16 December 2023 , 07:00
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Paddy Pimblett makes his octagon return tonight after a year lay-off when he fights Tony Ferguson at UFC 296.
'The Baddy' hasn't fought since his controversial decision win against Jared Gordon last December. Pimblett broke his ankle in the opening round of the fight as he won on points in "one of the worst UFC decisions ever". The Scouser was expected to fight again earlier this year but his return was delayed due to complications from his ankle surgery.
Ferguson once held the record for the longest winning streak in UFC lightweight history, but 'El Cucuy' is now on a dismal six-fight losing skid. The former interim world champion, who turns 40 in a few months, has been stopped in four of those past six losses. So here's all you need to know about their fight...
What time is the Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson fight?
Ring walks for the title clash between Edwards and Covington in the main event of UFC 296 are expected to take place at around 5am UK time, with the fight getting underway shortly after that. This fight time is likely to change depending on the length of the main card fights taking place before the headlining act, especially with a five-round flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royal in the co-main event.
How to watch on Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson TV and via live stream
UFC 296 will be shown exclusively live on TNT Sports with the preliminary card beginning at 1am UK time on Sunday morning whilst the main card will get underway at 3am. The early preliminary card is only available to watch on UFC Fight Pass. UK viewers with a subscription to TNT Sports will not need to pay an additional pay-per-view fee to watch the event. You can also watch the fights via the Discovery+ app, which is available to download on mobile, tablet, select streaming devices, games consoles, and smart TVs.
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Who wins at UFC 296 - Paddy Pimblett or Tony Ferguson? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
Full fight card
Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington - for Edwards’ UFC welterweight title
Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval - for Pantoja’s UFC flyweight title
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen Thompson
Paddy Pimblett vs Tony Ferguson
Josh Emmett vs Bryce Mitchell
Preliminary card
Alonzo Menifield vs Dustin Jacoby
Irene Aldana vs Karol Rosa
Cody Garbrandt vs Brian Kelleher
Conor McGregor accused of "chickening out" of UFC fight ahead of comeback
Casey O'Neill vs Ariane Lipski
Early preliminary card
Tagir Ulanbekov vs Cody Durden
Andre Fili vs Lucas Almeida
Martin Buday vs Shamil Gaziev
Odds
Pimblett 4/11
Ferguson 9/4
Quotes corner
Pimblett: "I will never say no to a fight so when Tony's name was on the contract I signed it. It's an honour to be able to fight him, he is one the best lightweights of all time. When I was a kid and first training MMA, I was watching him in the UFC back then. I want to see Tony go out on a win, but I can't let him do it at my expense.
Ferguson: "I don't pay attention to the bull****. I just know that he talks a lot and I can't understand him half the time. I don't give a f***, I really don't. I'm not here to entertain him, the last time I entertained a young fighter he dotted me. I'm not taking it easy on anybody or sandbagging, I'm here and back to where I need to be."