Colby Covington

Despite Leon Edwards’ win at UFC 263, Colby Covington still next for the title

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This past Saturday on the main card of UFC 263, top welterweight contender Leon Edwards (19-3, 1 NC) took on Nate Diaz (20-13). The two men fought in the first non-title and non-main event five-round fight in UFC history.

Edwards put on an incredible performance for the majority of the fight. He used a steady diet of leg kicks, sweeps, and elbows to get the better of Nate Diaz. However, late in the fight, Diaz landed a shot that almost changed everything.

Through 24 minutes, Leon Edwards was dominant. Then, with a minute to go in the fight, Diaz landed a beautiful 1-2 that almost put Edwards out. Edwards looked out on his feet, but was able to survive the last sixty seconds. That shot lands at the beginning of the round at UFC 263 and Nate Diaz likely wins that fight.

However, Edwards survived and got the decision win. With that victory, Edwards is now 9-0, 1 NC in his last ten fights. The one No Contest was a fight he was dominating but ended due to an accidental eye poke to Belal Muhammad. It would’ve likely been another victory for Edwards.

Having gone on this impressive streak, Leon Edwards is wanting a UFC title shot. However, it doesn’t appear that he’s getting it next. Dana White reiterated after the event that Colby Covington (16-2) is next for Kamaru Usman (19-1). Covington also confirmed that with Submission Radio today. 

UFC booking the rematch between Usman and Covington

The UFC has never wavered in their plans for the welterweight title. After Kamaru Usman knocked out Jorge Masvidal, Dana White made it very clear that Colby Covington would be next. Many wondered if that would still be the case after UFC 263.

While the fight still isn’t booked, the UFC has reiterated to Covington and the public that Colby Covington is next. Kamaru Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, tweeted out that Leon Edwards should be next given his current streak.

However, that is not what the UFC is pushing for. Usman and his manager have been vocal about the fact that Colby Covington doesn’t deserve another shot. That said, what hurts his argument is the fact that he gave Masvidal a rematch despite Masvidal staying inactive after Usman defeated him the first time.

At the moment, there appears to be no momentum in booking this fight. However, I think it’s going to come together rather quickly. If I had to guess, I think September or October is likely for the rematch between Usman and Covington. Yes, Leon Edwards is deserving, but it’s not the fight that should be made next.

UFC: Colby Covington says Kamaru Usman doing everything he can to avoid their rematch

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When you think about the next UFC welterweight title fight, there is really only one fight that makes sense. There is one fight that needs to be made and that’s the fight that should be made.

That fight is the rematch between the champion Kamaru Usman (19-1) and the former interim champion Colby Covington (16-2). The two men previously fought back at UFC 245 and it was one of the best welterweight title fights of all time.

Personally, I had the fight 2-2 going into the final round. One judge had Covington up 3-1, one judge had Usman up 3-1, and the third judge had it tied at 2-2. The final round was going to decide the fight, but if it would’ve hit the cards, it would have been a split decision either way.

Ultimately, Usman dropped Covington at UFC 245 and the referee called a stop to the action and the stoppage was immediately protested by Covington. I can see both sides of the argument. It looked like a fair stoppage, but in the final round of a title fight, I’d like to have seen it go a bit longer.

Regardless, Kamaru Usman would’ve won at UFC 245 given his performance in the final round. Usman has since defended his title three times and Covington has a dominant win over Tyron Woodley. Dana White has said the rematch is next, but there’s been a delay in the process and we still don’t have a date for it.

What’s delaying the UFC in finalizing this rematch?

In speaking with Helen Yee Sports this week, Colby Covington has said that he’s told the UFC he’s ready to go whenever. Covington said, “There’s been an offer. Dana and Hunter Campbell know that I’ve agreed. I said, ‘Whenever you want. It doesn’t matter, I’m ready’.”

White has also hinted that Covington has been eager to getting this fight finalized. With that said, the delay is coming from Kamaru Usman’s camp. Why is this fight taking so long to come together? Well, I personally think there are a couple of factors.

There is a very strong hatred between Usman’s camp and Colby Covington. The UFC champion’s manager has said that Covington doesn’t deserve to fight for the title next. Usman was willing to fight Michael Chiesa next, but still hasn’t accepted the Covington rematch.

