Stephen Thompson predicts that Leon Edwards will retain his welterweight title in the UFC 296 fight against Colby Covington, citing Edwards’ superior striking skills and ability to stay standing.
Stephen Thompson has a prediction for UFC 296. He’s betting on hearing “And Still” at the end of the night.
Thompson knows a thing or two about UFC title fights. He’s been in the ring himself, after all. This time, he’s backing Leon Edwards to keep his welterweight title. Edwards is up against Colby Covington on Dec. 16, and it’s all going down at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Edwards is no newbie to defending his title. He’s already had one successful defense, a decision win over Kamaru Usman. That was back in March, a trilogy bout that had everyone on the edge of their seats.
Thompson shared his thoughts on the upcoming fight on a recent episode of The MMA Hour. “I like Leon,” he said. And why wouldn’t he? We all saw what happened when Covington went up against Usman.
Covington, Thompson pointed out, didn’t suffer a severe knockout from Usman. But looking back at the fight, he feels that Edwards has the edge. He’s the bigger welterweight, according to Thompson.
Thompson’s prediction? The fight will stay standing. Even Usman couldn’t keep Edwards down. And in the first fight, Edwards managed to take down Usman, something Covington struggled with.
Thompson’s got some experience with UFC title fights. He’s had two of them. He fought Tyron Woodley to a majority draw at UFC 205, and then lost a majority decision to Woodley at UFC 209. He’s also set to compete at UFC 296, where he’ll be up against Shavkat Rakhmonov, an undefeated welterweight contender.
Thompson’s fight with Rakhmonov is expected to be a striking vs. wrestling showdown. He thinks that contrast will also play a role in the main event.
“Leon is definitely the better striker,” Thompson said. But he acknowledged that Covington has one advantage: cardio. If Covington can stay in Edwards’ face and keep up the pressure, it could be a game-changer. But that’s a risky strategy against a fighter like Edwards.
Edwards is dangerous from start to finish. We saw that in his first title fight with Usman. He’s just as threatening in the first round as he is in the last. And that, Thompson said, is scary.
Thompson’s final prediction? Edwards will keep the fight standing. And he’ll win it standing up. After all, he’s the better striker.