Believing himself to be the rightful owner of the BMF title, UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman has offered to vacate the belt just for this weekend’s UFC 272 main event.
Despite the absence of official gold, many have suggested a ceremonial strap should be on the line. In 2019, Masvidal took home the specially-created BMF belt following his victory over Nate Diaz.
After some brought up the possibility of the belt being on the line this weekend, “The Nigerian Nightmare” took to Twitter to offer a generous loan of it for UFC 272.
I will relinquish the BMF Belt just for this fight #UFC272
During an interview with TMZ Sports, the topic of adding the BMF strap to the mix at UFC 272 came up. In response, “Chaos” branded it a fake belt and claimed he’ll be carrying four titles with him to the cage on March 5.
“I have a real title; he has a fake title. I could care less about his title. I have all the titles that matter: the people’s champion, America’s champion, Donald Trump’s favorite fighter, and Miami’s title. So I’m gonna put ’em all on the line (at UFC 272) to show you why I’m the king of Miami.”
We can’t imagine Bruce Buffer will be including those titles in Covington’s pre-fight introduction…
One thing that’s become clear, thanks to both the pre-fight insults and discussion of each other’s styles, is that both men enter the contest with the belief their history as training partners will give them an edge.
That narrative was recently evident when Masvidal discussed the weaknesses he hopes to exploit in his former friend’s game.
Masvidal: Covington Is “Fragile”
During a recent interview with ESPN’s Max Kellerman, Masvidal, who enters this Saturday’s event off the back of consecutive losses to reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman, claimed he’s seen Covington’s fragility first hand.
That, as well as a power edge over the former interim titleholder, is something “Gamebred” plans to use to his advantage inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on March 5.
“(I can exploit) his heart, and he’s fragile. I know him. I have, just like he has things to say about me and math on me, I know him,” said Masvidal. “I remember the times that I hit him a little bit too hard in the body—he took his gloves off and had to walk out of the cage. He would tell trainers, ‘Ah, we don’t have to spar, me and Masvidal. We could wrestle all the time, but we don’t have to spar.’
“It shows on his record. He doesn’t hurt anybody. He doesn’t have any power,” added Masvidal. “I know what I have to do; just be a dog, be a dog that I’ve always been, and just get in front of his face, and let him have it.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CakZ10bI0qK/
While there may be the absence of a championship on the line this Saturday, the animosity between the two headliners more than makes up for it. With a place in title contention and bragging rights on the line, UFC 272’s main event promises to be a must-see affair.
Who do you think will win UFC 272’s blockbuster grudge match, Jorge Masvidal or Colby Covington?
UFC flyweight Mariya Agapova isn’t planning on fighting on emotion ahead of her grudge match against Maryna Moroz at UFC 272.
Agapova and Moroz used to be cordial as teammates at American Top Team in south Florida. But their respect for one another as teammates has fizzled out in recent years.
It all started when Moroz accused Agapova of struggling with drug addiction and jealousy, which allegedly led to her dismissal from ATT. Agapova has since denied Moroz’s claims and called her out following a win over Sabina Mazo last October.
Moroz has also claimed that Agapova attempted to injure her teammates during training. The two flyweights have a score to settle at UFC 272 following their series of back-and-forths.
During a recent interview with The AllStar, Agapova detailed how she plans to not fight on emotion against her ex-teammate turned adversary.
“I think, if I will be affected and mad, that might be her weapon,” Agapova said. “Because she’s purposely trying to drive me crazy. She post a lot of stories; she talking sh*t about me. She’s trying to make me mad because she knows if I get mad I will try to punch her hard and I will waste all my energy, and she will finish me like Shana Dobson. It’s what she wants. That’s why she’s trying to drive me crazy. But I (decided) I’m not going to play this game. I will be calm, cold, like an assassin, and I will open her weak places and hopefully finish her.”
Agapova vs. Moroz isn’t the only matchup between former ATT teammates on the card. The event will be headlined by a welterweight matchup between former friends turned bitter rivals Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal.
Aside from their beef, both Agapova and Moroz need a win to stay in the thick of things in the women’s flyweight division. Both women are coming into the matchup with plenty to prove and with long-term bragging rights on the line.
What is your prediction for Mariya Agapova vs. Maryna Moroz?
UFC 272 is now only one day away, and to help get you even more fired up for the grudge match of the century and all the other fight-night festivities, we’ve got some staff picks for you!
UFC 272 will be available exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view on Saturday, March 5, 2022. The main card begins at 10:00 PM ET, and the ESPN preliminary card kicks off at 8:00 PM. The early preliminary card starts at 6:00 PM.
The main event will feature the heavily anticipated grudge match between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. In the co-main event, we have a short-notice five-rounder between former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and Renato Moicano in a 160 lbs. catchweight bout.
Also on the main card, we have UFC veteran Edson Barboza going up against rising contender Bryce Mitchell. Kevin “Big Mouth” Holland will also make his return to the welterweight division against veteran Alex Oliveira. And kicking off the main card will be Sergey Spivak against Greg Hardy.
UFC 272 Staff Predictions
MMA News is the place to be for all the latest UFC 272 updates. I, Harvey Leonard, and Ed Carbajal have provided our picks for you.
Here is the full main card for UFC 272:
Welterweight Bout: Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal
Catchweight Bout: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Renato Moicano
Featherweight Bout: Edson Barboza vs. Bryce Mitchell
Welterweight Bout: Kevin Holland vs. Alex Oliveira
Heavyweight Bout: Sergey Spivak vs. Greg Hardy
Sergey Spivak vs. Greg Hardy
Serghei Spivac, Greg Hardy
Clyde Aidoo: Greg Hardy is 7-4 while Spivak is 13-3. This means not only does Spivak have more experience, but he also has a higher winning percentage. That fact is especially relevant when you consider that Hardy has lost to each of his toughest matchups, including every time he’s gone against someone who has been ranked.
