Two world title fights will highlight the final UFC pay-per-view card of 2023, with UFC 296 in Las Vegas anchored by welterweight champion Leon Edwards defending his belt against Colby Covington. Their five-round showdown tops the main UFC 296 fight card from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The versatile Edwards enters on a 12-fight unbeaten streak, including a defense of the title with a decision over former champion Kamaru Usman in March. The top-ranked Covington will be getting his third chance at the undisputed title following losses to Usman in his prior two opportunities.
Edwards is a -165 favorite (risk $165 to win $100), while Covington comes back at +140 in the latest UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington odds from the SportsLine consensus. In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja (-185) defends the flyweight belt against No. 2-ranked contender Brandon Royval (+155). Before locking in your picks for UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington, make sure you see the MMA predictions and betting advice from proven SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani.
From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport's nuances.
In his SportsLine debut for UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and has been a consistent winner ever since. At UFC 292, he called the upset for underdog Sean O'Malley (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) in the bantamweight championship main event. Anyone who has followed Vithlani already has seen massive returns.
Now, with UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington on deck, Vithlani has studied the card from top to bottom and released his top selections. You can only see those picks at SportsLine.
UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington preview
The UFC 296 main presents a matchup of fighters who are known as complete mixed martial artists who weaponize their nonstop pace and cardio to augment their polished skills in every discipline. However, outside of the cage Edwards and Covington couldn't be more different.
Edwards (21-3-1) is an eight-year UFC veteran who has been one of the most dominant welterweights ever since he joined the promotion. But his lack of self-promotion and mild-mannered disposition, along with a sometimes risk-averse style, spawned minimal popularity among MMA observers. This explains in large part why it took a 10-fight unbeaten streak for Edwards to secure his first title shot.
However, the 32-year-old English fighter made the most of the opportunity. His head-kick knockout of Usman at UFC 278 in August of last year became a highlight-reel clip, and many fans finally started showing Edwards some long-overdue respect.
Even so, the brash and unfiltered Covington (17-3) cuts a much more distinct and calculated public image. To combat what many observers saw as a somewhat mundane fighting style, Covington turned full heel in pro-wrestling style years ago, hurling irreverent insults at anyone in his path at any moment.
Although his brash disposition has generated a groundswell of detractors and supporters, Covington's skill in the cage is undeniable, as is his ability to promote a fight. In his last appearance, the 35-year-old former collegiate wrestler dominated two-time title challenger Jorge Masvidal for a unanimous-decision win in March of last year. You can see who Vithlani is backing at SportsLine.
UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington predictions
We'll reveal one of Vithlani's UFC 296 selections here: He is backing Paddy Pimblett (-300) to get his hand raised against Tony Ferguson (+240) in a lightweight battle on the main card.
Pimblett (20-3) is the former Cage Warriors champion who not long ago was one of the hottest prospects in the UFC regardless of division. However, the 28-year-old English fighter has stepped in the cage for more than a year because of injuries. Moreover, public sentiment turned sharply against him following a controversial decision over Jared Gordon in his last fight in which Pimblett was defiant regarding criticism of his performance and was also dismissive of his opponent.
Ferguson (25-9) is one of the most successful fighters in the history of the lightweight division who still holds the division-record longest winning streak at 12. However, the 39-year-old hasn't won since June 2019 and currently holds the second-longest losing streak in the history of the UFC with six. Another loss Saturday would likely spell the end of his storied career.
"I'm not sure if Ferguson can make Pimblett pay for his mistakes. I expect Ferguson to compete, but I can't put my money on whatever is left of him," Vithlani told SportsLine. You can see more UFC 296 picks at SportsLine.
How to make UFC 296 picks
Vithlani also has strong picks for Edwards vs. Covington and other bouts on the UFC 296 card. He's also backing a fighter who is "tough and sound everywhere" to emerge with a dominant victory. Those picks are only available at SportsLine.
Who wins UFC 296 Edwards vs. Covington, and how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC 296, all from the MMA expert who profited more than $6,200 in 2022, and find out.
UFC 296 odds, fight card
See full UFC 296 picks, predictions, best bets here.
Leon Edwards (-165) vs. Colby Covington (+140)
Alexandre Pantoja (-185) vs. Brandon Royval (+155)
Shavkat Rakhmonov (-650) vs. Stephen Thompson (+470)
Tony Ferguson (+240) vs. Paddy Pimblett (-300)
Vicente Luque (+275) vs. Ian Garry (-345)
Josh Emmett (+185) vs. Bryce Mitchell (-225)
Karol Rosa (+170) vs. Irene Aldana (-205)
Cody Garbrandt (-200) vs. Brian Kelleher (+165)
Casey O'Neill (-190) vs. Ariane Lipski (+160)
Alonzo Menifield (+220) vs. Dustin Jacoby (-270)
Andre Fili (-175) vs. Lucas Almeida (+145)
Martin Buday (-150) vs. Shamil Gaziev (+125)
Randy Brown (-270) vs. Muslim Salikhov (+220)
