Colby Covington vs Chris Weidman: All-American vs All-American
More than almost anybody, two men in the UFC are synonymous for sporting the American flag Chris Weidman and Colby Covington. People may know them best now for their work in the cage but long before Covington was “Chaos” and Weidman was “The All-American” both men were All-Americans.
Donning the Oregon State singlet in college, Covington qualified for the NCAA National Tournament in his junior season before placing fifth in the nation in 2011 as a senior, defeating Virginia’s Christopher Henrich by the score of 3-2.
Covington’s cardio has always been one of his most effective weapons and this began on the wrestling mat. Briefly spending time in the Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling room, his motor and aggression made him one of the most dangerous wrestlers in the nation. Perfectly on display throughout his entire collegiate career, he wrestled the full seven minutes pressuring, re-attacking and forcing opponents to defend.
These intangibles matched up with elite top control earned him a JuCo National Title before finishing his NCAA career on the podium.
Standing opposite Covington at RAF09, Chris Weidman had a very similar path. Finishing his JuCo career as a two-time All-American, Weidman would transfer to Hofstra University where he would pull in two NCAA All-American trophies, including a third place finish in 2007.
Almost exactly opposite of Covington, Weidman paved his road to the podium with extremely clean fundamentals, positional perfection and a very well-rounded offensive game. He wasn’t going to machine gun opponents to death like Covington, but he made the most of every attack and rarely wasted attacks.
Since graduating, Covington’s cardio game has somehow leveled up. His pace will go down as one of the most smothering in MMA history and was a key factor in his RAF debut where he defeated former UFC Champion Luke Rockhold by the score of 12-0. Covington had no problems striking but some of the most feared grapplers in the division did everything in their power to keep fights with him on the feet and for good reason.
Where Weidman is most known for what he did with his fists, he’s spent the last decade plus becoming one of the most balanced grapplers out there, coupling his All-American Wrestling pedigree with a BJJ black belt from Matt Serra and Renzo Gracie. Regardless of the endeavor, Weidman perfects mechanics and can always fall back on a solid base of fundamentals.
To overcome Weidman’s discipline and base of skill, Covington will need to make the match a war of pace. It’s no secret this will be one of the biggest points of emphasis for Covington. Few people in any sport have had the stamina necessary to stay sharp against him for the duration of competition.
He’ll also need to win hand fights early. Covington’s path starts with ties. If he can control wrists and head position he can thwart Weidman’s ability to get clean shots which is crucial with Weidman’s success rate on offense.
For Weidman, striking first gives him an extreme advantage. With his accurate offense and Covington’s constant pressure and pace, should Weidman get him on his heels early, Covington will be forced to force offense and attack more often, leaving himself exposed. Even something as simple as forcing step-outs early changes Covington’s gameplan.
A former UFC welterweight interim champion, Covington officially notified the UFC of his retirement earlier this month, saying he wants to put all of his focus into RAF and his first love, wrestling. Covington is currently 2-0 in RAF, with wins over Luke Rockhold and Dillon Danis, but Weidman represents a big step up in competition for the former NCAA All-American.
Soon to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, Weidman is a former UFC middleweight champion and two-time NCAA All-American wrestler. Weidman retired in MMA in 2024, but after he was called out by Covington for an RAF match, “The All-American” laced up the boots once again and is ready to make his return to competition.
Check out the live blog for Covington vs. Weidman below.
Period 1
Weidman out with pyro and draped in the American flag. He’s got a knee sleeve on.
Covington out with the straps down, pyro going. He’s looking very serious for such a not serious thing.
Weidman is significantly bigger than Covington. Covington pressing forward but it works against him as Weidman uses the momentum for a throw getting two points. Weidman trying to turn a gut wrench but cannot pull it off.
2-0 Weidman.
Collar tie fighting here, and after a stall, referee warns Covington for something. They continue working in the tie-up. Covington tries a crack down, but he’s much smaller and can’t get anything off. And referee puts Covington on the shot clock.
He does change levels, shooting to a single leg and he gets deep in, but Weidman is counter wrestling the back leg and tries to even turn for back exposure. Covington also looking for back exposure in this scramble but I don’t know what’s happening. And just before the bell, another possible back exposure? We’ll see if that counts.
Scorboard currently says 5-0 Weidman, but there’s a challenge and no one knows what the score is supposed to be. Let’s sort this out.
Period 2
So, after some deliberation, the judges settle the score at 4-2 for Weidman. Not sure how we got there, but that’s the score.
Collar tie fighting to start. Covington pressing forward but Weidman defending. Covington tries to duck under but Weidman with an underhook and almost takes him down. Covington stays wrestling though and gets to a slide by, scoring a takedown as Weidman appears to be getting tired.
4-4.
Weidman has not been competing as regularly as Covington and Covington has always had a gas tank. This could go downhill for Weidman as he is definitely slowing. His defense is more labored and Covington keeps working hard in this tie-up.Weidman holding on now, not attacking.
4-4 to end the period.
Period 3
Right into a tie-up. And Covington drops for a single off this, but Weidman defends and trying to work a snap down. Covington build back up and the referee puts Weidman on the shot clock. Weidman does not look concerned about forcing the issue here and he gives up the point.
5-4 Weidman.
Weidman looking tired as Covington keeps coming forward. And with short time Weidman shoots but Covington steps out. He shoots again but Covington defends and he will squeak by with a hard-fought win.
Official Decision
Colby Covington def. Chris Weidman via Points (5-4)
Post Match
“Arman, you’re a spoiled little brat. You’ve been talking the talk, let’s see if you can walk the walk!”
He says some more, but Arman Tsarukyan shows up.
“Colby, today, you looked so bad.”
Seems like this is the next match. July 18th, Milwaukee. And we get a faceoff.
by mmavk.com