This is a fight where I’m leaning more on data than any X’s and O’s and going with the more proven Spivak over Hardy, who has lost two straight by TKO. Meanwhile, Spivak has won three of his last four. The more I think about it, this is very curious matchmaking and a pretty tall task for the last fight on Hardy’s contract. (Prediction: Sergey Spivak)
Harvey Leonard: A strange main card opener to say the least. Given that we haven’t seen Spivak display one-punch KO power and that Hardy’s deficiencies on the ground are well-known, this one really could be as simple as one takedown being the deciding factor. Hardy will have opportunities to land the finishing blow he needs in the first round. But I think it’s more likely Spivak imposes his wrestling game in the second and either stops a fatigued Hardy on the ground or uses his grappling to secure a decision. (Prediction: Sergey Spivak)
Ed Carbajal: Hardy’s name seems to land him on the main card often, but that usually means he’s facing someone that has the same knockout power he does. Both men are coming off of losses, and Hardy’s last two are by T/KO. Spivak is as well-rounded as they come in this weight class and is the former World Warriors Fighting Championship heavyweight champ, so I think Spivak sends Hardy back to the prelims here. (Prediction: Sergey Spivak)
Consensus: 3-0 Spivak
Kevin Holland vs. Alex Oliveira
Kevin Holland and Alex Oliveira
Clyde Aidoo: Alex Oliveira is probably going to at least sample Holland’s takedown defense and put his jiu-jitsu skills to use, as it’s well known that Holland’s biggest bugaboo during his last two losses was due to wrestling deficiencies. Oliveira may be a proficient grappler, but I don’t think his wrestling skills will be the difference-maker in this bout, though, especially with Holland’s increased focus in this department. I’m expecting Holland to get the better on the feet with his funky striking and maybe even if the fight does hit the mat, Holland proved against Jacare Souza that he can not only survive but get the kill from any position. (Prediction: Kevin Holland)
Harvey Leonard: Given Holland’s two defeats in 2021, it’s expected Oliveira will employ a grappling-heavy approach. “Cowboy” is certainly well-rounded enough to cause the welterweight newcomer problems. But with a significant height advantage and the smaller stature of Oliveira compared to his recent opponents, Holland will have a much better chance at keeping the fight on the feet and utilizing his reach advantage. While Oliveira has the submission threat to secure a stoppage, I back “Big Mouth” to find his voice again, barring any weight-cut issues. (Prediction: Kevin Holland)
Ed Carbajal: Holland needs a win here to break the luck he’s been having in the cage; two losses and a no-contest aren’t necessarily great for his career. Oliveira is also in need of a win having lost his last three as well. Someone is going to break their streak, and it could be a coin-toss, but Holland isn’t easy to put away, so I’m leaning towards him. (Prediction: Kevin Holland)
Consensus: 3-0 Holland
Bryce Mitchell vs. Edson Barboza
Bryce Mitchell, Edson Barboza
Clyde Aidoo: This is a tough one because Edson Barboza was once known as having tremendous takedown defense, but his brutal, wrestling-based beatdowns at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kevin Lee raised some questions. However, Khabib and Lee are both tremendous wrestlers on another level than Mitchell, even though Mitchell is an elite submission grappler.
If the fight hits the mat, I think Mitchell has a better chance of getting the submission than Barboza does of getting back up. However, can Mitchell get the veteran down? I’m going to bank on Barboza’s takedown defense holding up against a non-Khabib/Lee opponent in which case Mitchell would be in for either a very long night, or a very sudden blackout. (Prediction: Edson Barboza)
Harvey Leonard: While this will represent Mitchell’s toughest test to date, it will also signify Barboza’s first fight against a high-level grappler in a while. The Brazilian did defeat Makwan Amirkhani, but it’s perhaps a slight red flag that the Finland native was able to drag him down. Nevertheless, Barboza boasts a 78% takedown defense, and Mitchell hasn’t had to impose his largely one-dimensional game against an opponent anywhere near the quality of Barboza to date.
While the edge on the ground lies with “Thug Nasty,” the advantage on the feet is even more overwhelming on the other side. We’ve also seen Barboza’s ability to stop a level change in its tracks, as Beneil Dariush learned first-hand. If Barboza can utilize his classic kicks, keep Mitchell at a distance, and defend against the early takedown attempts, I think this step up in competition will prove too much for the 27-year-old. (Prediction: Edson Barboza)
Ed Carbajal: Justin Gaethje has gone on record to say Barboza was a fighter he tried to emulate and was nervous to fight when they eventually fought. That’s saying a lot here and while Mitchell might be the more popular fighter for UFC fans, Barboza’s experience and skill might be ahead of Mitchell’s. I’m going with Barboza in this one. (Prediction: Edson Barboza)
Consensus: Barboza 3-0
Renato Moicano vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Clyde Aidoo: This fight is probably a bit more competitive than some may think. With dos Anjos being a former champion who is still competing at a very high level and with a bit more meat on his résumé, Moicano might not be the sexy pick here, especially seeing as how he’s taking this fight on short notice. But like dos Anjos, Moicano has only lost to the best of the best. And at lightweight, Moicano has been very impressive, with a 3-1 record, all finishes, and his only loss coming to the lethal Rafael Fiziev.
I’m going to give the edge to dos Anjos because odds are he is more prepared for a five-round fight and has more experience under the bright lights in big-fight situations. (Prediction: Rafael dos Anjos)
Harvey Leonard: It’s always difficult to back someone entering a fight on four days’ notice, especially against an opponent with the experience and quality of RDA. Nevertheless, Moicano is a high-level BJJ black belt and displayed his well-rounded game against Hernandez at UFC 271.While RDA is no Hernandez, I fancy Moicano to make the most of this opportunity. He could also prove harder to prepare for than the initial Fiziev clash.
While the path to beating an elite striker like “Ataman” is clear, the route to victory against Moicano is harder to see, especially for a fighter who isn’t known for finding KOs, which appears to be Moicano’s major weakness. While five rounds on short notice is a concern, I back the younger Brazilian. (Prediction: Renato Moicano)
Ed Carbajal: This newly booked fight is a little different to call. Usually, a short-notice booking favors the prepared fighter, which is dos Anjos in this scenario. However, Moicano was not just sitting around. He just fought at UFC 271 where he won via second-round submission. Still, rushing into a fight after finishing one might mean he is still wearing some of the last camp into this short notice booking, so I think it’s still safe to go with dos Anjos here. (Predictions: Rafael dos Anjos)
Consensus: 2-1 dos Anjos
Jorge Masvidal vs. Colby Covington
Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington
Clyde Aidoo: I think Colby Covington beats any welterweight alive not named Kamaru Usman or (maybe) Khamzat Chimaev, so my confidence in Covington isn’t a slight on Masvidal but just a high valuation on Covington’s skill set. Masvidal is always live for the KO, but it’s going to take more than a “kneer’s chance” for me to pick against Covington here.
I don’t think any of the emotional build-up will play a role in the fight. Firstly, even Masvidal himself said he won’t approach the fight any differently. And even if he did, that would be more likely to have a negative effect than a positive one, as fighting with emotion is never advised.
If Masvidal doesn’t get this done within two rounds, his chances will fade drastically. Since Covington has only been TKO’d once (where he immediately returned to his feet) and because he is such an elite fighter with very high fight IQ, I think he avoids the KO, which means he drags the fight out. And that is when he will have a very noticeable advantage over his former teammate and bestie. (Prediction: Colby Covington)
Harvey Leonard: As has been pointed out during fight week, this is a striker vs. grappler contest with some added dynamics. Masvidal is the better striker, but Covington has shown he’s no slouch on the feet. Covington is the much better wrestler, but Masvidal has an impressive ability to return to his feet.
