Colby Covington is the UFC’s new interim welterweight king after he won a unanimous decision over Rafael dos Anjos in the UFC 225 co-main event.
The UFC 225 co-main event just witnessed the promotion’s #4 welterweight, Colby Covington, capture the UFC’s interim welterweight title by winning a unanimous decision over the #1 ranked Rafael dos Anjos. Covington came out aggressive, pushing the pace and scoring multiple takedowns. RDA did scramble back to his feet often, landing some pretty solid strikes as Covington moved forward, but he struggled to maintain that space for any sustained amount of time.
Covington was executing his grinding style throughout the third, striking his way into the clinch where he forced RDA to work and carry his weight. RDA had a momentum swing in his favor when he scored a couple of takedowns in the fourth round, and started grinding on Covington. Covington kept on with his grinding ways into the fifth round, really letting his hands go in between clinch exchanges. Colby Covington is the new UFC interim welterweight champion.
Co-main Event:
Colby Covington def. Rafael dos Anjos by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47 x2): WelterweightInterim Title
Covington scored an immediate takedown, which appeared to have popped the cauliflower ear of RDA. Any time RDA got separation, Covington quickly closed the distance and pressed his foe up against the cage. RDA landed some solid punches as his opponent closed the distance, but still allowed Covington to get on the inside.
A takedown was achieved by Covington within the first 15 seconds of the second round, and the crowd started to chant ‘Colby sucks.’ RDA finally found some open space and started ripping some mean body punches. Covington responded with some volume striking, which allowed him to close the distance and take the back. Covington was bleeding from the face when they separated, and traded for the final 10 seconds of the round.
Covington landed a few strikes to close the distance again to open up the third round. When RDA did get off of the cage, Covington continued to throw volume and strike himself into the clinch. Just when it seemed as if RDA was fading, Covington accidentally kicked him in the cup, giving RDA a chance to recover. RDA instantly found himself with his back to the cage, and even when he did escape, Covington just put him right back there.
A big hook from RDA opened up the fourth frame, but Covington wore it rather well. Plot twist, RDA shot in and scored a brief takedown, and as soon as Covington stood up, RDA took him right back down. Covington did work back to his feet where he landed a couple of wild hooks, and then resumed with his grind up against the cage. RDA gave up a late takedown in the final 30 seconds, but Covington wasn’t able to capitalize on the position before the round expired.
Covington quickly closed the distance and continued on with his rinse and repeat grind. Striking his way into the clinch, and then working for the takedown, forcing RDA to work to defend. With about 30 seconds left in the fight, the both stood in front of each other, trading some serious leather in the pocket before time ran out.