UFC 296 takes place this Sunday the 17th at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada. The main event is a clash for the division title between Edwards and Covington, and we will look at this as well as 2 other main card bouts from a betting point of view.
Click here to bet on the full fight card
LEON EDWARDS vs COLBY COVINGTON
Welterweight Title Fight Main Event:
Leon Edwards is an English fighter who is well known for his stamina and clean striking. Since entering the UFC in 2014, he has won 13 of his 16 fights with just 2 losses and 1 no-contest. The last time he lost a fight was in 2016 and his recent fight was a title fight against Kamaru Usman where he won by decision.
Edwards will enter the octagon this weekend as the betting favourite, and he will be expected to retain his title.
Colby Covington is an American fighter who has also been in the UFC since 2014. He is known for his ability in grappling, and he has extreme stamina. He has won 12 of his 15 fights in the UFC since 2014 with 2 of losses being to Kamaru Usman. His last fight took place last year at UFC 272 where he beat Jorge Masvidal by decision.
He is the underdog in the betting markets, and he will look for an upset win to claim the title.
BETTING – click here to bet
Edwards 8/13
Covington 27/20
PREDICTION:
I believe that this fight will go the distance with Edwards winning by decision and retaining the title.
STEPHEN THOMPSON vs SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV
Welterweight Bout:
Stephen Thompson is an American fighter who is known for his kickboxing abilities. He has won 3 of his last 5 fights with his most recent fight ending in a TKO win over Kevin Holland last December in round 4.
With Thompson not fighting since last year he will enter this bout as the dark horse and the betting odds will be against him.
Shavkat Rakhmonov is a fighter from Kazakhstan who possesses a Sambo fighting style. He has won all 5 of his fights in the UFC so far since entering in 2020. His most recent fight ended in a round 3 submission win over Geoff Neal at UFC 285.
Based on his form so far in the UFC, he will enter this fight as the heavy favourite.
BETTING – click here to bet
Thompson 9/2
Rakhmonov 1/6
PREDICTION:
I believe that Rakhmonov will be too good for Thompson on the night, and he will win by submission in round 2.
PADDY PIMBLETT vs TONY FERGUSON
Lightweight Bout:
Paddy Pimblett is an English fighter who is well known for his skills in the field of Jiu-Jitsu. He is currently on a 6-fight win streak with 4 of these wins being in the UFC leaving his UFC record on 4-0. His last fight ended in a decision win over Jared Gordon. Pimblett will enter this fight as the favourite in the betting markets.
Tony Ferguson is a talented American fighter who has been in the UFC since 2011. He is known for his grappling and striking however he not won in his last 6 fights with his most recent fight ending in a submission loss to Bobby Green in July of this year. Ferguson will enter this fight as the underdog due to his journeyman like form over the last few years.
BETTING – click here to bet
Pimblett 1/3
Ferguson 12/5
PREDICTION:
I believe that Pimblett will dominate this fight, winning by submission in round 2.
Double your Payout on 1st Round finishes
Place a multiple of 3 or more legs on this week’s UFC 296 and if all your selections win in the 1st round, we will double your payout in Free Bet vouchers!
*Pre-Match events only. T’s & C’s apply. Refund/Payout limited to R2000.
Free Bets do not qualify for this offer. Limited to 1 refund per customer per event.
Promotion must be claimed within 24 hours of the fights finishing.
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘UFC’
SUGGESTED BETS:
Edwards vs Covington
Edwards by decision at 29/20
Thompson vs Rakhmonov
Rakhmonov by submission at 11/10 (alternative bet Rakhmonov in round 2 at 16/5)
Pimblett vs Ferguson
Pimblett by submission at 5/2 (alternative bet Pimblett in round 2 at 9/2)
All prices subject to change.