“Gamebred” is a fighter who can make things happen, as we saw against Askren. While a finishing blow can’t be ruled out, you’d expect that to be Masvidal’s path to victory. Against an imposing wrestler who has a proven chin, an Askren or Till-esque finish is perhaps unrealistic. With that in mind, the logical pick is Covington across five rounds, providing he sticks to his game plan. (Prediction: Colby Covington)
Ed Carbajal: This match has shadows of UFC 270’s main event where former training partners are facing each other after they parted ways from the gym they once were both members. MMA math does not work like real math, but both men have faced the mighty champion Kamaru Usman and lost. If that’s an indicator of how they’ll do against each other, Covington is the one to pick since he has fared better against the champion. (Prediction: Colby Covington)
Prediction: 3-0 Covington
That’ll do it for our UFC 272 staff picks! What do you think? Do your picks look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the UFC 271 undercard below.
UFC 272 Preliminary Card (ESPN, ESPN+, 8:00 PM ET
Jamie Mullarkey vs. Jalin Turner
Yan Xiaonan vs. Marina Rodriguez
Nicolae Negumereanu vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
Mariya Agapova vs. Maryna Moroz
Early Preliminary Card (ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass, 4:00 PM ET)
Brian Kelleher vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Tim Elliott vs. Tagir Ulanbekov
Erick Gonzalez vs. Devonte Smith
Dustin Jacoby vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com tomorrow for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 272!
Carla Esparza is a fierce opponent in the Octagon. Even the current strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas, was finished by Esparza when they fought back in 2014.
Similar to Namajunas, Xiaonan felt the loss was a lesson and showed where improvements need to be made.
Carla Esparza and Yan Xiaonan, Photo Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
“The biggest lesson is you have to be ready for a big fight like that. 100% ready. Another lesson is the direction—how you prepare for the fight. So, we had some problems on that in my last fight camp. So, yeah, everything, I learned a little bit of everything in that fight,” Xiaonan told LowKickMMA.
Most fighters will tell you that preparation for a fight is more important than the fight itself. You have to go into the ring mentally and physically fit enough to defeat your opponent.
A bad day can lead to a bad fight just as well as being undertrained. But losing can also be a humbling experience, and many fighters have come back stronger from it.
This Saturday, Xiaonan will face Brazil’s Marina Rodriguez at UFC 272. They hold spots in the top 5 of the strawweight rankings, and after their match, one will be much closer to the title shot.
What are your thoughts on how Yan Xiaonan reflects on her loss to Carla Esparza?
UFC welterweight Colby Covington has been met with a stern response after comparing upcoming opponent Jorge Masvidal to Fidel Castro.
It won’t come as a surprise to anyone that Covington has approached fight week for UFC 272 with his usual mindset. We’d have been stupid to expect anything else.
Ahead of the pair’s heated clash this Saturday, Covington once again hasn’t held back. That was evident at UFC 272 media day when he compared “Gamebred” with Fidel Castro, who was a Cuban revolutionary and leader of the Caribbean nation between 1959 and 2008.
“I never ask for handouts, I’m not like Jorge Masvidal. That guy is the definition of handouts,” Covington told reporters. “He used to use an Obama Phone. He used to food stamps from the government. He’s Fidel Castro junior. The guy is the definition of communism and here he is trying to act like he’s a right-winger now. It’s just funny, the hypocrisy.” (h/t The Mac Life)
Having previously attacked the entire nation of Brazil and used rival Kamaru Usman’s Nigerian heritage as an insult, it’s hardly surprising to see Covington go down the route of utilizing Masvidal’s background as a weapon.
Masvidal Fires Back: He Is Clearly Trying To Get Emotion Out Of Me
While Masvidal was born and raised in Miami, his father was Cuban. According to “Gamebred,” his father fled Cuba in a self-made raft at a young age. Masvidal has never shied away from criticizing the politics and regime his father’s country is run under.
With that in mind, Covington’s insult certainly crosses the line for Masvidal. During his own appearance at UFC 272 media day, the 37-year-old had the opportunity to respond.
Noting the immense pain caused to his family by the Castro rule, Masvidal described the deceased leader as the only person he dislikes more than Covington. With that said, “Gamebred” acknowledged that Covington used the comparison to try and force emotion out of him, something many have pointed out as a key factor heading into their main event bout.
“Due to Fidel Castro, family members of mine died,” Masvidal said. “My aunt is actually missing a breast because she tried to cross over from Cuba to Guantanamo Bay and the whole area is rigged with landmines. She’s now missing a tit because as she was crossing over, a landmine exploded.
“So for him to say that is clearly trying to get an emotion out of me and to get in the newspapers. The one person I dislike more than Colby Covington is no longer alive and it’s Fidel Castro,” concluded Masvidal.
Having previously referenced Masvidal’s family and children, it’s safe to say that there isn’t much left for Covington to comment on that could get under Masvidal’s skin. However, the topic of Castro and Cuba is clearly something the #6-ranked welterweight won’t entertain, and understandably.
While this grudge match certainly didn’t need more insults and back and forth to make it intriguing, that’s exactly what we’re getting so far in fight week. But when the cage door shuts, the time for talking will be over.
American Top Team founder Dan Lambert says the best outcome for his gym at UFC 272 would be a replica of Jorge Masvidal’s knockout of Ben Askren in 2019.
While ATT’s interest in this weekend’s pay-per-view recently increased with the late-notice addition of Brazil’s Renato Moicano to the card, the gym’s main attention will no doubt be on the headlining bout, which pits current influential member Masvidal against the ousted Colby Covington.
With that in mind, Dan Lambert, who founded the gym in 2001, is after a fast and emphatic victory for his man in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena this Saturday.
Lambert: Quick KO For Masvidal Would Be “Satisfying” For ATT
During a recent interview with ESPN MMA’s Marc Raimondi, Lambert discussed the upcoming grudge match between one of his gym’s current fighters and perhaps the most notable former athlete, who he even used to manage.
Given Covington’s history with ATT, and feuds with the likes of Dustin Poirier and Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Lambert believes the best-case scenario for his gym would be a “satisfying” early finish, perhaps similar to the downfall of a certain “funky” former welterweight in 2019.
“I’d be lying if I said this was just another fight. We’ve got fights every week. This is a monstrous fight…You throw the personal side into it and it’s a monstrous fight,” said Lambert. “And I can’t help but look at what a fight like this means to the individual at our gym. This is a big fight. Jorge wins this fight, his career goes a certain way. Jorge loses this fight, it’s gonna go another way.
“Best outcome for us (ATT) would be Masvidal/Askren 2. That would be pretty satisfying for a lot of people at this gym,” Lambert continued. “It didn’t really seem realistic against somebody as good as Ben Askren. But I think Colby is a whole other level than that. Outside of Usman, Colby is gonna be favorited against everybody. So, yeah, it’s probably an unrealistic expectation to have a short fight like that. But I think it’s also an unrealistic expectation to think that Colby is gonna go in there and dominate Jorge.”
