Edwards and Covington will headline UFC 296

UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards will defend his title against Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 296, which will take place on December 16 in Las Vegas.

In the second most important fight of the event, Alexandre Pantoja will put his flyweight belt on the line in a rematch with Brandon Royval. The fights were announced by promotion general director Dana White.

For Edwards, this will be the second defense of the championship title after winning on points in the third fight with Kamaru Usman. The American has not known the bitterness of defeat over the past eight years.

As for Covington, this will be the third attempt for the shocking and scandalous fighter to win the championship belt - in his first two title fights he lost to the aforementioned ex-champion Usman. It is curious that the American has not left the Octagon since March 2022, when he defeated former teammate and friend Jorge Masvidal on points.