It’s been a year of upheaval in the UFC. All told, the company has crowned 11 champions in 2023–with UFC 296’s twin-bill of title fights still on deck this Saturday. Can Colby Covington finally breakthrough and become undisputed welterweight champion with a win over Leon Edwards? Can Brandon Royval unseat newly-minted men’s flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja? Oddsmakers say these fights will be close. Will it continue to be a bad year for sitting champions?
Plus, big fights for Shavkat Rakhmonov, Paddy Pimblett and Ian (whispers) MACHADO Garry.