10 p.m. ET: ESPN+ PPV Main Event

8 p.m.: Prelims (ESPN+, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes & SiriusXM Fight Nation 156) 

6:30 p.m.: Early Prelims (ESPN+ & SiriusXM Fight Nation 156)

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UFC PPV action returns this weekend live from Las Vegas with UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington. The final UFC event of 2023 will be live from T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 10 p.m. ET, exclusively on ESPN+ PPV (English and Spanish). The Prelims will be available on ESPN+, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and SiriusXM Fight Nation 156 starting at 8 p.m. The Early Prelims will be available on ESPN+ and SiriusXM Fight Nation 156 starting at 6:30 p.m. ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will also join the Early Prelims beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Main Event

• Welterweight champion Leon Edwards steps into the Octagon with former interim titleholder and current No. 3 contender Colby Covington in an electrifying main event between heated rivals. Edwards (21-3) sets out to defend his title once again and cement himself as one of the UFC’s best. Covington (17-3) plans to show the world he deserves to be the undisputed UFC welterweight champion and add to his three first-round finishes.

Co-Main Event

• In the co-main event, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defends his title for the first time against No. 2 Brandon Royval in a high-stakes flyweight rematch where both fighters aim to add to their 10 first-round finishes. Pantoja (26-5) looks to deliver another win over Royval and build upon his legacy, while Royval (15-6) intends to not let history repeat itself.

Additional PPV Card Highlights

• 5 ranked welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov (17-0) intends to remain unbeaten and extend his perfect 100-percent finish rate (all 17 wins by stoppage) in a thrilling tilt with fan-favorite and 2-time UFC title challenger, No. 6 Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (17-6-1).
• In a high-stakes lightweight showdown, former interim UFC champion and winner of The Ultimate Fighter 13 Tony Ferguson (25-9) takes on Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett (20-3) and his perfect 4-0 UFC record.

ESPN+, ESPN.com, ESPN App UFC Content: Editorial, Live and Upcoming, On Demand, Studio Shows, Archives

• Friday: Love him or hate him, Colby Covington’s ready to cash in on his heel turn (Brett Okamoto)
• UFC 296 expert picks and best bets: How Colby Covington can upset Leon Edwards
• UFC 296 storylines: Can Covington finally win a title vs. Edwards?
• Las preguntas clave de UFC 296: ¿La tercera será la vencida para Covington? ¿Cómo Irene regresa a la contienda?
• UFC 296: ‘Paddy the Baddy’ meets his crossroads moment
• Por qué UFC 296 es una vitrina especial para Rakhmonov y Pimblett
• UFC 296 Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington: cómo ver o stream el PPV, horario, cartelera, apuestas y más
• Cuando ‘El Cucuy’ era la pesadilla del peso ligero: las peleas más importantes de Tony Ferguson en el UFC
• How to watch or stream the 2023 Fighters Only World MMA Awards

On The Call

• Jon Anik will call the action alongside Joe Rogan and former two-division Champion Daniel Cormier. Megan Olivi will handle reporting duties.

@ESPNMMA: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter)

Programming (All times ET)

*Immediately following Main Event

**ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will join Early Prelims coverage at 7:30 p.m.

Main Card and Prelims (All times ET)

For More Information on ESPN+

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MEDIA CONTACTS 

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Ardi Dwornik: [email protected] | Michael Skarka: [email protected]