Once they were training partners and friends, now they go at each other. In the UFC Octagon, there is a clear winner in the duel between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal.
When good friends become bitter rivals: The duel of the dazzling MMA stars Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, one of the most unusual UFC main fights of all time because of its special history, ended with a points victory for Covington.
At UFC 272, Covington prevailed over his former training partner on points in a largely one-sided fight. The two US welterweights were once good friends – but there is nothing left of their former bond.
Covington, who is known not only for his fighting skills but also for his so provocatively offensive performances, dominated in wrestling but also threw many good punches. Masvidal held on until the end, but could almost never pose a threat to his opponent.
Friends before, opponents today
Unusually for a UFC main event, this highly anticipated fight wasn’t for a title – but it was for a hell of a lot.
Covington and Masvidal had a score to settle. They once lived and trained together as part of elite fighters American Top Team, and Masvidal, four years his senior, was a mentor to Covington. He had come from wrestling and needed tutoring in boxing.
They helped each other in training, but then the break followed. Covington thinks that Masvidal is jealous of his success – who in turn thinks Covington is a fake who refuses to pay his trainer’s salary.
Covington vs. Masvidal – Rivalry with wrestling elements
Ironic about it: Covington’s self-dramatisation reminiscent of wrestling (he now also performed with the WWE music of Kurt Angle – and was received like the show fight legend with the shout “You suck!”), which now appeals to so many, is based on the tips of Masvidal’s coach Dan Lambert. He is a big wrestling fan and has also been active as a loudmouthed manager at WWE rival AEW for some time.
From Lambert’s and his protégés’ point of view, however, Covington has taken the game too far in the meantime, where he is perceived as a disrespectful traitor who only cares about himself: “It’s one thing to sh*t on one guy or another to provoke and attract attention, it’s something else to sh*t on absolutely everyone in this sport,” Lambert recently explained his aversion to Covington.
A fight between ex-comrades like this has never happened before, explained UFC boss Dana White. The crowd was largely in favour of Masvidal, who most recently lost twice to Kamaru Usman. Covington was also recently beaten by the Nigerian.
After beating Masvidal, Covington challenged Conor McGregor rival Dustin Poirier, whom he immediately called “swamp trash from Lousiana”.
