UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Brown vs salikhov is off now too. Brown is sick

So much for having 14 fights

It's impossible to have a problem free card these days 😖

If you think this is bad wait until the January cards. I bet 4-5 fights on each card will get cancelled; everyone pulls out in January because they ate too much during the holidays 

@Calfoth 

dude you jinxed the card by saying I jinxed it. Lol

@crimson yes he was lmfao 

@Kniferusty 

you shouldn’t have said ANYTHING, never say a card hasn’t had any cancellations before even the weigh ins happend yet 

Can’t they make luque vs Muslim now? 

Isn't Kevin Holland trying to get in?

holland vs salikhov make it happen ufc 

I hope Luque doesn't take the Holland fight, it's great for fans but Holland is a dangerous fight especially on short notice. Even if Luque beats Holland they will probably book Luque vs Garry. But if Luque loses, they might make Garry vs Holland instead. Beating Garry for the first time, especially with his reputation is a lot more valuable than beating Holland for me.
I hope Luque pushes for a rebook at 297.

what are the odds of Tony bringing Houdini to the press conference?

Salikhov vs. Luque isn't a very competitive fight but I'm here for it if that somehow comes together. 

  Here's a detailed overview of the entire UFC 296 fight card, including predictions, methods, rounds, confidence percentages, and a more detailed rationale for each fight:


1. Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington

• Prediction: Leon Edwards
• Method & Round: Decision
• Confidence Percentage: 55%
• Rationale: Edwards brings superior striking skills, excellent distance management, and a solid takedown defense, which could counteract Covington's wrestling and pressure-fighting style. Edwards has shown he can handle aggressive wrestlers and his ability to land significant strikes while maintaining composure could earn him points for a decision win. Covington's endurance and grappling are formidable, but Edwards' versatility in striking is expected to prevail.

2. Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval

• Prediction: Alexandre Pantoja
• Method & Round: Submission, Round 4
• Confidence Percentage: 75%
• Rationale: Pantoja’s striking and grappling balance, coupled with his experience, might control the fight against the aggressive but sometimes reckless Royval. Pantoja's more calculated approach, particularly on the ground, could lead to a submission finish as Royval tends to expose vulnerabilities in grappling exchanges.

3. Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson

• Prediction: Shavkat Rakhmonov
• Method & Round: Submission, Round 2
• Confidence Percentage: 80%
• Rationale: Rakhmonov’s diverse skill set, particularly in grappling, could neutralize Thompson's striking advantage. Rakhmonov has shown proficiency both on the feet and on the ground, and his ability to seamlessly transition between striking and grappling might overwhelm Thompson, leading to a submission.

4. Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett

• Prediction: Paddy Pimblett
• Method & Round: Decision
• Confidence Percentage: 65%
• Rationale: Pimblett's momentum and all-around skill set might give him an edge over Ferguson, who, despite his experience and unorthodox style, has shown recent vulnerabilities. Pimblett's ability to blend striking with grappling and his high fight IQ could help him outmaneuver Ferguson for a decision win.

6. Josh Emmett vs. Bryce Mitchell

• Prediction: Bryce Mitchell
• Method & Round: Submission, Round 2
• Confidence Percentage: 60%
• Rationale: Mitchell's exceptional grappling and submission skills are likely to challenge Emmett's striking-focused approach. Mitchell could capitalize on any takedown opportunities and utilize his ground control and submission skills to secure a finish.

7. Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa

• Prediction: Irene Aldana
• Method & Round: TKO/KO, Round 3
• Confidence Percentage: 55%
• Rationale: Aldana's striking power, coupled with her experience against top-level competition, might allow her to outstrike Rosa. Aldana's ability to land clean, powerful shots could lead to a late stoppage.

8. Cody Garbrandt vs. Brian Kelleher

• Prediction: Cody Garbrandt
• Method & Round: TKO/KO, Round 1
• Confidence Percentage: 55%
• Rationale: Garbrandt's speed and knockout power could be decisive in this matchup. His ability to land accurate, powerful strikes early on might lead to a quick finish against Kelleher.

9. Casey O'Neill vs. Ariane Lipski

• Prediction: Casey O'Neill
• Method & Round: Decision
• Confidence Percentage: 65%
• Rationale: O'Neill's aggressive style, high striking rate, and effective grappling could control the fight. Her pressure and volume, coupled with her ability to mix in takedowns, might lead to a dominant decision win.

10. Alonzo Menifield vs. Dustin Jacoby

• Prediction: Alonzo Menifield
• Method & Round: TKO/KO, Round 1
• Confidence Percentage: 55%
• Rationale: Menifield’s power and aggressive striking style are expected to overwhelm Jacoby early. Menifield's ability to close distance and land significant strikes could lead to a quick finish.

11. Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Cody Durden

• Prediction: Tagir Ulanbekov
• Method & Round: Submission, Round 2
• Confidence Percentage: 55%
• Rationale: Ulanbekov's grappling and submission skills might give him the edge in this fight. His ability to control opponents on the ground and secure submissions could be too much for Durden to handle.

12. Andre Fili vs. Lucas Almeida

• Prediction: Andre Fili
• Method & Round: Decision
• Confidence Percentage: 60%
• Rationale: Fili's experience and well-rounded skill set could lead to a decision victory. His striking and occasional grappling might control the fight against Almeida, who is less experienced but still a formidable striker.

13. Martin Buday vs. Shamil Gaziev

• Prediction: Martin Buday
• Method & Round: TKO/KO, Round 2
• Confidence Percentage: 55%
• Rationale: Buday's striking volume and experience might control the fight, leading to a knockout victory against the less experienced Gaziev.

14. Randy Brown vs. Muslim Salikhov

• Prediction: Randy Brown
• Method & Round: Decision
• Confidence Percentage: 65%
• Rationale: Brown’s reach and versatility in striking and grappling might lead to a decision victory against Salikhov, who is a dangerous striker but might be outmatched in overall fight control.

This overview covers the entire UFC 296 card, providing detailed predictions and insights based on fighters' strengths, weaknesses, and recent performances. 

* Edited at 12.14.2023, 8:52 PM ET *

Colby is under Leon's skin. Fighters never think he will & he always does 

Not hard to piss someone off when you say he’s dead dad in hell

I mean he's not lying.

Didn't Leon tell everybody his dad was a gang member? Lol those ppl don't exactly go to the pearly gates.

* Edited at 12.14.2023, 9:21 PM ET *

This pre-fight presser was a decent one, haven't had a good one in awhile.

Ferguson and Covington were roasting eachother than next second made a peace treaty and started roasting the British 😂😂

* Edited at 12.14.2023, 9:34 PM ET *

Emmett vs. Mitchell
Josh Emmett, TKO, R2
if Emmett can't win here, I honestly think he should look at retirement. he's 38 at FW and the fights wont get easier from here. He'll get fed to some young prospect next, it will never end

the guy is still top 10 even if he lose here, no need of retiring just need to recognize he is not championship material.