UFC 272-Grudge Match: Colby Covington Beats Jorge Masvidal
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The fight between the former best friends and American Top Team teammates-turned enemies ended in a clear win for Covington at the welterweight headliner Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The 34-year-old set the tone right from the start once he got Masvidal 37, down to the mat in the first round.
Masvidal(35-16 MMA, 12-9 UFC) got one in during Round 4, when he landed a hard count-right hook that dropped Covington to one knee late in the round. However the 37-year-old couldn’t pounce for a finish because of fatigue, which allowed Covington to recover.
Covington(17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) got the fight to the mat in Round 5, and finished strong to secure a lopsided 49-46, 50-44, 50-45 unanimous decision win.
“I was offbeat with the wrestling. I needed to wrestle harder,” Masvidal told UFC commentator Joe Rogan after the fight. “… My wrestling wasn’t there today. I was flat.”
Covington on his part, admitted to reporters that the fight wasn't his "best performance."
"Just a lot of emotions going into it," he explained. "That was a real friend of mine at one point in my career. I let my emotions get the best of me. But it was still dominant. I showed the world how good I was."
Covington also shifted his attention to another former ATT teammate in Dustin Poirier, with whom he’s also feuded in recent months, and who he referred to as "Louisiana swamp trash."
“I just took care of Miami street trash," Covington said. "Now it’s time to take care of Louisiana swamp trash."
The 34-year-old at one point gave a shout out to former president of the United States, Donald Trump.
"Mr 45, President Trump Greatest president in history...." he said. "Our fucking country is going to shit right now without him. We need him back in 2024."
Covington had slammed cancel culture earlier during the ceremonial weigh-ins when he welcomed Joe Rogan back, after the commentator's absence from UFC 271. The Joe Rogan Experience Spotify-exclusive podcaster was recently mired in a left-wing-manufactured controversy over misinformation which lead singer Neil Young to pull his songs from Spotify.
"It's so great to have you back Joe Rogan," Covington said, as the crowd cheers. "We love you at the UFC. We miss you. Fuck cancel culture!"
WATCH UFC 272 highlights...