Colby Covington will compete in his six straight most important occasion when he takes on Leon Edwards for the welterweight strap at UFC 296. Final trip, Covington defeated Jorge Masvidal in the principle occasion of final yr’s annual MSG card in a one-sided choice victory over 5 rounds. Regardless of having his hand raised in his final outing, he’s 2-2 in his final 4, with two losses in title fights to former champion, Kamaru Usman.
A surprising stat for Covington is that he doesn’t maintain a single win over a present ranked welterweight. Regardless of this, he was nonetheless given the prospect to combat for the title and that is arguably because of his controversial character.
At 35, a loss in Las Vegas might spell the top of Covington as a contender. He’d be 2-3 in his final 5, the persona is definitely carrying skinny and importantly, there’s solely so many instances that legit contenders will be stepped over in favour of a ‘ticket vendor’. Names together with Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov, who competes this weekend towards Stephen Thompson are each contenders for a title shot.
Inconsistency and Questionable Title Calibre
There’s little doubt that it was a shock that the previous interim champion acquired a title shot. He fought twice in 2019 and solely as soon as in 2020, 2021, 2022 and now 2023. The calibre of opponents that Covington has picked up wins over can be questionable.
When he beat Robbie Lawler, Ruthless was coming off the again of two straight losses. The victory over Tyron Woodley was additionally after Woodley had misplaced two straight. Masvidal was enduing a two-fight profitable run additionally.
We can also’t ignore that he’s already had two title alternatives, each of which had been unsuccessful. In his first title shot at Usman, not solely did he lose the combat, however he was completed by The Nigerian Nightmare within the ultimate spherical. The second noticed Covington completely out classed by Usman. 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 scorecards, two knockdowns for the champ and 0/11 takedowns landed for Covington noticed him decisively lose his second try.
We’ve got to, due to this fact ask whether or not he really is world title calibre and a loss to Edwards on Saturday evening would cement him as not being that degree of a fighter, regardless of large successes all through his profession.
A loss within the T-Cellular Enviornment would possible mark the top of Covington as a title challenger. There are nonetheless attention-grabbing fights for him and if he does lose, he would nonetheless be a draw (to an extent). Struggle Evening most important occasions are a possible as are frequenting PPV most important playing cards. That’s, if he needs to. There’s an opportunity that with a loss, we see him cling up the gloves. If not, he may very well be somebody that up and comers look to make a reputation off. Rakhmonov, Ian Garry and Jack Della Maddalena would all massively profit from having Covington’s identify on their document.
All that is hypothetical, nevertheless, as Covington clashes with Leon Edwards on Saturday evening. We’ll know much more in regards to the profession of ‘America’s Champ’ come Sunday morning!