It’ssss timeeeeeee… The countdown to Bruce Buffer’s announcement is on. The T-Mobile stage is set for a welterweight showdown as champion Leon Edwards looks to defend his belt for a second time. The challenger, Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington. We’ve previewed what is potentially the biggest night in British MMA history, picking out some betting tips based on the latest UFC betting odds.
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Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington Preview
‘That is not the cloth from which he is cut’. It’s approaching 18 months since Jon Anik delivered that poetic line and Rocky put Kamaru Usman to sleep with a picture-perfect high kick. The Brummie lad followed that up with a dominant display in the rematch in London, putting to bed any claims that he won the title with luck.
His next test, Colby Covington. The American has long been considered the gatekeeper of the welterweight division, drawing a line between genuine title contenders and the rest. That might be a tad harsh. Covington has only lost three times in his pro-MMA career, twice of which were against Usman. If it weren’t for the Nigerian, Covington would have been a champion.
Covington comes into this fight off the back of a long lay-off. The last time he entered the octagon was for a five-round brawl with Jorge Masvidal, a fight he won handily.
Edwards, on the other hand, defended his title in March. He has been the more active fighter since 2021, and there will be no signs of ring rust that’s for sure. Can Leon deal with the relentless Covington pressure to get his hand raised in Las Vegas?
Latest UFC 296 Betting Odds
The bookies have Edwards as the favourite to retain his crowd at 1.60. Covington is a 2.34 underdog. The fight is also expected to go the distance at 1.51, while a finish for either man is less favoured at 2.45.
Main betting markets:
Leon Edwards by decision – 2.55
Leon Edwards by KO/TKO/DQ – 5.20
Leon Edwards by submission – 14.00
Colby Covington by decision – 3.30
Colby Covington by KO/TKO/DQ – 8.00
Colby Covington by submission – 12.00
Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington Betting Tips
Fight to go the distance – 1.51
This pick isn’t shocking anyone but it’s a good addition to any acca. Colby’s been finished just once by TKO in his MMA career, while Leon is more of a point-fighter than a power striker. It’s got decision written all over it.
Leon Edwards to win by decision – 2.55
What we saw Rocky do in London against Usman was astounding. Nobody had done that to Usman before. He stuffed all the former champ’s shots and comfortably outstruck him on the feet. Covington will undoubtedly pile on the pressure, but if Edwards has a similar takedown defence percentage, he’s got the tools to win the fight standing.
*Odds subject to change.
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