to Covington’s pre-fight comments about his late father. “I know that’s what he wants, he wants to come out there and be stupid, but I want to be cold in there,” Edwards told Eurosport. “I’m coming for him, and I can’t wait for it… I feel like the ref needs to pull me off him. I need to hurt this man. I’m not going to play into this guy’s game, but I’m also coming to take him out.”
7:45 p.m. ET: Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of UFC 296!
When is UFC 296: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington?
The early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET, with the prelims at 8 p.m. ET. The main card is at 10 p.m. ET. Edwards and Covington should make their way to the octagon around 12:15 a.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
| Region | Date | Early Prelims Start Time | Prelims Start Time | Main Card Start Time | Main Event Ring Walks (approx.) |
| USA and Canada (ET) | Saturday, December 16 | 6 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. ET | 10 p.m. ET | 12:15 a.m. ET |
| USA and Canada (PT) | Saturday, December 16 | 3 p.m. PT | 5 p.m. PT | 7 p.m. PT | 9:15 p.m. PT |
| UK and Ireland | Sunday, December 17 | 11 p.m. GMT | 1 a.m. GMT | 3 a.m. GMT | 5:15 a.m. GMT |
| Australia | Sunday, December 17 | 10 a.m. AEDT | 12 p.m. AEDT | 2 p.m. AEDT | 4:15 p.m. AEDT |
How to watch UFC 296: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington
| Country | Date | Channel + Live Stream (main card) |
| United States | Saturday, December 16 | ESPN+, ESPN PPV |
| Canada | Saturday, December 16 | BELL, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus, Eastlink, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass |
| United Kingdom | Sunday, December 17 | TNT Sports, TNT Sports Box Office |
| Australia | Sunday, December 17 | Main Event, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass |
Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington PPV price: How much does UFC 296 cost?
In the U.S., the UFC 296 main card is available via pay-per-view on ESPN+, which also requires a subscription. The PPV price for UFC 296 is $ 79.99 for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $ 134.98 for the UFC 296 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription, which offers savings of more than 30 percent.
In the UK, the main card is on TNT Sports Box Office and will cost £19.99.
| Product | Prices |
|---|---|
| ESPN+ Monthly Subscription | $ 10.99/mo |
| ESPN+ Annual Subscription | $ 109.99/yr |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported | $ 14.99/mo |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads | $ 24.99/mo |
| UFC PPV Standalone | $ 79.99 each |
| UFC PPV Package (UFC PPV & ESPN+ Annual) | $ 134.98, then $ 109.99/year |
| UFC PPV & The Disney Bundle |
$ 79.99, then $ 14.99/mo |
Click here to learn about the different pricing and bundling options with the ESPN+ platform.
UFC 296 full card
Main card
- Leon Edwards (c) vs. Colby Covington for the UFC welterweight title
- Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Brandon Royval 2 for the UFC flyweight title
- Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson; Welterweights
- Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett; Lightweights
- Josh Emmet vs. Bryce Mitchell; Featherweights
Prelims
- Alonzo Menifield vs. Dustin Jacoby; Light Heavyweights
- Irene Aldana def. Karol Rosa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Cody Garbrandt def. Brian Kelleher via KO (3:42 into round one)
- Ariane Lipski def. Casey O’Neill via armbar (1:18 into round two)
Early Prelims
- Tagir Ulanbekov def. Cody Durden via rear-naked choke (4:25 into round two)
- Andre Fili def. Lucas Almeida via TKO (3:32 into round one)
- Shamil Gaziev def. Martin Buday via TKO (0:56 into round two)