There’s also speculation that Usman is waiting for UFC 263. Next weekend, Nate Diaz and Leon Edwards will fight in a five-round fight. Whoever wins that will be squarely in the title picture. If Nate Diaz wins, that becomes a big money fight for the UFC champion.

Let me be clear, I don’t think Kamaru Usman is ducking Colby Covington. However, I do believe that he understands that Covington is by far his toughest fight at 170 pounds. Usman would be the favorite, but no matter how you slice it, it’s a very tough fight.

If he gets the chance to make a ton of money fighting Nate Diaz, I think he’d prefer doing that before fighting Covington again. However, I ultimately believe the UFC is going to force their hand in this one. No matter what happens next week, I fully expect Colby Covington to get the next title shot.

UFC: Colby Covington said defeating GSP would be ‘Extremely Easy’

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UFC, Colby Covington

UFC fans all around the world constantly debate who would win if you paired up champions of today versus champions of yesterday. For example, what would happen if Israel Adesanya fought Anderson Silva when he was in his prime.

One of the fighters that constantly finds himself in those debates is former UFC middleweight and welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre (26-2). The former champion always finds himself in debates on who would win in pinning him against today’s champions.

A fun debate was always what would happen if a prime GSP took on Khabib Nurmagomedov. While GSP is certainly not in his prime, this is a fight that almost materialized and the UFC tried to make this fight recently.

However, Nurmagomedov is retired and it’s a fight we will never see. Another debate is around whether or not GSP could defeat Kamaru Usman. Could GSP’s style and skills compete with the elite welterweights of today?

Well, one of the best welterweights in the UFC certainly doesn’t think so. Colby Covington (16-2) said this week on the MMA Roasted Podcast that GSP would be light work and said there is no way that GSP could defeat him.

Who’d win in the UFC: GSP or Colby Covington?

Covington said of the former UFC champion, “I don’t think I could beat Georges St-Pierre. I know I’d beat St-Pierre. He was able to take a lot of guys down and hold them down and ground and pound. He’s not taking me down. My cardio is completely different. I’ve never been taken down in the UFC Octagon, so he’s not going to be the first.”

Covington continued, “His striking was very basic, very kindergarten. He didn’t have a lot of tricks. He just had that really good jab, but that’s pretty easy to counter if you’re moving your head and using footwork. I think Georges St-Pierre would have been a very, extremely easy fight for me.”

I will say this about what Covington is saying, GSP would definitely have to use more of his striking against today’s UFC welterweights. GSP really relied on taking his opponents down and controlling him during his dominant run.

I just don’t see him being able to take down Covington or Kamaru Usman. That said, I’m not sure they could take GSP down either which means it could become a striking matchup. With that, I do believe GSP could hang with either man.

Do I believe that GSP would be the dominant champion he was in today’s UFC world? No, I really do not. However, I do think he’d be in that mix of the elite along with guys like Usman and Covington. It would’ve been fun to see how a prime GSP would do against these guys who are at the top now.

After UFC 261, the table is set for Kamaru Usman – Colby Covington 2

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This past Saturday at UFC 261, Kamaru Usman (19-1) defended his title against Jorge Masvidal (35-15). The fight was a rematch from last July when Kamaru Usman defeated Masvidal by decision on Fight Island.

That fight was put together on short notice and due to the way the fight went, both men wanted to run things back with a full camp. UFC 261 had a drastically different outcome but with the same winner.

To the surprise of many, Kamaru Usman knocked Masvidal out cold on the feet. Heading into UFC 261, everyone thought that Masvidal would have the striking advantage. However, Usman put him away doing what Masvidal does best.

With the Gamebred chapter closed, it’s on to another rematch for Kamaru Usman. Before last weekend’s PPV, Dana White said that Colby Covington (16-2) would be next in line for the UFC welterweight title. 

White reiterated these comments in his post-fight press conference. While Usman talked around the rematch, it’s clear that the fight between the two top welterweight is what’s next for the UFC.

When will the UFC make it happen?

