Kamaru Usman: Colby Covington fought me 'neck and neck,' won't deviate from plan vs. Leon Edwards at UFC 296
Kamaru Usman praises Colby Covington for his relentlessness ahead of UFC 296.
Covington (17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) challenges welterweight champion Leon Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) for the title in Saturday’s main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on ESPN+.
Usman has history with Covington and Edwards, having fought them numerous times each. Usman defeated Covington twice in thrilling title fights and went 1-2 against Edwards, losing back-to-back championship fights at UFC 278 and UFC 286. Based on his fights vs. both Covington and Edwards, Usman sees Covington pursuing a heavy grappling approach.
“Colby Covington is not going to stop trying to get that takedown,” Usman said on ESPN’s “DC & RC.” “That’s where he differs from you and I. We can adjust because we can strike. We’ve got the power to be able to hurt a guy and put him out. Colby Covington is not going to deviate away from the plan, especially when he knows, ‘This guy’s not a national champion. This guy’s not an All-American. This guy’s a striker that has learned how to defend takedowns using the cage. I am going to shoot takedowns as much as I can until I get him down.’
“Going by my fights, I’m going to be honest with you, I’m being straight up with you: Colby Covington fought me neck and neck. I just had to outclass him towards the end.”
Usman landed nine takedowns against Edwards in their two title fights. Even if Covington isn’t immediately successful in getting Edwards down, Usman doesn’t expect him to be discouraged.
“Colby Covington doesn’t care,” Usman continued. “You saw him when he fought Robbie Lawler. He’s going to shoot repeatedly and then he’s going to put the pressure on you, and he’s going to strike and strike and strike. The first one might not hurt you. The second one might not hurt you. But maybe the 18th one might be the one to hurt you.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.