Colby Covington
Chaos
USA
No-shows Tampa main event
Covington lost to Joaquin Buckley via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 4:42 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Tampa, Florida.
ANALYSIS
Covington certainly appeared to be a live underdog in this fight on the strength of his wrestling and elite cardio. Buckley has a history of gassing out, and Colby may have been able to take advantage of that. It never materialized. Set to turn 37 years old in February, Covington looks like a shell of his former self. He's getting hit more than ever and appears to have less energy than ever. He was credited with one successful takedown on eight attempts. Colby was hammered on the feet throughout the bout, and the doctor finally pulled the plug late in Round 3 after referee Dan Miragliotta asked her to look at Covington's damaged eye. What's next for Colby remains to be seen, but he's no longer in the title conversation at 170 pounds.
Covington certainly appeared to be a live underdog in this fight on the strength of his wrestling and elite cardio. Buckley has a history of gassing out, and Colby may have been able to take advantage of that. It never materialized. Set to turn 37 years old in February, Covington looks like a shell of his former self. He's getting hit more than ever and appears to have less energy than ever. He was credited with one successful takedown on eight attempts. Colby was hammered on the feet throughout the bout, and the doctor finally pulled the plug late in Round 3 after referee Dan Miragliotta asked her to look at Covington's damaged eye. What's next for Colby remains to be seen, but he's no longer in the title conversation at 170 pounds.
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Booked for UFC Tampa
Covington will fight Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa on Dec. 14, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Covington will act as a replacement for Ian Garry, who has been added to the card for UFC 310 against Shavkat Rakhmonov. The 36-year-old Covington dropped his most recent bout against Leon Edwards and has lost three of his last five, so momentum will certainly not be on his side against Buckley, who has won five straight fights.
Covington will act as a replacement for Ian Garry, who has been added to the card for UFC 310 against Shavkat Rakhmonov. The 36-year-old Covington dropped his most recent bout against Leon Edwards and has lost three of his last five, so momentum will certainly not be on his side against Buckley, who has won five straight fights.
No-shows title fight
Covington came up short in his quest for the UFC Welterweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Leon Edwards via unanimous decision (46-49, 46-49, 46-49) at UFC 296 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Covington hadn't fought in more than a year and a half, but it might as well been 20 years. This was one of the worst performances we have seen in a title fight in recent memory. Colby thrives on pace, but he spent nearly all of this one standing around and doing nothing. In the rare instances in which he was able to get Leon to the mat, the latter managed to get back up. Octagon rust is a real thing, but Covington looked so bad in this fight it makes you wonder if he entered with some sort of a serious injury. He didn't mention anything in his post-fight interview and said he felt fine, which is baffling. Colby will be 36 years of age next February. His shtick only works if he's winning fights. He has now come up short in three title fights and has exactly one victory dating back to September 2020. That was over the since-retired Jorge Masvidal.
Covington hadn't fought in more than a year and a half, but it might as well been 20 years. This was one of the worst performances we have seen in a title fight in recent memory. Colby thrives on pace, but he spent nearly all of this one standing around and doing nothing. In the rare instances in which he was able to get Leon to the mat, the latter managed to get back up. Octagon rust is a real thing, but Covington looked so bad in this fight it makes you wonder if he entered with some sort of a serious injury. He didn't mention anything in his post-fight interview and said he felt fine, which is baffling. Colby will be 36 years of age next February. His shtick only works if he's winning fights. He has now come up short in three title fights and has exactly one victory dating back to September 2020. That was over the since-retired Jorge Masvidal.
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.