A welterweight grudge match between Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington will headline UFC 272 on March 5, UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell told ESPN on TuesdayThat’s the way Chael Sonnen sees the upcoming fight between the former teammates and welterweight rivals, who agreed to fight after more than two years of bad blood from a public falling out.
Masvidal (35-15) is one of the UFC's most popular figures. He has not fought since he suffered a knockout loss to Kamaru Usman in a welterweight championship fight at UFC 261 last April. Masvidal's past two fights have been against Usman. He also lost to the champ via unanimous decision in July 2020.
Covington (16-3) is also coming off a failed title bid against Usman in his last fight. The 33-year-old also has lost twice to Usman, both via decision. His most recent win came against Tyron Woodley in September.
Covington, who’s twice challenged unsuccessfully for the welterweight belt, would face a difficult climb back to the top. But as Masvidal’s junior both in years and experience, he’s got more time to do so.
“In all fairness, I’ve really got to show respect to Masvidal, because this is a career-ending fight,” said Sonnen on his YouTube channel. “It is that big of a deal.
“There will be that much attention, and that much focus, and that much hatred going into this battle that Jorge, who is the second biggest draw in combat right now, who’s coming off of two defeats, if he goes out there and he gets taken down and he gets mauled for 25 minutes, it is going to take a lot of luster off of the shine that is the No. 2, the sport’s second biggest draw, the BMF, Jorge Masvidal.
“If Colby goes out and is able to do what Colby has been able to do with every person that is not named Kamaru Usman, you see the problem. Colby does not control and dominate and tap anybody out. That’s Demain Maia’s style, Demain Maia’s got the gentle Royce Gracie style. Colby Covington is going to beat your ass. It’s a different deal.”
The upside for Masvidal, as Sonnen sees it, is a shorter trip back to title contender status as the No. 2 draw. Only a few UFC fighters – Conor McGregor and Diaz brothers Nick and Nate, specifically – are able to exert that kind of leverage over their future.
“Masvidal’s only got one more spot to go,” Sonnen said.
Nothing about the fight needs to be spiced up considering all the promotion that’s already been done. But the very fact that Masvidal and Covington have agreed to it indicates there’s something beyond wins and losses at stake.
“Even if I lose, I’m going to punch you right in your mouth,” Sonnen said. “Both of them have this mindset. Nothing could be better.”
If Masvidal does want to make it an even bigger deal, Sonnen believes he could put up the “BMF” title he won in a fight with Nate Diaz. But Masvidal is already putting enough at risk, and it’s all because of the real hatred of his rival.None of this is being done for business,” Sonnen said. “This is real life playing out in front of our eyes.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.