The UFC’s final pay-per-view event of the year sees the promotion return home to Las Vegas for UFC 296, where they have stacked the deck for the final showpiece event of 2023.
Headlining the event is a battle for the undisputed welterweight championship of the world, as England’s Leon Edwards looks to complete the second defense of his title when he takes on former interim champion Colby Covington. The co-main also features championship action, as newly-crowned flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja takes on familiar opposition in the form of 125-pound rival Brandon Royval.
Also on the fight card, English lightweight star Paddy Pimblett takes on former interim lightweight champion and Octagon legend Tony Ferguson, while undefeated Irish welterweight Ian Machado Garry puts his 0 on the line when he faces former training partner and longtime welterweight contender Vicente Luque in a 170-pound clash.
Also at welterweight, there’s a pivotal matchup for the division, as former title challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson provides the highest-caliber test to date for surging 17-0 contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Ahead of the event, the UFC’s “Embedded” cameras are following the fighters behind the scenes as they work their way through fight week, as they arrive in Las Vegas and go through their pre-fight media obligations before the weigh-ins and the final faceoffs ahead of fight night.
As described on the UFC’s official YouTube channel, in Episode 1, “Leon Edwards and Paddy Pimblett bring the UK to the PI. Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson teaches his craft. Champ Alexandre Pantoja trains in Florida; Brandon Royval hits the ice. Colby Covington shows off his digs.”
Check out the full episode below.