Major Upset Set For UFC 296

An upset is brewing on the UFC 296 card

Upset Brewing at UFC 296

The MMA Notebook runs every Friday.

Shavkat Rakhmonov did not look elite this past March when he defeated Geoff Neal.

What is going to happen tomorrow when he faces Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson?

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

The Rakhmonov-Thompson welterweight bout adds to tomorrow’s UFC 296 card. Rakhmonov (17-0) seeks to extend his undefeated streak, while the 40-year-old Thompson looks to add a final masterpiece to his Hall of Fame career.

Contents

1. Paddy Pimblett has plans for Christmas dinner
2. The Pick ‘Em Section

Thompson (17-6-1) is the clear underdog here, but there are paths to victory. Though he is 11 years older than the 29-year-old Rakhmonov, cardio will not be a factor for Thompson. He enters this bout frustrated after getting passed over during the summer, missing out on a payday when Michel Pereira weighed in three pounds over the limit before they were supposed to fight in July.

Rakhmonov has a 100 percent finishing rate. But he won’t finish this bout, not if Thompson is able to keep him on his feet. Thompson’s footwork and movement are elite, and they represent a new challenger for Rakhmonov, who has yet to face a kickboxer of Thompson’s caliber.

The UFC needs a big upset to end the year. Thompson still has one more career-defining win in him, and the matchup plays in his favor at UFC 296.

I can picture it now: high above a castle made of clouds, Thompson sitting atop a castle made of clouds. I’m going all-in on Wonderboy.

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Paddy Pimblett has plans for Christmas dinner

For the second December in a row, Paddy Pimblett is on a fight card.

Pimblett fights Tony Ferguson tomorrow at UFC 296. He looks to increase his winning streak to seven, which would likely spell the end of the iconic Ferguson in the UFC as it would mark his seventh loss in a row.

Fighting early in the month frees Pimblett up to enjoy Christmas, a holiday where he likes to enjoy all the fixings.

“I always want to fight in late November or early December,” said Pimblett. “I can’t diet over Christmas. That’s not happening.”

This year in the Pimblett house, a roast dinner will be the crown jewel of Christmas dinner.

“Turkey, nice crispy roast potatoes, some mash, and Yorkshire pudding,” said Pimblett. “I love a roast dinner.”

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The Pick ‘Em Section

UFC 296 welterweight title bout: Leon Edwards (c) vs. Colby Covington

Pick: Leon Edwards

UFC 296 flyweight title bout: Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Brandon Royval

Pick: Alexandre Pantoja

UFC 296 welterweight bout: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson

Pick: Stephen Thompson

Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett

Pick: Paddy Pimblett

UFC 296 featherweight bout: Josh Emmett vs. Bryce Mitchell

Pick: Bryce Mitchell

Last week: 4-1

2023 record: 139-83