Covington grinds out decision win over Masvidal

Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal were once close friends before their relationship soured and the pair spent years trading barbs in interviews. On Saturday night, the pair met in the main event of UFC 272 from Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, with Covington grinding his way to a wide unanimous decision win by scores of 49-46, 50-44 and 50-45.

Masvidal opened the fight with a wild flying kick, but both men quickly slowed their pace into a more tactical approach before Masvidal landed leg kicks that appeared to bother Covington, leading to a takedown attack as Masvidal complained of an eye poke.

While Masvidal continued fighting off the takedown attempts, Covington slowly worked to continue dragging him down, eventually taking the back and working into dominant positions. Masvidal got his offense going in a more positive direction in the second round, landing some solid kicks and opening a cut near Covington’s eye with a sharp elbow. Covington, meanwhile, remained committed to a grappling attack, using his striking to close distance in pursuit of initiating clinches.

Colby Covington defeats Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision at #UFC272 pic.twitter.com/fzBBSWAkKd

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 6, 2022