Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Colby Covington
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Woodley fight all but done
Covington (15-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) is set to fight Tyron Woodley (19-5-1MMA, 9-4-1 UFC) at UFC on ESPN+ 30 on Aug. 22 as soon as Woodley signs and agrees to the deal, Nolan King of MMA Junkie reports.
ANALYSIS
UFC President Dana White spoke to reporters Friday and did state that the fight between Covington and Woodley is just waiting on the agreement of Woodley and his team. The 38-year-old expressed his desire to square off with Covington after he held is own against current Welterweight Champ Kamaru Usman back in December. It is unclear what is currently withholding the bout from becoming official, but both fighters will look to get back in the win column if and when this matchup comes to fruition.
UFC President Dana White spoke to reporters Friday and did state that the fight between Covington and Woodley is just waiting on the agreement of Woodley and his team. The 38-year-old expressed his desire to square off with Covington after he held is own against current Welterweight Champ Kamaru Usman back in December. It is unclear what is currently withholding the bout from becoming official, but both fighters will look to get back in the win column if and when this matchup comes to fruition.
Parts ways with ATT
Covington (jaw) is no longer a member of American Top Team, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
It's difficult to distinguish Covington's gimmick from legitimate feuds these days, though he's publicly traded inflammatory remarks with several members of the Florida-based gym in recent months. It's unclear how much that may have contributed to his departure. Covington's next move is uncertain, though ATT is highly regarded as one of the best gyms in the world and will surely be difficult to replace. Covington has yet to schedule a bout since falling to Kamaru Usman in a match for the welterweight title last December, due at least in part to a long medical suspension issued after that bout. He remains among the elite fighters at welterweight, and may even be a candidate to take on the winner of Saturday's main event between Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns. The UFC could also elect to book a rematch against Usman, given the epic war that fight turned out to be.
It's difficult to distinguish Covington's gimmick from legitimate feuds these days, though he's publicly traded inflammatory remarks with several members of the Florida-based gym in recent months. It's unclear how much that may have contributed to his departure. Covington's next move is uncertain, though ATT is highly regarded as one of the best gyms in the world and will surely be difficult to replace. Covington has yet to schedule a bout since falling to Kamaru Usman in a match for the welterweight title last December, due at least in part to a long medical suspension issued after that bout. He remains among the elite fighters at welterweight, and may even be a candidate to take on the winner of Saturday's main event between Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns. The UFC could also elect to book a rematch against Usman, given the epic war that fight turned out to be.
Planning 2021 move to WWE
Covington (jaw) said Thursday in a video interview with Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com that he would like to transition from the UFC to the WWE at some point next year. "I would say probably 2021," Covington said. "Not this summer, but next summer. I've been practicing moves and really working on my promo and mic skills and just control and slowing things down and understanding the art of wrestling."
ANALYSIS
As he pursues an eventual move to professional wrestling, Covington (15-2-0) has already been in touch with former UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, who made the jump to the WWE in 2018. Covington's brash, over-the-top persona would seemingly make him a natural fit in the WWE, but his contract status with the UFC means that he'll likely need permission from president Dana White to partake in any WWE events. The 32-year-old Covington is currently recovering from a fractured jaw suffered in his UFC 245 loss to Kamaru Usman back in December, but he's expected to be ready to return to the Octagon at some point in 2020.
As he pursues an eventual move to professional wrestling, Covington (15-2-0) has already been in touch with former UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, who made the jump to the WWE in 2018. Covington's brash, over-the-top persona would seemingly make him a natural fit in the WWE, but his contract status with the UFC means that he'll likely need permission from president Dana White to partake in any WWE events. The 32-year-old Covington is currently recovering from a fractured jaw suffered in his UFC 245 loss to Kamaru Usman back in December, but he's expected to be ready to return to the Octagon at some point in 2020.
Receives suspension Monday
Covington has received a 180-day medical suspension for his nondisplaced midline mandibular fracture, Nolan King of MMA Junkie reports.
ANALYSIS
Covington fractured his jaw during Round 3 of Saturday's defeat by Kamaru Usman, but he still managed to make it to Round 5 of the fight, a testament to the welterweight. He'll now have to get cleared by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon before he can return to the Octagon.
Covington fractured his jaw during Round 3 of Saturday's defeat by Kamaru Usman, but he still managed to make it to Round 5 of the fight, a testament to the welterweight. He'll now have to get cleared by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon before he can return to the Octagon.
Drops war to Kamaru Usman
Covington came up just short in his quest for the UFC Welterweight Championship, falling to Kamaru Usman via TKO (punches) at 4:10 of Round 5 at UFC 245 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
What a fight. All things considered, it's nothing short of a miracle that Covington found himself with a legitimate chance to win this fight entering Round 5. For one, Colby -- who is one of the best wrestlers we have ever seen inside the Octagon -- didn't go for a single takedown in the 24-plus minute bout. In fact, neither man attempted a takedown. Few people would have thought Covington could compete in an extended kickboxing match with Usman. Yet not only did he compete, he excelled at times. If that wasn't enough, Colby told his corner he broke his jaw in Round 3. Assuming that's true, his ability to survive the entirety of Round 4 and nearly all of Round 5 is one of the most remarkable feats we have seen in recent memory. When it was all said and done, the two were each awarded a $50,000 bonus after this bout was named Fight of the Night. Say what you want at Colby and his antics outside the Octagon, but the guy is a legitimate elite fighter. It's quite clear that these are the two best welterweights on the planet. The odds are extremely high that we haven't heard the last from these two. The seem likely to meet up again at some point down the road.
What a fight. All things considered, it's nothing short of a miracle that Covington found himself with a legitimate chance to win this fight entering Round 5. For one, Colby -- who is one of the best wrestlers we have ever seen inside the Octagon -- didn't go for a single takedown in the 24-plus minute bout. In fact, neither man attempted a takedown. Few people would have thought Covington could compete in an extended kickboxing match with Usman. Yet not only did he compete, he excelled at times. If that wasn't enough, Colby told his corner he broke his jaw in Round 3. Assuming that's true, his ability to survive the entirety of Round 4 and nearly all of Round 5 is one of the most remarkable feats we have seen in recent memory. When it was all said and done, the two were each awarded a $50,000 bonus after this bout was named Fight of the Night. Say what you want at Colby and his antics outside the Octagon, but the guy is a legitimate elite fighter. It's quite clear that these are the two best welterweights on the planet. The odds are extremely high that we haven't heard the last from these two. The seem likely to meet up again at some point down the road.