UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

@AyyLmaonnaise 

anyone would be GOATED if they stepped in for the fight 

Holland said 180 so that wouldn’t be a problem I imagine 

With so many welterweights on the card you would think Dana be smart enough to have a fighter on standby 

For once it's not a fight I've already spent hours capping. Still sucks though.

* Edited at 12.13.2023, 11:31 PM ET *

If Holland vs Luque is happening, it be another short notice fight that better then the original booking IMO

That sound awesome, and way more interesting of a fight 

* Edited at 12.13.2023, 11:35 PM ET *

I do not believe he has pneumonia 

If they replace Garry it will definitely be @ catchweight.

They won't make the dude stepping in get all the way down there just to make it a lil easier, I imagine.

Realistically, Holland's like the only dude man enough to take this fight anyways on this timeframe.

* Edited at 12.14.2023, 12:02 AM ET *

FORGET EVERYTHING I SAID💀i rewatched Covington - Masvidal n omg. Throw my pick in the trash💀. Colby’s striking is WORSE than Ryan Hall’s. I give bryce Mitchell a better chance at beating Leon rn. Everyone please rewatch R2. Colby clearly has pillow fists n he loves throwing this terrible head/body kick where he leaves himself exposed af. I like Colby’s TDs more than Usman’s BUT I ain’t realize Colby relies on the fence as well. No bueno. NO BUENO. Everything is changed now lmao. Usman actually had the power threat n TD threat. Colby is just a TD threat, but only against the fence. SO the new, OG pick is Leon edwards KO R1 or 2. I basically alr explained how I think he does it. Straight left counter down the pipe. I think kicks will get him taken down. Leon will see every sloppy ass strike Colby throws n will be ready to counter. We also seen how much Colby hated those leg kicks from Jorge. I think Leon uses his lateral movement n leg kicks to stay off the fence n snipe Colby till he find the KO. Forgive my mindless Colby pick earlier. 

Only reason I think Colby can possibly win is because “third times the charm” right? Only reason I’m scared to bet the fight no matter what I think😭3 title fights in this succession n losing all 3 would be pretty tough lol. 

Royval KO R1
I’ve literally only seen clips of Pantoja fight so all I rlly know about him is he has amazing bjj n good boxing. I love watching Royval n that Knee KO he got recently was beautiful. He also scrambled rlly well against Pantoja in their first fight. I always like taking the guy who lost to win the rematch, plus I’m biased towards Royval. Idk how tf this fight will play out but Im just hoping Royval can keep this standing long enough to get the KO

Leon vs Colby over 1.5
Tagir vs Cody over 1.5
Shavkat ML

You can throw a 4 digit on this parlay. Easy money!💰 

No replacement for the fight, fights off. Hopefully they rebook at a later date, I thought Luque had a chance to chin Garry.

Ian's succubus (wife) purposefully gave him the flu or just forbid him from fighting 😂

As per twitter Ian has herp did not know the new name for the that was pneumonia.

I heard the reason Ian pulled out is that Ian wife husband won’t let him out of the house past 7pm

* Edited at 12.14.2023, 2:18 AM ET *

Edwards vs. Covington
Colby Covington, DEC
That pace and pressure is gonna break Edwards. Colby will keep going for takedowns and Leon won't be able to handle it. Leon can starch and finish Colby but we've seen Colby go up against Usman twice and I just think it's gonna be too much for Edwards. Colby will get in his head.

Pantoja vs. Royval II
Alexandre Pantoja, SUB, R1
Pantoja rocks him early and the subs him. I like Royval a lot and he's extremely fun to watch but I don't see him ever becoming a champ.

Rakhmonov vs. Thompson
Shavkat Rakhmonov, SUB, R2
This fight will be close with the striking until Shavkat closes the distance and subs Thompson. I see it going like that. I don't like how Thompson looks on the ground at all. If Shavkat can't close the distance without getting hit hard then things are gonna get really interesting. That would be awesome to see Wonderboy win.

Ferguson vs. Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett, SUB, R2
Paddy is gonna sub Tony. I just want Tony to retire already because he has been washed even though Paddy is a big name that is beatable. Tony training with Goggins just aged him another 20 years and it'll be worse for him in this fight.

Emmett vs. Mitchell
Bryce Mitchell, DEC
I'm gonna take Mitchell by decision because I think he can control Emmett for however long he wants on the ground but I'm not confident in it. Bryce coming in on short notice is bad news and Josh has crazy power with a wrestling background too. This fight is gonna be interesting.

Aldana vs. Rosa
Irene Aldana, DEC
Aldana is gonna make this look easy. She looked terrible against the goat in her last fight but you can't really blame her. There is levels to this and I think it'll show here. Rosa has a nice record but she's just not that good and is really hittable too. Aldana all day.

Garbrandt vs. Kelleher
Cody Garbrandt, TKO, R1
I am not ready to say that Garbrandt is gonna lose to Kelleher and he won't. Garbrandt may have a glass chin but he will be fine here and I think he finishes Kelleher with something spectacular. Kelleher could finish him for sure but I just don't see it. I think the UFC is matching Cody up perfectly here and he was supposed to fight Yahya last time too. This sport is better with Cody in it and he's still only 32.

O'Neill vs. Lipski
Casey O'Neill, DEC
O'Neill overrated but I think she will win this due to the fact that she can mix in takedowns and I don't trust Lipski to be able to stuff them. Lipski will pick her apart standing but it probably won't be standing long. Close fight.

Menifield vs. Jacoby
Dustin Jacoby, TKO, R3
Jacoby wins this unless he gets knocked out early. Menifield is nothing but huge power and I think Jacoby will be able to stick to the outside and pick Menifield apart until he gasses and then Jacoby finishes him late with constant punches.

Ulanbekov vs. Durden
Tagir Ulanbekov, SUB, R1
I was gonna pick Durden because of his relentless pace and pressure but I just can't because I have a huge feeling he's gonna go for a takedown and get his neck snatched. It's coming.

Fili vs. Almeida
Andre Fili, DEC
I worry about Fili and his durability at this point but he has great striking and can mix in takedowns when needed. I'm not high on Almeida at all and unless Fili gets clipped I think he teaches Lucas a lesson.

Gaziev vs. Buday
Shamil Gaziev, SUB, R1
I think Gaziev gets Buday down and subs him. Buday is an ok heavyweight but he's nothing special. Gaziev should be able to win this one with one takedown or so.

Brown vs. Salikhov
Randy Brown, DEC
I can see so many outcomes here but I'm leaning towards Brown sticking to the outside with his range and picking Muslim apart. I can also see him subbing or knocking Muslim out. This fight is gonna be great but Muslim won't be able to close the distance on Randy and he's gonna get frustrated and finished.

Ian is not the most popular guy here is he lol?

Ah man mf’s pulled a five downcote special on me