KING OF MIAMI
UFC 272: Colby Covington hands Jorge Masvidal bitter pill to swallow with five-round domination in Vegas grudge match
COLBY COVINGTON crowned himself 'The King of Miami' with a dominant victory over Jorge Masvidal in their grudge match that closed the book on their 'blood feud'.
The former interim lightweight champion locked horns with his old 'best friend and room-mate in the main event of UFC 272 in Las Vegas.
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And he utilised his superior wrestling for five straight rounds to register a unanimous decision victory and extend Masvidal's losing streak to three fights.
After returning to the win column, he made a beeline for fellow former team-mate Dustin Poirier, saying: "I just took care of Miami street trash.
"Now it's time to take out Louisiana street trash. Where you at Dustin Poirier? You c**k."
Looking for a highlight-reel and early stoppage, Masvidal opened up the grudge match with a jumping switch kick - but Covington saw the telegraphed strike coming from a mile away.
It didn't take long for Covington to look to bring the fight down to his domain, although Masvidal defended his early takedown attempts well.
Masvidal was eventually grounded and had his back taken by his former buddy, although he managed to stifle Covington's numerous attempted transitions.
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To the delight of the crowd, Masvidal managed to make his way back to his feet.
But he ended the round eating a one-two combination.
A telegraphed overhand right was Masvidal's first strike of the second stanza, which Covington opened with a failed head kick that saw him slip to the canvas.
Once again, it didn't take long for Covington to attempt a takedown.
And just like the previous round, it was met with stern resistance in the form of a sprawl and numerous elbows to the head.
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An accidental low blow from Covington briefly halted proceedings, which resumed with Masvidal landing a nice two-punch combo following an elbow in the clinch.
Covington slowly but surely grew in confidence with his striking and snapped Masvidal’s neck back with a good straight right.
Masvidal had to deal with considerably more pressure as the round drew to a close and found himself on the receiving end of a nice combination from his former training partner before the round ended.
Covington have markedly more success with his takedowns in the third and managed to do significantly more damage from full guard.
Masvidal eventually gave up his back and neck but gave his legions of supporters a thumbs up to say he was okay before looking to transition out of the bad spot.
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After plenty of jostling, the pair return to their feet with a couple of seconds to go - a transition that allowed Masvidal to land a good left hand before drilling him with an overhand right.
Self-dubbed 'Cardio King' Covington dug deep into his energy reserves in the fourth with his relentless pressure, which came in the form of punches in bunches that he mixed in with takedown attempts.
Covington hurt Masvidal with a head kick and sensed blood, throwing an avalanche of shots.
Masvidal bobbed and weaved his way out of the hell-fire coming his way and dropped the former interim champ with a big overhand right.
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That drew a huge pop from the crowd and prompted Masvidal to throw, and land, another.
Covington bit down on his mouthpiece and continued to come forward and throw punches in bunches.
But seemingly reluctant to continue in a stand-up war, Covington initiated a clinch to weather the storm and ride out the round.
And he opted to do the same in the fifth, grounding Masvidal for large portions of the stanza and utilising top pressure against the fence to keep him from securing a Hail Mary stoppage.
In the post-fight press conference, a dejected Masvidal said: "Nobody wants to lose to a coward like that."
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Despite coming up short against his bitter rival, Masvidal insists there won't be any peace between them.
The 37-year-old said: "He’s a still somebody, if I see him out in the streets, I’m going to give him everything I've got to break his f****ng jaw."
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