Former teammates Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington to headline UFC 272
When we think about high quality mixed martial arts (MMA), we automatically think of action, perseverance, and masterful display of technique.
To our luck, we can find all these qualities and beyond in the UFC’s current welterweight roster.
The welterweight division is as dynamic as the stock market, with frequent championship title defences, new talent added to the division, and high-level contenders going head-to-head to fight for the belt.
Such is the case with UFC welterweight veterans Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal and Colby “Chaos” Covington, who will be facing off against one another for the main event of UFC 272 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 5. But to these guys, this fight is more than business, as lots of behind-the-scenes personal beef is involved.
Their relationship goes way back, when Masvidal and Covington used to be teammates and sparring partners at the American Top Team MMA gym in Coconut Creek, Florida.
With many pictures and public appearances together, it was obvious to the MMA community that the two were close. Covington later admitted to MMA News that they were “best friends, inseparable, [and even] lived together for a couple years.” However, things started to go downhill when Masvidal went public on the Dan LeBatard Show with allegations that Covington did not pay one of their coaches for his interim championship fight in 2018.
After the allegations, all hell broke loose. MMA fans are familiar with the fact that Covington is notorious for his trash talking, and Masvidal is not one to back down. This cycle of drama has been ongoing since 2019, and now, the feud is set to finally be settled on March 5.
Looking at the technical aspects of the fight, welterweights are already so talented and high level, but Masvidal and Covington bring extra elegance to the division with their styles of fighting.
Covington has collegiate level wrestling experience, and as a result he incorporates a lot of masterful wrestling techniques into his MMA fights. His stamina and cardio are also what distinguish him from other guys in the division, as he has smoothly fought full 25-minute fights before in his professional career.
Masvidal, too, is no one to underestimate. Having grown his career from underground street-fighting in the ghettos of Miami, “Gamebred” has the skill set and mentality of a true fighter. Well-known for his unorthodox method of striking, Masvidal has become a fan favourite for throwing unpredictable punches that lead to cold knockouts.
One thing to consider though, is that regardless of how much rivalry is between them, both men have a good grasp of the other’s fighting style, and even what gets into their head, since it hasn’t been too long since the two ended their friendship.
On March 5 I predict a classic brawl where neither fighter backs down, even if injured, because this is more than business. And as Masvidal likes to say, this is a “super necessary” way to end the feud, once and for all.
A version of this article appeared in print in The Ontarion issue 192.3 on Feb. 24, 2022.
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