BREAKING: Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson, Stephen Thompson vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov added to already-stacked UFC card for end-of-the-year

By Ujwal Jain

Modified Sep 23, 2023 03:16 GMT

Shavkat Rakhmonov (left) Paddy Pimblett (center) Stephen Thompson (right) [Image courtesy @wonderboymma @shavkatrakhmonov94 @theufcbaddy on Instagram]

The highly coveted UFC 296 fight card is turning out to be an absolute banger. Earlier today, the promotion's CEO, Dana White, announced Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson and Stephen Thompson vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov as new additions to the fight card.

Pimblett is currently on a six-fight win streak (four in the UFC) and holds a record of 20-3. Ferguson, 25-9, is a former interim lightweight champion and holds wins against the likes of Rafael dos Anjos, Kevin Lee, and Anthony Pettis.

The undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov (17-0) is 5-0 in the UFC. In his most recent fight, 'The Nomad' defeated Geoff Neal via a third-round submission.

Former two-time welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson holds a record of 17-6. He holds wins against many MMA elites, including Jorge Masvidal, Vicente Luque, and Robert Whittaker.

The fight night will be headlined by the welterweight clash between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington. A flyweight title clash between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval has also been confirmed for the fight card.

UFC 296 is scheduled for Saturday, December 16, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Fighters react to Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson fight announcement

The recent Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson fight announcement for UFC 296 has taken the MMA world by surprise, with fighters flooding social media noting their two cents on the match-up.

UFC lightweight star Renato Mociano wrote: