Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Colby Covington
Uruguay plays host to an ESPN+ title fight this weekend, as one of the roster's most dominant champions looks to defend her belt. Jon Litterine makes his picks and breaks down four key fights.
Colby Covington may not be a fan favorite, but he set multiple records in Newark on Tuesday, plus gave fantasy owners the year's highest point total. Richard Mann takes a look at the numbers from UFC on ESPN 5.
After being set aside when the latest title shot came around, top 170-pound contender Colby Covington heads to Newark in hopes of making a statement. Jon Litterine breaks down this weekend's card on DraftKings.
Rafael dos Anjos continues his long road back to the title picture Saturday in San Antonio, where he enters as the betting underdog. Can he get the win? Jon Litterine breaks down the weekend's key fights.
Two heavyweights square off for the No. 1 contender spot Saturday in Minneapolis, where a pair of heavy hands could end the fight at any second. Jon Litterine breaks down four key bouts and makes his picks.
More Fantasy News
Confirmed for next title shot
UFC President Dana White confirmed Tuesday that Covington will get the next shot at welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
This was all but a forgone conclusion after Covington thoroughly dismantled former champion Robbie Lawler in Newark last weekend, logging 179 significant strikes and a whopping 10 takedowns in the five-round affair. That brought Covington's winning streak to seven, while his last five have all gone to the judges. Looking ahead to the Usman matchup, Covington will concede height and reach advantages to the champion, who also sports far better offensive and defensive striking numbers. Both offer wrestling as their greatest strength, but after registering 17 takedowns in his last two fights, Covington has the volume edge with 5.69 takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time. The undefeated Usman has yet to be taken down in 10 UFC fights, however, so he'll represent by far the toughest challenge Covington has ever faced in the Octagon. This could come down to striking if the two stalemate in the wrestling department. Neither have shown much knockout power to date, with three total finishes in 21 combined UFC fights. Stay tuned for an official announcement on the date and location, which will likely occur after Covington clears all post-fight medicals.
This was all but a forgone conclusion after Covington thoroughly dismantled former champion Robbie Lawler in Newark last weekend, logging 179 significant strikes and a whopping 10 takedowns in the five-round affair. That brought Covington's winning streak to seven, while his last five have all gone to the judges. Looking ahead to the Usman matchup, Covington will concede height and reach advantages to the champion, who also sports far better offensive and defensive striking numbers. Both offer wrestling as their greatest strength, but after registering 17 takedowns in his last two fights, Covington has the volume edge with 5.69 takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time. The undefeated Usman has yet to be taken down in 10 UFC fights, however, so he'll represent by far the toughest challenge Covington has ever faced in the Octagon. This could come down to striking if the two stalemate in the wrestling department. Neither have shown much knockout power to date, with three total finishes in 21 combined UFC fights. Stay tuned for an official announcement on the date and location, which will likely occur after Covington clears all post-fight medicals.
Rolls over Lawler, title shot next
Covington defeated Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-45, 50-45) at UFC on ESPN 5 on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey.
ANALYSIS
Covington's ability to make his opposition work is remarkable, and it's all the result of sheer effort and pace. He landed 10 takedowns on 18 attempts and attempted 564 total strikes compared to just 198 from Lawler. Every single time Robbie appeared to be gaining some steam at distance, Colby dragged him to the mat, and did so in a variety of different ways. In the instances in which he didn't have Lawler on the ground, Covington constantly had him pushed up against the fence. It's not a stretch to say that Colby fights to his strengths better than any fighter on the UFC roster. Covington isn't the best striker in the world, but he looks a whole lot better when he is pounding on his exhausted competition. It was a truly dominant effort and one that will assuredly result in Covington getting the next shot at Kamaru Usman's UFC Welterweight Championship. That fight will probably happen before the end of 2019 -- UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden on November 2 seems like a real possibility, and is legitimately one of the biggest and most intriguing bouts the UFC can book at the moment.
Covington's ability to make his opposition work is remarkable, and it's all the result of sheer effort and pace. He landed 10 takedowns on 18 attempts and attempted 564 total strikes compared to just 198 from Lawler. Every single time Robbie appeared to be gaining some steam at distance, Colby dragged him to the mat, and did so in a variety of different ways. In the instances in which he didn't have Lawler on the ground, Covington constantly had him pushed up against the fence. It's not a stretch to say that Colby fights to his strengths better than any fighter on the UFC roster. Covington isn't the best striker in the world, but he looks a whole lot better when he is pounding on his exhausted competition. It was a truly dominant effort and one that will assuredly result in Covington getting the next shot at Kamaru Usman's UFC Welterweight Championship. That fight will probably happen before the end of 2019 -- UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden on November 2 seems like a real possibility, and is legitimately one of the biggest and most intriguing bouts the UFC can book at the moment.