The source of Masvidal’s current stardom perhaps largely derived from one flying knee. At UFC 239 in July 2019, the Miami native was matched up with Ben Askren, who, at the time, boasted an unblemished 19-0 record and had emerged victorious in his promotional debut against Robbie Lawler four months prior.
UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy knows he has plenty of critics and haters, but he tends to tune them out entering fight week.
Hardy is set to face Sergey Spivak at UFC 272 and is looking to get back on track after back-to-back losses. He most recently fell to Tai Tuivasa at UFC 264 via first-round knockout.
Hardy transitioned from professional football to MMA in 2017 after a tumultuous end to his career on the gridiron. After two wins on Dana White’s Contender Series, he would eventually make his UFC debut in 2019, falling to Allen Crowder.
Despite the early setback, Hardy was able to get back on track with wins over the likes of Juan Adams and Yorgan De Castro.
Hardy came under fire in 2014 after he was arrested on domestic violence charges for beating his then-girlfriend. He was then found guilty to assaulting a female and communicating threats and had a 60-day jail sentence suspended.
Hardy’s out-of-competition setbacks have caused him to have quite the target on his back, especially in MMA.
“I tell myself that everyone loves me, and everyone loves me back,” Hardy said. “But the reality is, from what I’ve heard; internet, face-to-face: ‘F— Greg Hardy, he shouldn’t be in the league.’ My response is, I do what I want. I’m a super soldier, bro. I’m entertaining myself, I’m entertaining the fans, I love it. If you’re hating, that’s your right as an American citizen. Thank you for watching. Buy the ticket, though!”
Hardy is looking for his first win in nearly two years at UFC 272. His last win came against Maurice Greene in an impressive second-round TKO finish in October 2020.
What are your thoughts on Greg Hardy’s MMA career?
UFC welterweight Kevin Holland says he’s getting trolled harder than ever before after recent footage he published of himself beating up internet trolls.
The #14 ranked middleweight has taken on two internet trolls in the past month who had messaged him on Instagram asking to spar the UFC middleweight. Both got what was coming to them, as Holland dismantled the trolls with little to no effort.
The 29-year-old released the sparring footage onto his Instagram, showcasing him taking on the trolls in an attempt to ward off future haters who would be looking to potentially troll him. When Holland was asked at the UFC 272 media scrum whether he receives more or fewer trolls after the footage was released, he said.
“More, so that was the wrong answer for me on my behalf to beat up trolls because they started trolling even more. So yes, I’ve got my work cut out for me,” said Holland.
Kevin Holland, Derek Brunson, Credit: UFC Twitter
At UFC 272 Holland is making his welterweight debut, taking on Alex Oliveira in an attempt to rekindle the kind of form that saw him capture the attention of everyone in 2020. Speaking on taking on trolls in the training camp for his fight at UFC 272, Holland confirmed that waivers must be signed before the trolls are able to fight him with a special clause included…
“Yes, you’ve got to sign a waiver before you come in the gym period,” said Holland. “And you know, there is a little special thing in the waiver to make sure I can put you on the Only Fans. Ye, I’ve got a Kevin waiver.”
The ‘Trailblazer’ recently joined Only Fans where he exclusively revealed who his next opponent would be in Oliveira. Holland also made it free for fans to be able to subscribe to him on the platform in an interesting and unique move by the UFC fighter.
What do you make of Kevin Holland taking on internet trolls? Should Holland make it a series?
A South Florida sushi restaurant nearly turned into a makeshift Octagon for UFC 272 headliners Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington.
Masvidal and Covington are slated to face off in a welterweight grudge match at UFC 272. The two former friends and teammates have been on each other’s nerves for years following their fallout.
Masvidal has proven to not be someone who will back down from a fight, even if it means confronting someone in a public setting. This element of his game goes back to his days fighting on the streets of Miami and also when he confronted Leon Edwards backstage in London.
The tension between Masvidal and Covington hit a boiling point following Covington’s win over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225. Masvidal has claimed that Covington allegedly failed to pay one of his coaches, which caused tensions to escalate.
Masvidal and Covington nearly brawled on numerous occasions during their time at American Top Team, according to both fighters. But things nearly took a sharp turn after Masvidal tried to lure Covington to a local sushi spot.
“I come into a gym, random practice, and I see him there. And he kinda tries to ignore me,” Masvidal claimed. “And I was like, ‘Hey, bro, after practice, we’ll talk.’ He’s like, “Yeah, yeah, for sure, bro. Cool, cool. We’ll talk.’ And it’s pretty amicable. It’s not that bad.
“He’s like, ‘What do you want to talk about?’ I’m like, ‘I want to talk about you being a bitch and bringing up my name in interviews and Dan [Lambert] said not to.’ I still haven’t gone public with him. I’m just trying to address him man to man. Like, ‘Let’s not go that route, bro. And if you are, let’s just put the gloves on and beat the shit out of each other and get it out the system, you know? It’s pretty cool. I tell him all this; it’s pretty cool. As soon as I turn my back and a couple people come with him, the show starts. I’ll [MUTED] kill you, bro! Don’t ever talk to me like that!’”
After Covington allegedly switched into character, Masvidal details how things escalated in the middle of the gym.
“I turn around, I come to confront him, it’s too late. The whole gym’s involved because he made such a show. So I tell him, ‘There’s this sushi place we always used to go to right here.’ And I tell him, ‘I’m gonna go to the sushi place, bro. Dinner’s on me. Let’s go. I’ll be waiting for you.
“So I get in my car, go to the place, he’s not showing up. I get on Instagram, ‘Hey, bro, if you wanna collect your dinner, I’m over here,’ blah, blah, blah. Never showed up. So I’ve always known, deep down inside, he’s a coward. I just can’t wait for March 5 to expose it.”
Covington has yet to formally reply to Masvidal’s claims.
ATT owner Dan Lambert has recently claimed that the fractured relationship between Masvidal and Covington was unfixable. This led to Covington parting ways with the team and joining nearby MMA Masters to train going forward.
What is your prediction for Jorge Masvidal vs. Colby Covington?
UFC President Dana White says lightweight contender Islam Makhachev will have to face Beneil Dariush before a title shot.
Makhachev most recently defeated Bobby Green in the main event of UFC Vegas 49 last weekend. Shortly after the fight, it was revealed that Rafael Fiziev had to pull out of his UFC 272 matchup with Rafael dos Anjos after testing positive for COVID-19.
The UFC scrambled to find a short-notice replacement to face Dos Anjos, with Makhachev raising his hand immediately on social media. However, he allegedly turned down the fight and the promotion ended up booking dos Anjos vs. Renato Moicano in the UFC 272 co-headliner.
Makhachev was originally supposed to face Dariush in the UFC Vegas 49 main event before Dariush suffered an injury in camp. During a recent interview with Barstool Sports, White appeared to shut down Makhachev getting a title shot next.
