Masvidal Vs. Covington: Who Won The Grudge Match?
The Fighters: A Deep Dive into Masvidal and Covington
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of who won Jorge Masvidal vs Colby Covington, it's crucial to understand the two incredible athletes who stepped into that cage. We’re talking about two distinctly different personalities and fighting styles, both incredibly effective in their own right, and both with a legion of loyal fans.
Jorge "Gamebred" Masvidal
First up, we have Jorge "Gamebred" Masvidal, a true veteran of the sport and a street-fighting legend from Miami, Florida. Jorge's journey in MMA is nothing short of inspirational. He's been around the block, fighting in various organizations before making his mark in the UFC. What makes Masvidal so captivating is his unapologetic, no-nonsense approach to fighting. He's a striker through and through, known for his crisp boxing, vicious knees, and a willingness to stand in the pocket and trade blows with anyone. His hands are incredibly fast and precise, and his knockouts are often highlight-reel material, just think about that infamous flying knee against Ben Askren, which remains the fastest knockout in UFC history! "Gamebred" isn't just about power; he possesses an excellent fight IQ, knowing when to pressure, when to counter, and how to set up his devastating combinations. His rise to superstardom, culminating in the "BMF" title, was a testament to his exciting style and fan-friendly aggression. Fans absolutely adore Jorge because he embodies that old-school fighter mentality: he shows up to fight, he entertains, and he never backs down. He brought that exact same energy and fire into the cage for the UFC 272 grudge match against Covington, seeking to not only win but to absolutely dominate his former friend. His grappling defense is solid, but his preference is always to keep the fight standing, where he believes he has the biggest advantage to unleash his powerful striking and finish opponents. His road to this fight was paved with big wins and even bigger moments, establishing him as one of the most exciting and dangerous welterweights on the planet, making him a true pay-per-view draw and a household name among fight fans.
Colby "Chaos" Covington
Then we have Colby "Chaos" Covington, a fighter who has mastered the art of being both incredibly effective and incredibly polarizing. Colby is a NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, and his fighting style is a direct reflection of that elite background. He is a relentless pressure fighter, famous for his suffocating pace, endless cardio, and masterful takedowns. Once Colby gets you to the mat, he is like glue, maintaining heavy top control and constantly looking for ground and pound or submission opportunities. His striking, while not as flashy as Masvidal's, is functional and serves a purpose: to set up his takedowns and maintain distance. Covington’s true weapon is his ability to break opponents both physically and mentally through sheer volume and an unrelenting pace that very few can match over five rounds. Outside the cage, Colby has carved out a persona as "Chaos," a controversial, unapologetic villain who embraces the boos and uses them as fuel. This larger-than-life character has made him a lightning rod for attention, driving huge interest in his fights, and none more so than this personal vendetta against Masvidal. He sees himself as the ultimate competitor, willing to do whatever it takes to win, and his confidence is absolutely unshakable. For Covington, this fight wasn't just about proving he was the better fighter; it was about proving he was the better man and getting a measure of revenge for what he perceived as disloyalty and disrespect from Masvidal. His path to this showdown included multiple title shots and dominant performances against other top welterweights, consistently proving himself as one of the absolute best in the division, even if his antics sometimes overshadowed his incredible skill. The contrast between Masvidal's striking and Covington's wrestling set the stage for a classic striker vs. grappler showdown, intensified by the deep-seated personal rivalry between the two.
Building the Hype: The Pre-Fight Drama
Alright, folks, let's talk about the delicious, juicy pre-fight drama that made Jorge Masvidal vs Colby Covington one of the most anticipated matchups in recent memory. This wasn't your typical respectful combat sports build-up; this was a straight-up war of words, a public airing of grievances, and a complete breakdown of what was once a close friendship. Both Masvidal and Covington used to be inseparable. They were training partners at American Top Team (ATT) in South Florida, pushing each other daily, sharing meals, and even living together at one point. They knew each other's strengths, weaknesses, and innermost secrets, which only added to the intensity when things soured. The story goes that their friendship began to fray as Colby's "Chaos" persona started to emerge. Masvidal and other ATT teammates reportedly grew tired of Covington's perceived disrespect, his political stances, and his overall abrasive attitude. What started as minor disagreements escalated into full-blown animosity, with both men accusing the other of being disloyal, a terrible training partner, and even a bad person. Masvidal, known for his "Street Jesus" demeanor, often spoke about unwritten codes of conduct and loyalty, claiming Covington had violated every single one. Covington, on the other hand, frequently referred to Masvidal as a "journeyman" and dismissed their friendship as a purely transactional relationship that he had outgrown. The trash talk leading up to UFC 272 was relentless and deeply personal. Masvidal promised to inflict pain, to make Colby pay for his words and actions, and to expose him as a fraud. Covington fired back with equally venomous barbs, bringing up personal issues and relentlessly mocking Masvidal's fighting style and fan base. This wasn't fabricated hype; the bad blood was real, palpable, and it made every media appearance and press conference a must-watch event. Fans weren't just tuning in to see who was the better fighter; they were tuning in to witness the culmination of years of betrayal and resentment. The stakes felt incredibly high, not just for their careers in the welterweight division, but for their pride and to definitively prove who was in the right. This personal narrative transformed a high-level MMA bout into something akin to a modern-day gladiatorial contest, where two men who once called each other brothers now sought to utterly destroy one another. It was a masterclass in fight promotion born from genuine hatred, captivating every single fan and ensuring that everyone had a strong opinion on who deserved to win the Masvidal vs Colby Covington grudge match.