Draws Robbie Lawler in Newark main event
Covington has agreed to face Robbie Lawler in a welterweight matchup in the main event of UFC Newark on August 3, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Covington was awarded the interim belt at 170 pounds with a victory over Rafael dos Anjos in June of 2018, but has been on the sidelines since while awaiting his title shot. He was ultimately passed over in favor of Kamaru Usman, who hurt his knee in his victory over champion Tyron Woodley and is effectively sidelined until at least November. Rather than wait, Covington will accept a fight against an electrifying veteran and future hall-of-famer. He'll be the betting favorite in this one despite Lawler's status as a legend, as Lawler is 37 years old and has been fighting in absolute wars for the better part of the last two decades. Covington is a respectable enough striker, but look for his primary goal to be getting Lawler to the mat. He averages more than five takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time over a 10-fight UFC career, while Lawler's takedown defense sits at an average rate of 69 percent. Both men measure up at 5-11, with a two-inch reach advantage going to Lawler. Lawler has the experience, but Covington has youth and momentum on his side. There hasn't been word of late if Covington is still considered the division's interim champion, so it's unclear if any kind of belt will be on the line.
Covington was awarded the interim belt at 170 pounds with a victory over Rafael dos Anjos in June of 2018, but has been on the sidelines since while awaiting his title shot. He was ultimately passed over in favor of Kamaru Usman, who hurt his knee in his victory over champion Tyron Woodley and is effectively sidelined until at least November. Rather than wait, Covington will accept a fight against an electrifying veteran and future hall-of-famer. He'll be the betting favorite in this one despite Lawler's status as a legend, as Lawler is 37 years old and has been fighting in absolute wars for the better part of the last two decades. Covington is a respectable enough striker, but look for his primary goal to be getting Lawler to the mat. He averages more than five takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time over a 10-fight UFC career, while Lawler's takedown defense sits at an average rate of 69 percent. Both men measure up at 5-11, with a two-inch reach advantage going to Lawler. Lawler has the experience, but Covington has youth and momentum on his side. There hasn't been word of late if Covington is still considered the division's interim champion, so it's unclear if any kind of belt will be on the line.
Passed up for title shot
Covington (nose) will not get the next opportunity to fight for the welterweight title, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
While Covington still technically holds the interim belt, UFC brass ultimately decided to make Tyron Woodley vs. Kamaru Usman as the next title fight in the 170-pound division. That matchup will take place at UFC 235 on March 2 in Las Vegas. This makes the next step for Covington a bit unclear, though he'll likely have his sights set on Woodley when he's next available. The two have verbally sparred over social media for the better part of a year, so it was a bit surprising to not see Covington get this opportunity. Apparently, UFC brass did not appreciate Covington sitting on the sidelines waiting for Woodley, while Usman last fought in November and had been actively campaigning for another fight with a top contender. Covington will also miss out on what would have likely been a large pay-per-view share, as the event is scheduled to be headlined by a light heavyweight title matchup between Jon Jones and Anthony Smith.
While Covington still technically holds the interim belt, UFC brass ultimately decided to make Tyron Woodley vs. Kamaru Usman as the next title fight in the 170-pound division. That matchup will take place at UFC 235 on March 2 in Las Vegas. This makes the next step for Covington a bit unclear, though he'll likely have his sights set on Woodley when he's next available. The two have verbally sparred over social media for the better part of a year, so it was a bit surprising to not see Covington get this opportunity. Apparently, UFC brass did not appreciate Covington sitting on the sidelines waiting for Woodley, while Usman last fought in November and had been actively campaigning for another fight with a top contender. Covington will also miss out on what would have likely been a large pay-per-view share, as the event is scheduled to be headlined by a light heavyweight title matchup between Jon Jones and Anthony Smith.
Hopeful for early-2019 return
Covington (nose) told Luke Thomas on The MMA Hour that he is "100 percent healthy" and hasn't ruled out fighting at UFC 233 on January 26.
ANALYSIS
Covington underwent nasal surgery this summer following his win over Rafael dos Anjos, and while he was expected to be back in November, "Chaos" remains without a scheduled fight. The fight to make is clearly against champion Tyron Woodley to unify the welterweight belt, but Woodley is dealing with health issues of his own after undergoing hand surgery in October. Both are hopeful to share the cage in the first quarter of 2019, though UFC President Dana White has hinted at taking the division in another direction if his champion is unable to fight. Provided the fight does happen, early oddsmakers peg Covington as a betting underdog in roughly the (+130) to (+150) range.
Covington underwent nasal surgery this summer following his win over Rafael dos Anjos, and while he was expected to be back in November, "Chaos" remains without a scheduled fight. The fight to make is clearly against champion Tyron Woodley to unify the welterweight belt, but Woodley is dealing with health issues of his own after undergoing hand surgery in October. Both are hopeful to share the cage in the first quarter of 2019, though UFC President Dana White has hinted at taking the division in another direction if his champion is unable to fight. Provided the fight does happen, early oddsmakers peg Covington as a betting underdog in roughly the (+130) to (+150) range.