Roommates turned rivals Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal finally got to take out their aggression in the main event of UFC 272. This fight wasn't necessarily for more than bragging rights, but Covington may have earned a third title opportunity against Kamaru Usman after this dominant performance.
Before the two became enemies, Covington and Masvidal were close friends and trained together at American Top Team in Florida for nine years. Things turned sour in 2017 and their rivalry has become more vicious over time with each calling the other out at every opportunity. Those verbal jabs didn't stop this week at the expletive-filled news conference Thursday.
Masvidal's previous fight in the T-Mobile Arena was quick and historic. His flying-knee knockout against Ben Askren in July 2019 took just five seconds, setting the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history.
As a former All-American wrestler at Oregon State University, Covington knows how to get his opponents on the ground. His 61 career UFC takedowns entering the fight were tied for second-most in division history, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
In the end, Covington beat his bitter enemy in Masvidal via decision. His wrestling and grappling ability wore Masvidal down throughout the fight.
Social media had many reactions to UFC 272's main event, including Charles Woodson, Belal Muhammad and more.
What a great fight #UFC272
— QuakeRiddell (@bradquakeriddel) March 6, 2022
This fight 🔥 #ufc272
— Johnny Muñoz (@KidKvenbo) March 6, 2022
You can't beat wrestling like that! #UFC272
— Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) March 6, 2022
Covington is giving the ground and pound! 👊🏻 #UFC272 @ufc
— Heidi Montag (@heidimontag) March 6, 2022
Bombaclot!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) March 6, 2022
Hate him or hate him less, Colby Covington is a gamer #UFC272
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) March 6, 2022
Geography won by Covington, fight won by Covington. He's so well rounded. Man he is good. Other than Usman who can beat him? Shows just how great and superior Usman really is. #UFC272
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) March 6, 2022
Not close Covington dominated @ufc
— Charles Woodson (@CharlesWoodson) March 6, 2022
Covington's biggest asset is his gas tank. Just wears out his opponents over time. Wrestling like that can only be achieved at the highest levels. Unless you're at that level of wrestling knowledge and experience, you're not stopping his takedowns. #UFC272
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) March 6, 2022
Ugh masvidal gotta hear this guy talk forever now
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) March 6, 2022
They had all this beef and Covington wanna wrestle the whole fight lameeeee
— Darius Slayton (@Young_Slay2) March 6, 2022
If i'm fighting my ex best friend i'm trying to punish him.. not wrestle i'm beating him up. pause
— Nino (@qdiggs6) March 6, 2022
They're going to run it back
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) March 6, 2022