“Pretty close. I thought we had it done,” White said about Makhachev vs. Dos Anjos. “When I went to bed one of the nights, I thought it was done. Woke up the next morning and found out they turned it down. Islam [turned it down]. No clue [why].
Islam Makhachev, Credit: USA TODAY Sports
“He’s obviously doing very well. I love the Dariush fight. Since he turned down this fight, we’re going to remake the Dariush fight. We’ll get that fight going. Dying to see that fight. He gets through Dariush, very interesting.” (h/t MMA Fighting)
White previously said in a separate interview with TMZ that Dariush remains a factor in the lightweight division. After Makhachev called for the next title shot, it appears that the UFC plans to go in a different direction for his next Octagon appearance.
What is your reaction to Dana White’s plan for Islam Makhachev?
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that Joe Rogan will return to commentate on the upcoming pay-per-view at UFC 272.
Rogan was absent from the UFC 271 commentary team for reasons that are still unclear. After it was originally reported by some outlets as a scheduling conflict, White later shut down those rumors and said that Rogan chose not to work.
“Yeah, he’ll be here,” White said. “[Rogan is] on this week, [Daniel] Cormier’s off.” (h/t MMA Fighting)
Rogan will make his return to the broadcast alongside play-by-play broadcaster Jon Anik and former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping.
Rogan has been under fire over the past few months for allegedly spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines and also after a racial-slur-filled compilation went viral. In the compilation of a series of past podcast episodes, Rogan can be heard using the ‘n-word’ without context.
Despite being absent from UFC 271, Rogan’s presence was still felt by the fans. Chants of “Free Joe Rogan” were prevalent throughout the fight card.
Cormier will miss this weekend’s pay-per-view due to the recent death of his mother, as he announced earlier this week.
UFC 272 will be headlined by a welterweight grudge match between Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington, two fighters who Rogan has praised many times in the past.
What is your reaction to Joe Rogan returning for UFC 272?
The BMF champion highly anticipates putting an end to Covington’s confidence this Saturday, March 5. Every week, he reminds UFC fans that he will destroy Covington, and there has been a huge lead-up as to why.
Recently, in an interview with ESPN, Masvidal went into detail about a confrontation that took place on the night of UFC 241.
“I was at (UFC 241), and guess who I see there? Colby. And I haven’t seen him in months because he’s been traveling, I’ve been at the gym, I’ve been in and out of the gym, so we weren’t really clicking. So I finally see him and he just dropped (an) interview. And I just tapped him on the shoulder and he’s immediately nervous. Actually, this is on video. They have this on video. And I asked him, ‘Oh, what’s all that [MUTED] you’ve been talking? But we’re both men, man. You got my phone number. Why don’t we go outside and just talk like men? And he freaked out. He was like, “No, bro, you’re trying to fight, bro?! You’re so unprofessional, bro! We’re grown-ass men! What are you doing?! What’s wrong with you?!’”
Masvidal/Covington Face-Off Takes A Sudden Turn
Dana White, Image Credit: MMA Fighting
That night, Masvidal says his intentions were to speak to Covington about certain posts on social media that pertained to him. Before long, the UFC boss got involved.
“I’m like, ‘Let’s go outside and just talk, leave everybody here. Just go outside and talk.’ He’s like, ‘No, we’ll talk another day,’ freakin’ out like his usual self. I go back to my seat. I see him waving down Dana White. And I go, “Nah, there’s no way.’
“You can ask Dana White this…waves down Dana White and tells Dana White that I’m trying to fight him right there on sight. But this guy’s talking all this [MUTED] on the internet, that he’s a thug. Dana White’ll come out and tell you. Like, ‘Man, Masvidal was ready to go. This guy wanted no part of it,’” Masvidal continued.
“Dana White calls me over, he’s like, ‘Man, you trying to hand out three-pieces and a soda, Masvidal?! <Dana White laugh> No, but seriously, don’t [MUTED] fight here at the event.’ I’m like, ‘Bro, all I wanted to do was talk to the guy outside, bro. Now, he’s made it a problem by [MUTED] going to you…(he’s) snitching on me, you know?”
UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman doesn’t believe Colby Covington will have an overwhelming grappling advantage against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272 this weekend.
Ahead of Saturday’s main event, not many are better placed to provide a prediction and breakdown of the contest than Usman, a fighter who’s spent nearly 50 minutes in the Octagon with Covington and over half an hour in the cage with Masvidal.
Leading into the clash between “Chaos” and “Gamebred,” many are expecting the former to boast a considerable edge in the grappling and wrestling department. But despite securing five takedowns and managing over 10 minutes of control time in his first meeting with Masvidal, Usman believes the Miami native can hold his own.
During a recent interview with Megan Olivi for ESPN MMA, Usman was asked whether he expects Covington to utilize an “overwhelming” grappling advantage inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.
“The Nigerian Nightmare” responded by suggesting Masvidal’s ability to return to his feet was surprising to him and leads him to believe any advantage in that realm for Covington won’t be substantial.
“No, I don’t think so. I think the thing that Jorge does very well is his ability to get back up,” said Usman. “And I was actually shocked in my fight with him because I am more of a control guy, and so his ability to get back up a few times let me know that this is something that he’s done for a long, long time. I think Covington understands that as well.”
With that in mind, the reigning welterweight titleholder expects Covington to plan accordingly. Rather than push for top control on the ground, Usman expects the former interim champion to employ a grueling approach that will have the aim of fatiguing Masvidal.
“I don’t think that’s Covington’s plan. I don’t think his plan is to hold him down. I think his plan is to drag him down, make him get back up, and drag him back down; make him get up and drag him back down. Eventually, wear him out,” Usman concluded.
While some have branded it a classic striker vs. grappler contest, Covington’s displays on the feet against Usman and Masvidal’s ability to avoid ground control means the clash has many more dimensions to it.
Do you agree with Kamaru Usman’s take on Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal’s grappling?
Following blockbuster 2022 headliners at UFC 270 and 271, which saw a heavyweight unification showdown in California and a long-awaited middleweight rematch in Houston, Las Vegas is set to play host to the year’s first non-title pay-per-view main event.
Heading into this weekend’s welterweight collision, many have understandably branded the headliner a classic grappler vs. striker contest. One man who’s faced the different attacks of both Masvidal and Covington is Usman.
Discussing Masvidal’s skills, Usman suggested “Gamebred” has all the tools to battle Covington’s imposing wrestling game and land damaging shots on the feet.
“I think he (Masvidal) can potentially win this fight because one thing about Masvidal is he’s one of the only guys who is, in his stance, he’s so tall in his stance,” said Usman. “But he’s able to defend takedowns from some of the best wrestlers. He’s very, very good; his striking is so relaxed and so fast, and if he’s able to touch you, it might not feel as hard, but he can touch that button and shut the lights out.