The Epic Showdown: UFC 272 Masvidal vs. Covington
The moment finally arrived at UFC 272 on March 5, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The T-Mobile Arena was absolutely buzzing with an electric atmosphere as Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington made their way to the Octagon. The crowd was incredibly vocal, with clear divisions between those cheering for "Gamebred" and those supporting "Chaos." You could feel the tension hanging heavy in the air; this wasn't just another fight on the card. From the opening bell, it was clear that Covington's strategy was to immediately pressure Masvidal, utilizing his elite wrestling to control the pace and take the fight to the ground. In Round 1, Colby wasted no time, closing the distance and securing an early takedown. He spent a significant portion of the round controlling Masvidal on the mat, landing short ground and pound shots, and exhausting his opponent. While Masvidal tried to escape and defend, Covington's top pressure was relentless. "Gamebred" did manage to land a few powerful strikes when the fight briefly returned to the feet, but Colby quickly re-established his dominance. As the rounds progressed, the pattern became clearer. Colby Covington's incredible cardio and wrestling prowess were the defining factors. He relentlessly pursued takedowns, often succeeding, and controlled Masvidal for significant portions of the fight. Masvidal showed flashes of his striking brilliance, particularly in Round 2 where he landed a couple of impactful punches that clearly rocked Covington for a moment, sending the crowd into a frenzy. It was a brief, exciting glimpse of Masvidal's knockout power, demonstrating that even while being out-grappled, he still possessed that one-shot ability to change the complexion of the fight in an instant. However, Covington quickly recovered, reverting to his bread and butter: relentless pressure and takedowns. He seamlessly blended his striking with his grappling, using jabs and feints to set up his entries for takedowns, making it incredibly difficult for Masvidal to generate consistent offense. Colby's ability to maintain a suffocating pace over five rounds is truly remarkable; he never seemed to tire, constantly pushing forward, grappling, and forcing Masvidal to work defensively. By the later rounds, Masvidal, while still trying to land big shots, appeared to be wearing down under the constant pressure and energy expenditure of defending takedowns and struggling to get back to his feet. Covington's control time was immense, and he landed more significant strikes overall due to his ability to dictating the range and position. The fight went the distance, completing all five championship rounds. When the final bell rang, there was a sense of inevitability about the outcome, given the sustained wrestling dominance displayed by Covington. It was a testament to both men's toughness, but one fighter clearly executed his game plan with more effectiveness and consistency. This was a gritty, hard-fought battle, but the statistical advantage and the visual evidence pointed towards a definitive victor. The judges' scorecards would soon confirm what many in attendance already suspected after watching the entirety of the Masvidal vs Covington fight unfold.
And the Winner Is... Colby Covington!
Alright, guys, let's get straight to it: when the dust settled and the scorecards were read, the official winner of the highly anticipated Jorge Masvidal vs Colby Covington grudge match was none other than Colby "Chaos" Covington! The judges' decision was unanimous, with all three scoring the fight heavily in favor of Covington (49-46, 50-45, 50-45). There was no disputing the outcome; Colby put on an absolutely dominant performance, showcasing exactly why he is considered one of the very best welterweights in the world. His victory wasn't just a win; it was a comprehensive demonstration of his relentless fighting style and superior game plan execution. Covington’s strategy was clear from the moment the first bell rang: close the distance, initiate grappling exchanges, and wear down Masvidal with his suffocating pressure. He successfully implemented this plan throughout all five rounds, consistently securing takedowns and maintaining heavy top control. Colby's wrestling dominance was the undeniable key to his victory. He landed a remarkable number of takedowns, turning the fight into a grueling grappling match where Masvidal struggled to mount consistent offense. While Jorge did land a few powerful punches, particularly a significant right hand in the second round that momentarily wobbled Covington, these moments were too infrequent to sway the judges. Colby quickly recovered from any striking exchanges and immediately returned to his strength, relentlessly pursuing takedowns and stifling Masvidal's "Gamebred" striking. The pace Covington maintained was incredible; he never seemed to tire, constantly working, applying pressure, and draining Masvidal's gas tank. This relentless output meant that Masvidal was often on the defensive, expending significant energy just to prevent takedowns or to get back to his feet. Ultimately, the Masvidal vs Covington results confirmed that Covington's superior cardio, wrestling pedigree, and strategic approach were too much for Masvidal on that night. Colby controlled the octagon, dictated the tempo of the fight, and accumulated significant control time, which heavily influences judges' scoring. While Masvidal showed immense heart and toughness, he was largely unable to implement his striking-heavy game plan effectively against Covington's suffocating style. The unanimous decision cemented Covington's place at the top of the welterweight division and allowed him to claim bragging rights in what was perhaps the most personal rivalry in recent UFC history. It was a clear, decisive victory for "Chaos," leaving no doubt about who was the better fighter on the night.
