
via Getty
NEWARK, NJ – AUGUST 03: Colby Covington is introduced prior to his welterweight bout against Robbie Lawler during the UFC Fight Night event at the Prudential Center on August 3, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

via Getty
NEWARK, NJ – AUGUST 03: Colby Covington is introduced prior to his welterweight bout against Robbie Lawler during the UFC Fight Night event at the Prudential Center on August 3, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Colby Covington getting rewarded with a title shot upon returning from a long layoff did not sit well with a section of the fans and fighters. In response to the turn of events, Welterweight champ Leon Edwards even rejected the idea of facing ‘Chaos’, saying there were multiple deserving options apart from the American. But ultimately, fans realize that it all comes down to UFC president Dana White and the matchmakers as to who ends up getting their say; which most likely could be Covington in this case.
Talking about a scenario that involved the former interim champ getting another shot at the gold, a former UFC legend gave his assessment of the possible fight. He claimed that Covington, although similar to Kamaru Usman in many aspects, could pose a slightly tougher challenge for the Englishman.
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Former UFC champ breaks down the Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington fight
Speaking to commentator Jon Anik, former middleweight champ Michael Bisping addressed the developments that took place in the welterweight division recently. The 44-year-old revealed that, despite all the nay-sayers surrounding Covington’s title shot, it might just be the right moment for Edwards to accept the matchup. The reasoning behind Bisping’s take here was the fact that ‘Rocky’ might be well prepared from a stylistic approach, considering he fought Usman; who is quite wrestling-heavy in his game plan.
“For Leon Edwards, this is probably the best time to fight Colby. Because all the hard work that he did against Kamaru Usman, two back-to-back camps, thinking about nothing but a wrestler first. And the guy that can use the hands to set up the Striking, that’s all fresh, it’s all there, it’s current, it’s ready to go again you know,” he explained.
Going back to the Usman and Edwards fight, Bisping felt that it might have been the injuries and the previous KO that could have played into the former champ’s mentality; which he believed cost him the fight.

via Imago
MMA: UFC 286 – Edwards vs Usman Mar 18, 2023 London, UNITED KINGDOM Leon Edwards red gloves fights Kamaru Usman blue gloves during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. London O2 Arena UNITED KINGDOM, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xPerxHaljestamx 20230318_kab_bk4_265
“I thought he looked a little slow. I thought he didn’t look his best. Whether that was because he was a little gun-shy, or maybe it was because of the knockout. Maybe because of the wear and tear in the body or the knees,” he pondered.
Comparing this to a possible Covington match-up, Bisping believed ‘Chaos’ won’t have anything weighing him down like Usman. “I don’t think he will be quite as hesitant,” and as per ‘The Count’, this also meant the former interim champ pushing the pace a bit more. “So I think Colby is going to go at him a lot more,” he expressed.
Bisping on the similarities between Covington and Kamaru Usman
Ultimately, despite pointing out all the aspects of their game, which he felt might play a crucial role; Bisping also addressed the similarities that could eventually help Edwards in overcoming Covington.
“I think he’s a little bit faster, but I don’t think he hits as hard. But still, I think the stamina, the pace that he can push, it does present a couple of slightly new problems for Leon. But essentially, kind of a similar fight,” Bisping explained.
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His perspective of the fight does point out the obvious facts that fans are quite well aware of. Usman and Covington do pose very similar challenges for the champ. But Bisping’s assessment of the stamina and the pace could just turn out to be the defining aspects of the fight.
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What do you think of this match-up? Has Bisping hit the bull’s eye with another near-perfect analysis? Let us know in the comments.
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