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UFC 272: Colby Covington gets the last laugh
One of the most talked about and anticipated main-events for the UFC in recent memory met its ultimate conclusion last saturday night. The #2 welterweight Colby “Chaos” Covington received his 17th win in the UFC versus Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal (#10 35-16). On the feet Colby displayed an improvement in his striking game, despite taking some big shots from the 37-year old Masvidal. Before the two bitter rivals met on the octagon, both fighters used some strong language referring to either fighter ending up in critical condition or even worse. The UFC stirred their disgust for each other as the main selling point for fight fans to tune in. The former American Top Team teammates couldn't wait to settle their beef and in the end Colby Covington got the last laugh.
This was a perfect stylistic matchup for Covington who prides himself in his wrestling abilities. The two-time Pac-10 champion at Oregon State completed 6 of 15 total takedown attempts and dominated with a ground control time of 16:14. While Masvidal mixed in strikes to the body and legs, it seemed to do nothing much versus “Chaos”, who not only doubled his striking count, he landed a total of 218 strikes. Late in the fourth round, with 1:36 remaining, Masvidal landed a beautiful over-hand right that sat Covington down for a moment. This moment was reminiscent of Nate Diaz stunning Leon Edwards with a brutal blow that sent him stumbling back, only to hesitate letting his opponent recover in June 2021. Masvidal looked too gassed and exhausted to follow up with anything that would further define the fight. Colby’s ability to take Masvidal down was also reminiscent of the latter’s struggles in two previous fights versus the current welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. In both fights the champion was able to corner ‘Game Bred” towards the cage, taking away any ability for him to use his explosive forte. With less space to work around Masvidal had very little opportunity to drive forward and step into his punches. Covington played to his strengths and won via unanimous decision.
Smiling in his post fight interview with Joe Rogan, he surprising many by calling out the #2 contender in the lightweight division, Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier. Whether that fight materializes or not “Chaos” for now can enjoy the last laugh between him and Masvidal.
Written by- Isaac Gomez
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