Edwards, the reigning middleweight champion, is down to face Third ranked Colby Covington in the main event on the 15 fight-card at  at T Mobile Arena.

The 32 year old Edwards who is making a second title defense, was last in action in March, where he beat the former champion Kamaru Usman by majority decision in the highly anticipated trilogy fight at UFC 286 in London.

Edwards in looking ahead says he will be under less pressure to perform.

the co-main event of UFC 296 will see Alexandre Pantoja putting his flyweight belt on the line against a familiar foe, Brandon Royval.