White didn’t have a timeline for the UFC welterweight title fight, but Colby Covington has come out and said there is no reason to delay it. Usman came out of the fight last Saturday unscathed and Covington is ready to go.

Realistically, I think the UFC will put this fight together in either August or September and you can expect a heated buildup. In my opinion, these are the two best welterweights in the world and there first fight was extremely competitive.

Back at UFC 245 in December of 2019, these two met in the headliner. The fight was extremely close and watching it back, I had it 2-2 going into the fifth round. The judges had it 2-2, 3-1 Usman, 3-1 Covington.

The fifth round was going to decide the winner and Usman got the TKO to retain his welterweight title. Even if that stoppage doesn’t happen and Covington survives, Usman would have won a split decision at UFC 245.

I’m expecting the rematch to be just as competitive. Colby Covington and Gilbert Burns are really the only welterweights that I see giving Usman trouble. I don’t want to include Leon Edwards yet until I see him a bit more active. That said, the rematch between these two is going to be something to behold whenever the UFC gets it finalized.

UFC: Colby Covington is next in line for the title per Dana White

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UFC, Colby Covington

This weekend at UFC 261, the welterweight title is on the line. The champion Kamaru Usman (18-1) is set to defend his title against Jorge Masvidal (35-14). This is a rematch from a fight that happened last year. That matchup took place at UFC 251 on Fight Island.

When 2020 started, the UFC was trying to put together the title fight between Usman and Masvidal. However, due to failed financial negotiations, the fight never came together. Instead, the UFC had Gilbert Burns step in to face Usman on Fight Island.

A week before the fight, Burns tested positive for COVID. With Burns having tested positive, the UFC went back to Masvidal on short notice. Usman would go on to defeat Masvidal by decision, but there have been a lot of questions around that matchup due to the short notice nature.

When 2021 started, the UFC was trying to book Masvidal against Colby Covington (16-2). Covington is the top ranked contender in the welterweight division and only Usman has defeated him over the last few years. There is bad blood between Covington and Masvidal which is why the promotion was pushing for the fight.

However, after Kamaru Usman called for the fight with Masvidal to be ran back, the UFC shifted gears. They abandoned the Covington fight and booked the rematch between Usman and Masvidal. While Covington was left without a dance partner, that will not be the case for long per Dana White.

UFC title shot for Covington

This week, Dana White told TSN that Colby Covington would be facing the winner of the UFC 261 title fight between Usman and Masvidal. Both fights make perfect sense for Colby Covington. He’s got bad blood with Masvidal and a rematch with Usman would be massive.

Usman and Covington fought back at UFC 245. It was one of the fights of the year in 2019. The fight was an instant classic and Usman won by fifth round TKO. Since that win, Covington got a win over Tyron Woodley while Usman has defeated Masvidal and Gilbert Burns.

Colby Covington had previously said that he would be preparing to be the backup for this weekend’s main event. However, we now know that the UFC is planning on him getting the next title shot. So, instead of Covington preparing to fight this weekend, he can prepare to study his next opponent.

Colby Covington will be at UFC 261; willing to be the backup fighter for the main event

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UFC, Colby Covington

Colby Covington (16-2) has been waiting patiently for another shot at the UFC welterweight title. The former interim welterweight champion last fought back in September when he dominated Tyron Woodley.

After the fight was over, the UFC attempted to book Covington against Jorge Masvidal (35-14). The promotion wanted the two to fight and coach The Ultimate Fighter. However, a deal never materialized.

Then, after UFC 258 where Kamaru Usman (18-1) called out Masvidal, the promotion shifted gears. We learned that UFC 261 was going to be headlined by the rematch between Usman and Masvidal. 

The two men fought back at UFC 251 and Usman won a unanimous decision. However, Usman was far from pleased with his performance and it eats at him that Masvidal has the excuse of taking the fight on short notice.

Because of that, Usman asked the UFC to run things back and the promotion agreed. That of course left Colby Covington without a fight. However, despite not having a fight booked, Covington is training as if he’s in camp.

Covington the UFC 261 backup?

Colby Covington believes that he is the next in line to face the winner of UFC 261. When looking at the division, it would make sense to have Covington fight the winner. Either fight would be massive for the promotion.

