Saturday College Football Bowl Game Parlays
December 13, 2023
New York Sports Betting Sets National Record
December 13, 2023
We get a pair of title fights on Saturday at UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington, as in the main event it will be Leon Edwards defending his welterweight title against Colby Covington, while the co-main event has Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight title against Brandon Royval. There are a total of 14 fights on the card with the main card having fight fights being shown on Pay-Per-View. The other nine fights are being shown on ESPN2, ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. UFC 296 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, December 16.
Edwards vs. Covington Odds at BetRivers
Leon Edwards -159
Colby Covington +128
To Go the Distance
Yes -195
No +145
Edwards is 21-3 in his career, including 13-2 in the UFC. He has been excellent of late with six wins and no losses. He has not lost a fight since 2015. He doesn’t have a ton of power, as he has seven wins by TKO/KO and three by submission.
Edwards is the current champion and he has a lot of confidence. “I think once you become a champion it cements the confidence you had in yourself and your team,” Edwards said to the media, “I think that’s what it is, my confidence has grown leaps and bounds. It all confirms it, what you’re doing in the gym is right, the team you’re with is right and everything you’ve been thinking over the years, that you’re going be world champion, it confirms it all, so I feel that’s the difference. I’m on an 11-fight win streak – one of the longest in the UFC in general, so I feel if I go out there, keep adding these new guys to my reign, when it’s all said and done, I think I’ll go down as one of the best of all time.”
Covington is 17-3 in his career, including 12-3 in the UFC. He is 4-2 in his last six fights. He also doesn’t have a lot of power, with four wins by TKO/KO and four by submission.
Covington said that despite his layoff, he is in great shape. “I don’t think any man alive has the discipline or heart that I have,” said Covington to the media, “When guys are finished with their workout and looking at their phones, that’s when I am putting in the extra work. A lot of it comes from mindset. My mind is so unbelievably strong. I feel I’m unbreakable. On Saturday night, I’m going to break Leon. He’s a tin man. The dog in me is going to come out, and I’m going to bring out the quitter in him. I never wanted a participation trophy. I’m not the biggest, I’m not the strongest, but I am the nastiest. My body is a vessel. I’ve been delayed, but on Saturday night, I will not be denied.”
Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Edwards 2.80 / Covington 4.10
Striking Accuracy: Edwards 53% / Covington 39%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Edwards 2.40 / Covington 3.05
Defense: Edwards 53% / Covington 55%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Edwards 1.26 / Covington 4.05
Takedown Accuracy: Edwards 33% / Covington 45%
Takedowns defended: Edwards 69% / Covington 72%
Submission average: Edwards 0.3/ Covington 0.2
UFC 296 Picks
On paper this fight looks like it should go to Edwards. He is on a long winning streak, is the current champion and he has more ways to win than does Covington. Even the price seems reasonable. My first inclination is to take Edwards and I think he will win, but when something looks too easy, it gives me pause. This would not be the first time a champion was favored and looked like he would win and then didn’t. I won’t argue with anyone that takes Edwards, but I think the rounds may be the better play. Neither of these two fighters has much power so a finish seems unlikely. I think the fight will go to a decision so I will lay the price on that prop for Saturday night.
Check out the latest UFC odds at BetRivers.