“Being able to run across the Octagon in five seconds and land a knee like that (against Ben Askren) just shows the different level of athleticism,” Usman continued. “He’s an athlete, he’s a skilled striker, he’s a skilled fighter, and he definitely has the tools to be able to land that shot to steal this fight away from Covington.”
Usman: Masvidal Won’t Be As Easy To Take Down As Covington Thinks
The leading narrative heading into UFC 272 fight week is the history between the two headliners. Having trained together, cornered each other, and lived with one another, Masvidal and Covington head into their grudge match with perhaps more information than they’ve ever had on an opponent.
But despite that, Usman believes both may be underestimating each other’s growth since their unceremonious split.
The reigning welterweight king suggested Masvidal will be a lot harder to take down than Covington will be anticipating, a sentiment he believes also applies across the cage to Masvidal’s standup expectations.
“One thing I will say is I think in this fight, Colby’s going to realize that it’s harder to take Masvidal down in an actual fight than when they were in practice,” Usman suggested. “I know in his mind, he’s gonna expect it to be like it was when they practiced. But they spent some time apart now, and I think he’s gonna realize it’s a lot harder to take him down in a fight than it is in practice.
“And Masvidal, on the flip side, he’s gonna realize that it’s a lot harder to strike with this guy now than back when I was beating him up when he first came into the sport,” concluded Usman.
Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington
While predictions may be split and the result up in the air, one thing is certain as we enter fight week: We’re set for an animosity-fueled and hostile pre-fight build. For those set to attend the press conference on Thursday, that’s undoubtedly a mouth-watering prospect.
Who do you think will have their hand raised in the UFC 272 main event, Colby Covington or Jorge Masvidal?
Maryna Moroz will fight at UFC 272 despite Vladimir Putin’s advances on the country’s land and independence.
Born in Vilnohirsk, Ukraine, Moroz has family members to worry about during her grudge match with Kazakhstan’s Mariya Agapova on March 5.
The entire world is shaken up by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attacks against Ukraine. The act of war has and continues to take innocent Ukrainian lives.
But “The Iron Lady’s” spirit remains strong during the tragedy. And in an interview with TMZ Sports, she had a few choice words for the Russian President:
“F**k you, bitch! I love my country. Don’t touch Ukraine!”
A multitude of Russian and Ukrainian athletes have openly stated they disagree with Putin’s actions and are against war. It is a scary thought that while fighting for their country’s respect and honor, many athletes are without their families during this catastrophic time.
“It’s hard time for Ukraine. I want to support my country, my president, whole army in Ukraine, and I want to say we don’t want war. I worry about my family right now,” Moroz continued to say.
Of course, the pressure of the fight exists but it is much bigger than that now. Moroz carries Ukrainian pride and will do her best to prove the strength and resilience of her people.
“I will be fighting and I show that Ukraine people are strong, and my flag will be in the Octagon.”
Moroz joins a long list of European athletes, from soccer to MMA, competing in championships while reading the horrific news of the war on Ukraine. The UFC fighter is currently on a two-fight win streak and will look to stay in the winner’s circle despite the absence of peace in her home country.
Although appreciative of the Brazilian fighter’s energy, Holland is not opposed to making this Oliveria’s last fight.
Coming into his next bout with 3 back-to-back losses–2 via submission—plus, the emotion he expressed walking into the Niko Price fight, Holland believes the 33-year-old is due to retire.
Niko Price and Alex Oliveira, Photo Credit: ESPN
“(He’s) pretty awesome. The dude has really, really good energy, so it’s going to be fun to go out there and scrap with him. But I think he’s a little older and a few steps behind, so I’m looking to go out there and exploit that. It looked like he was ready to retire in his last fight with all the crying, so if he wants a warm welcome out… I think my coach was the first person to beat him in like a jiu-jitsu match or something like that. If you look it up, Travis Lutter was like his first L on the record book thing. So I could be his last. From master to student; sounds good to me,” Holland told MMAFightingonSBN.
It will be another battle of redemption in the UFC. With the exception of Holland’s “clash of heads” no-contest against Kyle Daukaus back in October, both fighters enter the cage coming off losses and looking ahead into a brighter 2022.
In addition, their stats are nearly equal. Both fighters have 12 knockouts and 5 submission wins under their belts.
Both fighters carry big smiles and their energy is synonymous with confidence and entertainment. Indeed, the matchup is sure to cause a roar from the audience at the UFC APEX. And if things go as Holland envisions, it will be the final time Oliveira hears this response from a live crowd.
Are you excited for Holland vs Oliveira at UFC 272?
Joanna Jędrzejczyk says welterweight star Jorge Masvidal will have the full support of American Top Team ahead of his fight at UFC 272.
Masvidal will square off against his former friend and former ATT teammate, Colby Covington in the UFC 272 headliner. It is arguably one of the most highly-anticipated grudge matches in UFC history.
Covington split from ATT amidst his rise in success in the UFC welterweight division. His trash talk combined with tense relationships with teammates such as Masvidal led to him moving to train at MMA Masters.
During a recent interview with The Schmo, Jędrzejczyk previewed the fight and why Masvidal is fighting for more than just bragging rights.
“Man, it’s a big fight,” Jędrzejczyk said. “It’s going to be one of the biggest fights of 2022. And Jorge Masvidal has (the) ATT nation behind his back, but Colby is hell of a fighter, very dedicated. I remember them both training here. They used to do training together for one and a half hours and do some extra training together after. So they both are very dedicated, very talented, but I feel like Jorge is going to surprise like he did in the fight with Ben Askren or Darren Till, for example.”
Masvidal has lost back-to-back fights to UFC Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who will be in attendance for the fight. He was originally slated to face Leon Edwards at UFC 269 before withdrawing from the fight due to an injury.
Covington and ATT have a very public and complicated history, and Masvidal will look to exact revenge for Jędrzejczyk, Dustin Poirier, and others who have been victims of Covington’s relentless banter.
What is your prediction for Jorge Masvidal vs. Colby Covington?
Jorge Masvidal claims that the origin of Colby Covington’s outspoken persona did not begin for the reasons his former teammate claims it did.
Prior to his 2017 fight against Demian Maia, Colby Covington was on a four-fight winning streak and had a UFC record of 7-1. Yet, according to Covington, that was not enough for the UFC. He claims the promotion said they were going to cut him despite the fact that he was winning because he was not entertaining enough.
As the story goes, it was this warning that led to the infamous “filthy animals” Octagon interview after he defeated Demian Maia in São Paulo, Brazil.
At the time of this promo, Covington and Masvidal were still teammates and close friends. And Masvidal claims to have direct knowledge that the reason for Covington’s promo had absolutely nothing to do with the UFC putting him on notice.
“The UFC didn’t say that. Colby said that,” Masvidal told ESPN in reference to the true origin of the “bad boy” side of Covington.
Masvidal went on to state that he, not unlike the Brazilian audience, was blindsided by the promo.