However, with how crazy things have been over the last year, Covington is staying ready. The former interim UFC champion told The Schmo this week that he is going to be in Jacksonville for UFC 261 and he will be ready if someone falls out.

Covington said, “I’ll be showing up for that fight. I’ll be there ready if anybody pulls out, I’ll be stepping in… I’m staying ready. I got my weight under control and I’m training as if I’m fighting on April 24th for the world title.”

It is definitely nice for the UFC to have a quality backup option like Covington. Should anything happen to either Usman or Masvidal, the event would still be massive with Covington sliding into the main event.

UFC Matchmaker: Stephen Thompson – Leon Edwards

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The UFC‘s welterweight division is in a very interesting spot at the moment. Just over a week ago, one of the top contenders in the division, Leon Edwards (18-3, 1 NC), made his return. However, the fight ended in a No Contest early in the second round.

After the fight at UFC Vegas 21 was over, Edwards said that he wanted a title shot next. While most of us knew that him getting a title shot was unlikely, Edwards pushed for it. Then we got the news that UFC 261 is being headlined by the rematch between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. 

With the title fight booked, it’s now time to try and pair up all of the other top contenders at 170 pounds. Initially, the UFC wanted to pair up Leon Edwards with Colby Covington (16-2). Covington is the top ranked welterweight while Edwards is currently ranked third.

This fight would be a great fight to determine the next challenger for the UFC 261 winner. However, Covington has continued to say that he has no interest in fighting Edwards and wants to wait for the winner of Usman/Masvidal.

In reality, I wouldn’t be surprised if the UFC gives Covington the next shot without him fighting prior. With that, where does that leave Leon Edwards? Well, I think the best fight would be looking at the fifth spot in the rankings and pairing him with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (16-4-1).

Will the UFC book Edwards – Wonderboy?

Wonderboy has had to play the role of welterweight gate keeper his last couple of fights. First the UFC gave him Vicente Luque and then they gave him Geoff Neal. Both young and dangerous knockout artists who were being built up as the next top contenders.

However, Wonderboy picked both of them apart. Now, Wonderboy is on the path for another shot at the UFC welterweight title. Wonderboy has been calling for a fight with Leon Edwards and it makes perfect sense to pair these two up now.

In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Wonderboy said that he deserves a title shot more than Edwards. Well, when you consider the competition, it’s hard to argue. This would be a fun and technical matchup that would say a lot about both men.

If Covington won’t take the fight, the UFC should do what they can to book Edwards – Wonderboy.

Leon Edwards seeking May UFC return; who makes sense for him to fight?

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Leon Edwards

It’s been just over a week since UFC Vegas 21. In the headliner, Leon Edwards (18-3, 1 NC) made his highly anticipated return against Belal Muhammad (18-3, 1 NC). Edwards was looking for a performance that would show the world he’s ready for a UFC title shot.

In the first round, Edwards looked sensational. His striking looked crisp and he wobbled Muhammad badly with a headkick. However, the second round would end the fight in a way that nobody wanted to see.

When Edwards was setting up a kick, he pushed his hand out and it poked Muhammad badly in the eye. After Muhammad wasn’t able to continue, the fight was ruled a No Contest. After nearly two years away, the UFC return for Leon Edwards ended with no clarity.

Last week, Edwards appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience. He talked about the fact that he was going to go on to finish that fight and the eye poke just delayed the inevitable. Edwards said he has no unfinished business with Muhammad and wants to move forward.

With that, Edwards was seeking a UFC title shot. However, we now know that UFC 261 is being headlined by the rematch between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Edwards told Rogan that he was seeking a May return which would line him up right after that title shot.

Who should the UFC pair Edwards with?

The fight that makes the most sense to me is the fight with Colby Covington (16-2). Covington is the former UFC interim champion and he doesn’t have an opponent at the moment. However, Covington has said he’s only interested in a matchup with Masvidal or Usman. 

In an ideal world, UFC 261 would happen with Covington and Edwards fighting in a title eliminator the next month. However, there are many hurdles to clear for that one. The next logical option for Edwards with be Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (16-4-1).

