It's pretty crazy that we're already starting to discuss the final event of 2023, yet here we are halfway through the year, and the rumors are starting to arise. Let's go over all the speculations surrounding UFC 296.
Although the current date is unknown, we know it will take place in the middle of December, and much like the last four years (except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic), UFC 296 is rumored to be held in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The T-Mobile has hosted many historic events like UFC 245: Usman vs. Covington and UFC 226: Miocic vs. Cormier. It also hosted the historic UFC 229 event, where Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor fought for the undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship. Other fighters like Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, Nate Diaz, and Jon Jones have also fought in the T-Mobile.
Confirmed Fights
There are no confirmed fights for UFC 296, but check this space regularly for all fight announcements surrounding this event.
Rumored Bouts
The only rumored bout for UFC 296 is the highly anticipated showdown between the former UFC Champ-Champ Conor McGregor and the former 3x Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler. The bout initially came into fruition when Chandler called out McGregor in 2021 and then again in 2022. The two are participating in the 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter, and the date of the fight is meant to be released during the series airing. Both men have lost their last two fights, meaning a victory and loss could make or break their careers.
The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.
— Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) April 5, 2023
He's lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.#UFC287 pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v
Betting Odds
The odds for the main event have been released, and they're as tight as you can get. Conor McGregor opened as the underdog at +130 but has since crept up to a -110 favorite, as opposed to Michael Chandler, who started as the -130 favorite but now stands as the slight underdog at +110. The odds reflect how unpredictable and explosive this fight will be, and we'll likely see the lines stay very close over time.
We'll keep this space updated with all the information that surfaces, so make sure to check back so you can get all the information for the biggest event of 2023. As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know who you think will win the bout between McGregor and Chandler in the comments below.