“I didn’t know that it was coming. I was like, ‘Man, I don’t know how I feel about that. Because for me to have to diss a whole nation to get my name out there, to me, is like—damn. Especially in Brazil. There’s a lot of kids suffering. There’s a lot of hungry people out there. You’re kinda going too far.”
Masvidal went on to say that he told Colby that what he said was wrong, and Covington did not take the criticism well.
Masvidal: Jędrzejczyk & Nunes Have Both Confronted Covington
During his fallout with American Top Team, Colby Covington did not only target Jorge Masvidal. He has also had words about Dustin Poirier and two female leaders of the gym: Joanna Jędrzejczyk and, allegedly, ex-teammate Amanda Nunes.
Masvidal questions why Covington would speak about Jędrzejczyk and Nunes at all if his aim was just to sell pay-per-views as he claims.
“Why’s he talking about Joanna? Why is he talking about Amanda? Is he gonna fight them? Is he gonna make pay-per-views with them? Because his whole thing is like, <whimpering> ‘UFC was gonna cut me. I need to sell pay-per-views,’” Masvidal said.
Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Colby Covington
“You’re gonna sell pay-per-views when you fight Amanda? Why are you insulting women? Why are you bringing up women and things that you would do to them, this and that? Like, you’re a [MUTED] coward. And then he would see Amanda like, ‘Hey, Amanda, it’s just businesses.’ I’ve seen him myself do that. Same thing with Joanna. Same thing with numerous guys.”
According to Jędrzejczyk, Jorge Masvidal has all of American Top Team on his back when he faces Colby Covington this Saturday at UFC 272. The night will present Masvidal with an opportunity to avenge all the teammates Covington trashed in the past. And no matter what was the origin of Covington’s decision to begin behaving in such an abrasive manner, Masvidal will look to put an end to it once and for all in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What do you make of Jorge Masvidal’s remarks about Colby Covington’s persona?
After two years of build-up, the “former friends turned bitter rivals” story starring Colby “Chaos” Covington and Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal will reach its climax.
It’s fight week, and we now are limited to five more days of torrid trash talk between former chums Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. Both fighters are coming off a loss to Kamaru Usman in their latest fight and will be looking to reroute back to the top of the division, beginning with this grudge match.
In the co-main event, Rafael dos Anjos will be competing against Renato Moicano. And in another featured bout, rising featherweight Bryce Mitchell will be tested against proven vet Edson Barboza.
“This isn’t gonna be a baptism. This is gonna be Street Judas’ funeral.” – Colby Covington
Colby Covington, Getty Images
At UFC 272, Colby Covington will look to put an end to Jorge Masvidal as we know him. The Countdown video captures the intensity and the “Chaos” that Covington plans to bring with him into the Octagon when he seeks to close out this dramatic chapter of his career.
“I’m gonna look at him. You know what the [BLEEP] I’m talkin’ about, man. I brought you in, and I’m gonna take your ass out.” – Jorge masvidal
At UFC 272, Jorge Masvidal finally gets the opportunity he’s been craving: to be the man to silence Colby Covington. The Countdown video captures Masvidal explaining why he feels it’s his responsibility to wipe Covington off the MMA map.
Overall, the Countdown video does a thorough job of telling both sides of the story of how the two became friends, when and why things went sour, and just how eager they are to finally settle matters.
“In my mind, I want to do this forever because I’m a fighter. – Edson Barboza
Edson Barboza, Credit: USA TODAY Sports
UFC iron man Edson Barboza will be entering year 12 of his UFC tenure at UFC 272 when he takes on Bryce Mitchell. The Countdown video captures what makes Barboza such a thrilling, must-see staple of the UFC roster.
“When the fight first starts, it’s basically gonna be like a little simmer. When I get him down, it’s a boil. And when I get him in certain spots, it’s a pressure cook. If I can get him in certain spots where I can pressure-cook him, then that meat’s gonna fall off the bone.” – Bryce Mitchell
Bryce Mitchell (Image Credit: Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
At UFC 272, 27-year-old grappling maestro Bryce Mitchell will try to add the biggest feather in his fresh cap by defeating Edson Barboza. The Countdown video captures the “grappling vs. striker” dynamic of this fight in large part by highlighting Mitchell’s impressive submission skills.
The co-main event between Rafael dos Anjos and Renato Moicano is not featured in the Countdown video due to the last-minute nature of that booking.
UFC 272 takes place this Saturday, March 5, 2022, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Neva. You can find the full card and viewing information below followed by the UFC 272 Countdown video.
Main Card (Pay-Per-View, 8:00 PM ET)
Jorge Masvidal vs. Colby Covington
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Renato Moicano
Edson Barboza vs. Bryce Mitchell
Kevin Holland vs. Alex Oliveira
Sergey Spivak vs. Greg Hardy
Preliminary Card (ESPN/ESPN+, 6:00 PM ET)
Jamie Mullarkey vs. Jalin Turner
Yan Xiaonan vs. Marina Rodriguez
Nicolae Negumereanu vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
Mariya Agapova vs. Maryna Moroz
Early Preliminary Card (ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass, 4:00 PM ET)
Brian Kelleher vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Tim Elliott vs. Tagir Ulanbekov
Ludovit Klein vs. Devonte Smith
Dustin Jacoby vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
Without further ado, you can check out the UFC 272 Countdown video below!
UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling has made a promise ahead of his unification showdown with rival Petr Yan at UFC 273.
Sterling’s reign atop the 135-pound mountain was forged in controversial fashion at UFC 259 last March. Against Yan, a Russian star who was predicted by many to rule the division for a long time, “Funk Master” emerged with the belt after eating an illegal knee to the head in the fourth round.
A subsequent disqualification jumped Sterling from likely defeat to champion status. While the illegal nature of the blow he sustained is undeniable, many doubted, and continue to criticize, Sterling’s reaction to it and failure to continue.
Some, including fellow UFC peers like Darren Till and Henry Cejudo, even mocked the new champ by suggesting he had delivered an acting performance worthy of an Academy Award.
Nominated for an Oscar this year are: Robert de niro Leonardo dicaprio Margot Robbie Aljamain Sterling #UFC259
Having missed out on the ‘Best Actor’ honor to Anthony Hopkins at last April’s Oscars, Sterling is hoping to go one better than public nominee this time around…
Sterling Vows To Outdo Denzel Washington At UFC 273
Once again embracing the jokes and de-legitimization of his championship status, as he often has, the New York native assured fans he’s been hard at work to reach a Denzel Washington-level of performance at UFC 273.
“Well, I’ve been training a lot, a lot of PT. They have these schools out here, these acting schools. I’ve been going to a lot of those, putting in a lot of extra time,” said Sterling. “So you guys are gonna see a much better [Academy-Award-winning] performance this time. And you guys are gonna be shocked, man. Denzel [Washington] really doesn’t have anything on me. I’m telling you right now. Denzel, Training Day, John Q—nothin’.”
