When is Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington and how to watch UFC 296? Everything you need to know as the two welterweight stars go head-to-head, with Paddy Pimblett and Ian Machado Garry also starring

  • England's Leon Edwards defends his title against Colby Covington at UFC 296
  • Paddy Pimblett and Ian Garry are also on the highly anticipated card
  • Ruthless teenager Moses Itauma is a star in the making The hook

Leon Edwards will look to successfully defend his welterweight title for the second time when he takes on Colby Covington in an epic main event at UFC 296.

'Rocky' enters the mouthwatering fight following a majority decision win over welterweight legend Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 in March.

As for Covington, 'Chaos' is fighting for the first time in over a year. The No. 3 seed defeated bitter rival Jorge Masvidal via decision in his last outing.

UFC 296 also sees the return of Paddy Pimblett. The Englishman has not fought since his victory over Jared Gordon last year and will fight former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson. Ian Machado Garry is also on the main card this weekend. The undefeated Irishman faces his toughest test yet in Vincente Luque.

Mail Sport breaks down everything you need to know ahead of UFC 296.

Leon Edwards will look to successfully defend his welterweight title against Colby Covington at UFC 296

'Chaos' defeated bitter rival Jorge Masvidal in his final fight at UFC 272 in 2022

'Chaos' defeated bitter rival Jorge Masvidal in his final fight at UFC 272 in 2022

UFC 296 – Important information

UFC 296 will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The early heats start at 11pm GMT, while those in America can watch them at 6pm ET/3pm PT. The early heats begin at 9:00 AM (Sunday) EST or 8:30 AM ACST for those watching in Australia.

The preliminaries kick off at 1am GMT on Sunday morning, while those in the US can catch the action on Saturday at 5pm ET/6pm PT. The preliminaries start at 11am (Sunday) AEST or 10:30am ACST.

The main card is expected to kick off at 3am GMT for those in the UK and at 10pm ET/7pm PT for those watching in the US. Fans watching in Australia can catch the action at 1:00 PM (Sunday) EST or 12:30 PM ACST.

Ian Machado Garry's fight with Luque will likely take place around 3:30am in the UK (10:30pm ET/7:30pm PT on Saturday and 1:30pm (Sunday) AEST or 1:00pm ACST). Pimblett's clash with Ferguson will take place immediately after Garry's welterweight showdown with Luque.

Edwards and Covington will make their way into the Octagon around 5am GMT or 12pm ET/9pm PT.

'Rocky' comes into the fight coming off a win against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286

'Rocky' comes into the fight coming off a win against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286

How to watch

UFC 296 will be shown live on TNT Sports Box Office in the UK and will cost fans £19.99.

US fans can watch all the action on ESPN, while fans in Australia can watch all the cards on Kayo Sports.

Mail Sport will also have live coverage of UFC 296, so you can keep up to date with all the action here.

UFC 296 sees the return of Ian Machado Garry as he faces welterweight stat Vicente Luque

UFC 296 sees the return of Ian Machado Garry as he faces welterweight stat Vicente Luque

England's Paddy Pimblett returns for the first time in over a year to take on Tony Ferguson

England's Paddy Pimblett returns for the first time in over a year to take on Tony Ferguson

Edwards vs Covington – Important details

Leon Edwards

Age: 32

Height: 6ft

Reach: 74in

Posture: South paw

Record: 21-3-1

Colby Covington

Age: 35

Height: 5ft 11in

Reach: 72in

Posture: South paw

Balance: 17-3

Complete battle map

Subject to change

Main card

  • Main Event: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington – For UFC welterweight title
  • Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval – For the UFC flyweight title
  • Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson
  • Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson
  • Vicente Luque vs. Ian Machado Garry

Preliminary map

  • Josh Emmett vs. Giga Chikadze
  • Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa
  • Cody Garbrandt vs. Brian Kelleher
  • Casey O'Neill vs. Ariane Lipski

Early preliminary map

  • Alonzo Menifield vs. Dustin Jacoby
  • Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Cody Durden
  • André Fili vs. Lucas Almeida
  • Martin Buday vs. Shamil Gaziev
  • Randy Brown vs. Muslim Salikhov
UFC 296 will take place in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena

UFC 296 will take place in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena

Chances

Leon Edwards wins – 8/11

Colby Covington wins – 11/10

All odds via Sky Bet and correct at time of publication.