The highly anticipated UFC 296 event is set to take place this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Headlining the event will be a welterweight title fight between reigning champion Leon Edwards and Colby Covington, marking the first 170-pound title bout not featuring Kamaru Usman since 2018.

Usman, who has had memorable battles against both Edwards and Covington, believes that Covington holds a higher star power than Edwards. He commended Covington's ability to make people feel a certain way about him and the impact he has on a room. Usman acknowledged the different approach that both Edwards and Covington have to face him, highlighting the wrestling skills of Covington and the striking power of Edwards.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting this matchup, particularly expecting a display of ground skills between two accomplished wrestlers. However, their previous encounters have mostly been intense slugfests with limited grappling exchanges. Usman, known for his finishing ability, holds the advantage in that aspect.

One significant factor to consider is Covington's near two-year absence from the octagon. His last victory came in March 2022 against Jorge Masvidal. Usman questions which version of Covington will show up on fight night – the one who fought him in their first encounter or a rejuvenated, improved fighter. Edwards, on the other hand, is riding high on his confidence and believes he is currently the best welterweight in the world.

Despite the layoff, oddsmakers have given Covington a solid chance of pulling off the upset, placing him as a +165 underdog to Edwards' -190 favorite. Usman, the only one who has defeated Covington atop the division, believes that if Covington is unaffected by the time away, we may witness a new champion being crowned.

The clash between Edwards and Covington has stirred excitement and debate among fans and experts alike. Stephen Thompson, an analyst, has explained why he believes Edwards will come out victorious, while Edwards himself has compared Covington's trash-talking to a character from the movie "American Pie."

As UFC 296 approaches, the stakes and anticipation for this main event continue to grow. Jon Anik, a commentator for the UFC, has described the matchup as "fascinating," considering the accomplishments and styles of both fighters. The assigned referees and judges for the title fights have also been announced.

In other news, Miles Johns, a UFC fighter, has been suspended for 4.5 months following a positive drug test, although his win still stands. Additionally, Tony Ferguson has been linked to a potential fight against Paddy Pimblett, seen by many as the most beatable opponent with a significant draw.

As fight night nears, MMA enthusiasts eagerly await the clash between Edwards and Covington to determine the next welterweight champion – a battle sure to be remembered in the annals of UFC history.