Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington – UFC 296 Preview and Prediction
Leon Edwards and Colby Covington will close out the year for the UFC when they meet in the main event of UFC 296.
Edwards is coming off back-to-back wins over the man who kept the title away from Covington as Edwards finished Kamaru Usman to win the title and then defeated him by a decision earlier this year in their rematch.
This fight marks Covington’s third crack at the welterweight title in which he lost both his title shots to Usman. Despite never being the undisputed champ, Covington did win an interim weltweight title.
Heres a preview and prediction of the fight. The full breakdown can also be seen in the video above.
Breakdown
Edwards looked great in his last fight and you can argue that it may have been his best performance.
After needing a final round knockout to beat Usman in their first meeting, Edwards dominated their rematch in March and if he looks that good at UFC 296, it will be a long night for Covington.
While Edwards is coming off two wins over Usman, Covington is coming off the couch.
No, Covington hasn’t been sitting around doing nothing. He’s been training like a warrior and sharpening his skills everyday, but he hasn’t stepped foot inside the octagon in almost two years.
Tale of the Tape
Edwards will have a slight height and reach advantage. He’s also three years younger.
Covington isn’t the biggest welterweight so he’s used to being the smaller guy on fight night.
Oddsmakers
They have this fight close. Very close. They have Edwards as they slightest betting favorite and it should be interesting too see if the odds adjust as the UFC 296 fight week rolls on.
Prediction
Close fight to call.
Whenever Edwards won the title, he needed a last round miracle knockout and he did just that.
In that fight, Usman was way too active for Edwards and was able to take down Edwards and control him on the ground.
Covington is known for his hight output and his takedowns as he was a NCAA Division I wrestler at Oregon State. So basically, he has all the tools to win this fight.
Edwards may have a striking advantage the longer the fight stays standing so Covington will have to get takedowns to win.
Here’s the question to ask and take into consideration. How does Covington respond from a long layoff?
He’s done it before and looked good, but typically fighters face ring rust and with Edwards rolling, Covington can’t afford to be rusty in the fight.
Prediction: Leon Edwards defeats Colby Covington at UFC 296.