Given the ongoing prominent fighter pay debate, there’s perhaps a comparison to be made between Washington’s John Q character and the UFC fighters pushing for better remuneration.
While he’s been more than happy to engage in memes and jokes surrounding his title crowning last year, Sterling will certainly be looking to focus on the task at hand come April 9.
He will no doubt acknowledge himself as the only true champion in the division, but some believe interim titleholder Yan holds that crown. UFC 273 will provide a chance for Sterling to legitimize his reign once and for all. Against a fighter like “No Mercy,” he’ll have a tough task on his hands.
Who do you think will leave UFC 273 as the undisputed bantamweight king, Aljamain Sterling or Petr Yan?
UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal thinks a win over former American Top Team teammate Colby Covington will earn him a title shot.
Masvidal will face his friend-turned-foe Covington in the main event of UFC 272. The two top welterweights will settle their ongoing beef in the Octagon in a matchup set for five rounds.
Masvidal and Covington are both looking to get back into the welterweight title picture after losses to Kamaru Usman. Covington most recently fell to Usman via unanimous decision at UFC 268, and Masvidal is coming off back-to-back losses to Usman at UFC 251 and UFC 261.
Masvidal and Covington’s chances at another shot at Usman appear to be on life support after falling short in multiple opportunities. But during a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Masvidal sounded optimistic about what a win over Covington would do for his title shot odds.
“He’s got the number-one ranking, so it’s gotta do something, right?” Masvidal said. “Because those rankings, as much bullshit that I think they are, he does have the number one. So there’s no denying me. If I’m number one, there’s no denying me, and that’s it. What has to happen has to happen.”
Masvidal was supposed to face Leon Edwards at UFC 269 before pulling out with an injury. He is fully recovered from his injury and appears ready to potentially make another run at the belt in 2022.
Before his back-to-back losses to Usman, Masvidal earned finishes over Ben Askren and Darren Till, along with a doctor’s stoppage win over Nate Diaz. He remains one of the UFC’s biggest stars and will look to capitalize on another main event opportunity at UFC 272.
What is your prediction for Jorge Masvidal vs. Colby Covington?
Now, the former teammates are set to face one another at UFC 272 on March 5 and ahead of the scrap, Moroz doubled down on the trash-talk of Agapova. The event will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be headlined by a grudge match between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal.
“Before, I said she’s a dangerous person and it’s true. She used drugs, we have all the proof. Videos, screenshots, everything. And of course, I didn’t post it. I don’t need to. I don’t need my Instagram showing garbage,” Moroz said to CageSide Press. “This girl is garbage. I don’t want my Instagram looking like garbage. I show OnlyFans, beautiful pictures, but now I can show the journalists who is real and who is who. ‘Mashka’ is a person who is a liar, very dangerous. In interviews, she’s ‘Oh, I’m nice girl, I’m training,’” Moroz continued. “Of course, she trains, but she used drugs. She was crazy and dangerous saying she’d kill me and want to cut my face.”
Given the history between the two, this fight will be highly anticipated. Agapova called for it to happen and got her wish, as she said that she wanted to punish Moroz for her comments. She will get her chance to do so at UFC 272.
What do you make of Maryna Moroz’s trash talk about her former teammate in Mariya Agapova?
BMF Champion Jorge Masvidal won’t pull any punches if a rematch happens against Nate Diaz.
UFC 272 goes underway on March 5. Masvidal will face his former training partner and rival Colby Covington. The headlining event is sure to drop jaws as pre-fight tension is at an all-time high.
The two fighters are going back and forth with vicious verbal attacks on social media and interviews, setting up what could be the most hate-fueled fight in recent history. However, a recent uptick in Masvidal’s rivalry with Nate Diaz may bump the Covington fight down a few notches.
The conflict between Masividal and Diaz has been brewing since their first battle in 2019. The fight ended in a doctor stoppage at the end of round 3. And although Masvidal was the winner and claimed the BMF belt, of course, Nate Diaz would not let that be the end of it.
Jorge Masvidal, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Nate Diaz; Photo Credit: Getty Images
Social media would see a lot of tweets from Diaz expressing his honest disapproval of Masvidal as well as mocking him. Because of this, Masvidal feels disrespected by Diaz and would be willing to fight him before a rematch with Usman after the Covington fight.
“That little fu***** broomstick keeps talking, you’re going to have to go at some point, you know. [When] I take Colby’s a** out, if I gotta wait for Usman, it could be you that gets this a**whooping, bro… Let’s fu***** go, man, I’m gonna break your fu***** face, bro,” said Masvidal (h/t SportsKeeda),
Many fighters know the game of trash talk. With many fights, it is the foundation to get fans pumped to watch. For Masvidal, he would just love the opportunity to shut Diaz up.
Another title shot is still on “Gamebred’s” mind. However, it can be put on hold so long as he gets a rematch against Diaz.
“It’s not a call out. After handling business, I’m going for the title, and if I don’t have time to go for the title, I’m gonna break your fu***** face for all the s*** talking you’ve done,” Masvidal continued.
Only time will tell if Masvidal and Diaz will run it back. Clearly, though, it is a priority on Masvidal’s list. Fans will have to wait and see if Diaz will be on board.
What are your thoughts on the prospect of Masvidal vs. Diaz 2?
Jessica Eye has revealed that she wants to wrestle in All Elite Wrestling.
A little over a week until UFC 272 and Jessica already has her “Evil” eye on another athletic venture.
Eye will face Manon Fiorot on March 5 in an early preliminary bout. Her French opponent is currently on a dominant eight-fight win streak, suffering only one loss via split decision–at the start of her professional MMA career.
Jessica’s last bout was in 2021 against Jennifer Maia at UFC 264. After losing the match, Eye had an opportunity for redemption a few months later. However, the bout was canceled due to Eye being hospitalized for an illness.
It will be Eye’s 30th professional match at UFC 272. And after several back-to-back losses, it will be her chance to get back in the winner’s circle.
However, win or lose, she wants a slice of All Elite Wrestling.
Recently, on February 21, Jessica Eye made a statement in regards to AEW.
Short and sweet. And with a long list of other MMA fighters that have jumped on the AEW bandwagon, Eye would fit perfectly.
She will join Paige Vanzant, Junior Dos Santos, Kayla Harrison, and many others that made cameos on the professional wrestling show. Even the BMF champ Jorge Masvidal got the AEW audience riled up when he made an appearance.
With fighter pay still an ongoing issue within the UFC, many of the promotion’s fighters have branched out, or retired, to acquire money elsewhere. Eye, currently 15 wins, 10 losses, and 1 No Contest, maybe another addition to that growing list.
Her possible transition to AEW begs the question: face or heel? The nickname “Evil” may prompt fans to push for the latter.
What are your thoughts on Jessica Eye wanting to wrestle in AEW?
