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Title fight scheduled
Covington will fight Leon Edwards at UFC 296, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
After being the backup for Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman's fight this past March, Covington will get his long-awaited shot at the welterweight title. The last time he fought, he defeated Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision after dropping back-to-back matches with Kamaru Usman.
After being the backup for Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman's fight this past March, Covington will get his long-awaited shot at the welterweight title. The last time he fought, he defeated Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision after dropping back-to-back matches with Kamaru Usman.
Backup for title fight
Covington made weight as the backup fighter for Saturday's welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards at UFC 286 in London, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Covington hasn't been in the Octagon since his unanimous decision victory over Jorge Masvidal in March of 2022, but he's in London this weekend as a reserve option for the welterweight title. He's unlikely to be needed with Usman and Edwards both weighing in at exactly 170 pounds with no apparent issues, but it's a good indication Covington is in line for another title shot versus whomever is victorious Saturday.
Covington hasn't been in the Octagon since his unanimous decision victory over Jorge Masvidal in March of 2022, but he's in London this weekend as a reserve option for the welterweight title. He's unlikely to be needed with Usman and Edwards both weighing in at exactly 170 pounds with no apparent issues, but it's a good indication Covington is in line for another title shot versus whomever is victorious Saturday.
Statement win over Jorge Masvidal
Covington defeated Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-44, 50-45) at UFC 272 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Covington continues to prove he is by far the best welterweight on the planet today not named Kamaru Usman. Outside of one knockdown from Masvidal late in Round 4, this fight wasn't the least bit competitive. Colby used his superior wrestling and exceptional gas tank to control Jorge along the fence and on the mat for extremely long stretches at a time. He was credited with six successful takedowns on 15 attempts, along with 16:14 worth of control time in the 25-minute bout. No fighter in the sport today is better conditioned than Covington, and no fighter in the sport today is better equipped to use pace to their advantage. Colby cut a heel promo and asked for a fight against Dustin Poirier in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. That probably isn't the route the UFC wants to go, but stranger things have happened. Colby's biggest concern at the moment should be channeling all his energy in hopes that whoever Usman's next title challenger is takes the belt from him. Covington has already lost to Kamaru twice and it seems highly unlikely the UFC will be pushing for a third bout between the two any time soon. In the meantime, Covington will also take home an extra $50,000 after this matchup was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Covington continues to prove he is by far the best welterweight on the planet today not named Kamaru Usman. Outside of one knockdown from Masvidal late in Round 4, this fight wasn't the least bit competitive. Colby used his superior wrestling and exceptional gas tank to control Jorge along the fence and on the mat for extremely long stretches at a time. He was credited with six successful takedowns on 15 attempts, along with 16:14 worth of control time in the 25-minute bout. No fighter in the sport today is better conditioned than Covington, and no fighter in the sport today is better equipped to use pace to their advantage. Colby cut a heel promo and asked for a fight against Dustin Poirier in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. That probably isn't the route the UFC wants to go, but stranger things have happened. Colby's biggest concern at the moment should be channeling all his energy in hopes that whoever Usman's next title challenger is takes the belt from him. Covington has already lost to Kamaru twice and it seems highly unlikely the UFC will be pushing for a third bout between the two any time soon. In the meantime, Covington will also take home an extra $50,000 after this matchup was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Headlining against Jorge Masvidal
Covington will headline UFC 272 in Las Vegas on March 5 against Jorge Masvidal, Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Covington has won eight fights in a row against opponents not named Kamaru Usman, but he's dropped fights against Usman in two of his last three trips to the Octagon. Masvidal has also had rough luck against Usman recently, losing to the welterweight champion in both of his last two fights, but that followed a three-fight winning streak.
Covington has won eight fights in a row against opponents not named Kamaru Usman, but he's dropped fights against Usman in two of his last three trips to the Octagon. Masvidal has also had rough luck against Usman recently, losing to the welterweight champion in both of his last two fights, but that followed a three-fight winning streak.
Shows well in title defeat
Covington again came up short in his quest for the UFC Welterweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Kamaru Usman via unanimous decision (47-48, 47-48, 46-49) at UFC 268 in New York City.
ANALYSIS
Covington isn't going to be happy with his performance, but he deserves a ton of credit for turning this into a legitimate battle after no-showing the first two rounds. It was clear early on that Covington was worried about the power of Usman. He was hesitant to consistently engage and did everything possible to avoid big movements which would leave him open to a counter. Colby appeared to be finished in Round 2, suffering multiple knockdowns and being saved by the bell, but he somehow staggered through Round 3 before really picking up the pace over the final ten minutes. The shots that weren't being thrown in the first couple rounds were landing in Rounds 4 and 5. Ultimately, it wasn't enough, but Covington showed his toughness and abilities once again despite the setback. Colby is quite likely the second best welterweight in the world today, but he has now suffered back-to-back defeats to the champion in his division, and that makes his road back to a title shot all the more difficult.
Covington isn't going to be happy with his performance, but he deserves a ton of credit for turning this into a legitimate battle after no-showing the first two rounds. It was clear early on that Covington was worried about the power of Usman. He was hesitant to consistently engage and did everything possible to avoid big movements which would leave him open to a counter. Colby appeared to be finished in Round 2, suffering multiple knockdowns and being saved by the bell, but he somehow staggered through Round 3 before really picking up the pace over the final ten minutes. The shots that weren't being thrown in the first couple rounds were landing in Rounds 4 and 5. Ultimately, it wasn't enough, but Covington showed his toughness and abilities once again despite the setback. Colby is quite likely the second best welterweight in the world today, but he has now suffered back-to-back defeats to the champion in his division, and that makes his road back to a title shot all the more difficult.