SUMMARY
- Colby Covington struggled in all aspects against the Welterweight Champion.
- Colby was seen limping with ice packs wrapped around his knee and thigh.
Colby “Chaos” Covington is a name that many MMA fans relate to with showmanship and hard trash-talk. The Welterweight has never shied away from getting under his opponent’s skin. This has not only landed him in controversy and brawls but also the butt of internet jokes. From disagreeing to having a broken jaw against Kamaru Usman to claiming to take a knee for the first responders against Jorge Masvidal.
The former interim Champion has always had a hilarious response to the media. One such occurrence happened after the recent UFC 296 title fight against Leon Edwards. The fight didn’t go as planned including Colby who struggled in all aspects. From striking to wrestling against the Welterweight Champion, this performance met with criticism and ridicule from the MMA Community and UFC Fighters.
Covington wasn’t able to pose any real threat against Edwards and would be dominated throughout the fight. With an impressive takedown defense and striking, Leon nullified Colby’s greatest asset of wrestling. The devasting leg kicks were also a key factor in inducing visible damage to the knees of the American Fighter. The American Wrestler walked out with low significant strikes and ineffective takedown attempts.
When asked about the same Colby claimed to have no such effect although was seen limping with ice packs wrapped around his knee and thigh. He went on to further state that it was his easiest fight to date and won all rounds in his opinion. Fans and fighters weren’t happy with his performance also attributing it to his inactivity since his previous fight against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272.
What’s next for Colby Covington
Colby is still a valuable prospect to the UFC with his persona and following. This could be attributed also to him getting the debatable third title shot over Welterweight Belal Muhammad who is on a 9-fight win streak. In his post-fight press conference Covington called out no.6 ranked Stephen Thompson which could be a better matchup for him based on the lack of wrestling skills for the latter.
🚨| Colby Covington would like to fight Stephen Thompson next.
Covington doesn’t think that a fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov makes sense but would be open to the fight if the UFC want to book that.#UFC296 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/X8mwJQIxfu
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) December 17, 2023
Many believe it could be a hard run back to the title for Colby with Shavkat Rakhmanov and Belal in the picture. Covington has also long shown interest in fighting former interim lightweight champion Dustin Porier after going to war in words with him. Although Dustin has denied publically that he would be facing the Welterweight with the few fights he has left.
Colby has also stated a rumored matchup with Kamzat Chimaev and he blamed it to be one of the reasons for his inactivity. The 35-year-old may be out of his prime and should be used by the organization for money fights. He is a cash cow for his showmanship and eccentric gimmick. The UFC President Dana White shared his thoughts on Covington’s performance calling the fighter “Slow and Old.”