Wonderboy has been calling for a fight with Edwards a lot over the last couple of months. This would be a fun matchup and would get Edwards in there with a top guy. I can’t see any other option besides these two for Edwards. It’ll be interesting to see what the UFC decides to do for Leon’s next fight.

UFC: Gilbert Burns wants Colby Covington or Michael Chiesa next

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UFC 258 was the night that Gilbert Burns (19-4) had been waiting for. Burns finally got his chance to become welterweight champion and he got to face off against his former teammate, Kamaru Usman (17-1).

Originally, the two men were supposed to fight at UFC 251. However, a week before the fight, Burns tested positive for COVID and the fight was cancelled. Jorge Masvidal (35-14) ended up getting the shot against Usman.

After Usman won at UFC 251, the fight between him and Burns was tentatively scheduled for December. However, Usman needed additional training time due to some lingering injuries and Burns was asked again to wait.

Finally, last month, Burns got his shot. The fight couldn’t have started any better for Burns. Burns landed a massive shot that briefly put down and hurt the welterweight champion. It looked like it was going to be the crowning moment for Burns.

However, after that big shot, the fight drastically changed. Usman regained his composure and Burns looked uncharacteristically tired. The UFC champion started peppering Burns with power shots and ultimately put him down for good in the third round.

UFC return for Gilbert Burns

Gilbert Burns laid in the cage and cried after the referee called a stop to the action at UFC 258. All of the waiting just to get off to a fast start before gassing and having Usman put him away in the third round.

It’s no surprise that Gilbert Burns is ready to get back into the octagon. Burns’ manager, Ali Abdelaziz, told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto today that he’s ready to go. The Burns camp has asked the UFC for a fight against either Colby Covington (16-2) or Michael Chiesa (18-4) next.

Covington said this week that he’s wanting a UFC title shot next. However, Abdelaziz (who also reps Kamaru Usman) said that Covington needs to win again before getting a rematch. Of course, this should sit well with Covington considering that Jorge Masvidal is getting an immediate rematch. 

I don’t see Covington being likely for Burns. I do really like the idea of fighting Michael Chiesa. Since moving to the UFC’s welterweight division, Chiesa is 4-0. Chiesa, like Gilbert Burns, used to struggle to make lightweight and has turned his career around at 170 pounds.

Chiesa just defeated Neil Magny back in January and has been nursing some injuries. However, he should be ready to go for his next matchup soon. I think this is likely going to be where the UFC goes. The fight makes perfect sense given where both men currently are.

UFC: Colby Covington wants either Usman or Masvidal next; not interested in Leon Edwards

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UFC, Colby Covington

Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington (16-2) is currently waiting for his next opportunity inside the octagon. The last couple of months have been very frustrating for Covington as he’s seen a couple of opportunities fall through.

Last September, Covington dominated Tyron Woodley. After the fight was over, the UFC spent months trying to book the matchup between Covington and Jorge Masvidal (35-14). However, the fight never got done.

At UFC 258, Kamaru Usman (18-1) successfully defended his welterweight title. After the fight was over, Usman called out Masvidal for a rematch. The champion said he wasn’t satisfied with the way he won the first fight. After that callout, the promotion shifted gears.

Instead of booking Covington – Masvidal, the focus became booking Masvidal in a rematch against Usman. Last night, we learned that UFC 261 is going to be headlined by the Usman and Masvidal rematch in front of a full crowd in Jacksonville, Florida.

What’s this mean for the former interim UFC champion?

In reality, this is actually great news for Colby Covington. Originally, the UFC was looking at booking Usman and Masvidal as the coaches of The Ultimate Fighter. With that, they likely weren’t going to fight until the end of the year.

Covington told Submission Radio yesterday that he only wanted to fight Masvidal or Usman next. He’s not interested in Leon Edwards (18-3, 1 NC) and believes Edwards should fight Belal Muhammad again after what happened at UFC Vegas 21.

If Masvidal and Usman were to coach TUF, Covington would likely be out most of the year if he waited. However, Covington did say he would take a fight if the UFC were to step up and make him a respectable offer.

With the promotion booking this fight for next month, I believe all sides will win here. I believe that Colby Covington is likely going to fight the winner. I wouldn’t be shocked if the UFC still did The Ultimate Fighter with Covington and the winner.