What's Next for Masvidal and Covington?
So, with Colby Covington emerging as the decisive victor in this epic grudge match against Jorge Masvidal, the big question on everyone’s mind is: "What's next for these two high-profile welterweights?" Both fighters are at crucial points in their careers, and the outcome of UFC 272 will undoubtedly shape their paths forward in the stacked 170-pound division.
Colby Covington's Future
For Colby Covington, this win was absolutely massive. It not only settled a deeply personal score but also solidified his position as the undisputed number two welterweight in the world, right behind champion Leon Edwards and former champion Kamaru Usman. Given his two competitive fights against Usman, many fans and analysts believe Colby is in prime position for another title shot. He has repeatedly proven his elite status, and his unique, relentless style is a challenge for anyone in the division. Potential opponents for Colby's next fight could include a rematch with Kamaru Usman, especially if Usman is looking to rebound from his loss to Edwards. Another intriguing matchup could be against rising contender Shavkat Rakhmonov if he continues his winning streak, or even a different top-five opponent like Belal Muhammad if a title shot isn't immediately available. Covington’s post-fight antics and trash talk continue to generate massive interest, ensuring that whatever fight he takes next will be a significant event. He’s made it clear he believes he’s the rightful champion and will continue to pursue that gold with unwavering intensity. A third fight with Usman, should it materialize, would have an incredible amount of history and intrigue, potentially being one of the biggest trilogy fights in UFC history, proving once again his drawing power.
Jorge Masvidal's Future
As for Jorge Masvidal, the loss to Covington was tough, marking his third consecutive defeat after previously challenging for the title twice against Kamaru Usman. While Masvidal remains one of the biggest stars in the UFC due to his "Gamebred" persona and exciting style, a three-fight losing streak at the top of the division means he needs to regroup and reassess. The path back to title contention will be a challenging one, but Masvidal's popularity and fan appeal are undeniable, meaning he will still be offered big fights. A potential next fight for Jorge could be against another high-profile striker in the welterweight division, perhaps someone like Gilbert Burns (though Burns recently beat him) or even a step down in competition to rebuild momentum. He’s still a huge draw, and matchups that allow him to showcase his striking will always be appealing to fans. Retirement isn't typically in Masvidal's vocabulary, and he’s known for his resilience and ability to bounce back. Many would love to see him in an exciting, fan-friendly bout against someone looking to make a name for themselves, allowing "Gamebred" to remind everyone of his "BMF" status. The key for Masvidal will be to find an opponent who allows him to get back into the win column while still providing an entertaining fight for the fans, ultimately ensuring his legacy as one of the most exciting fighters in UFC history.
Conclusion
There you have it, guys, the definitive breakdown of the epic grudge match between Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington at UFC 272. This was a fight that truly lived up to its monumental hype, delivering not just a high-stakes athletic contest but the fiery conclusion to one of the most intense personal rivalries in UFC history. We saw two incredible athletes, with vastly different fighting styles and even more disparate personalities, step into the Octagon to settle years of animosity. Colby "Chaos" Covington ultimately emerged victorious by unanimous decision, showcasing his elite wrestling, unrelenting pace, and suffocating pressure to largely neutralize Masvidal’s dangerous striking. His strategic brilliance and unparalleled cardio proved to be the winning formula on that night, allowing him to dominate the rounds and secure a decisive victory over his former friend and training partner. While Jorge "Gamebred" Masvidal displayed his characteristic toughness and flashes of his renowned striking power, he couldn’t consistently overcome Covington’s relentless grappling assault. This fight wasn't just about a win or a loss; it was about pride, loyalty, and settling a score that had festered for years. The outcome solidified Covington's position as a top contender and left Masvidal with the challenge of rebuilding his momentum in the stacked welterweight division. The Masvidal vs Covington results will be remembered as a pivotal moment in both fighters' careers, a testament to the raw emotion and high drama that only mixed martial arts can deliver. It was a fight that fans won't soon forget, and it cemented Colby Covington as the rightful victor in this bitter, personal rivalry.
