UFC 268: USMAN VS. COVINGTON 2

[The Oracle]

Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET); Prelims (8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, 6:15 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+)



MAIN CARD

• Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington TITLE FIGHT
• Rose Namajunas vs. Zhang Weili TITLE FIGHT
• Frankie Edgar vs. Marlon Vera
• Shane Burgos vs. Billy Quarantillo
• Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler

Usman vs Covington......Usman is the best 170lber that has ever graced the octagon. He's just a little better than Colby everywhere. Plus like Rose and Gaethje he is trained by Trevor Whittman. Who is one of the best out there at present. Usman has shown consistent improvement in his last few fights and has the advantage psychologically since he stopped Covington last time out. Colby has changed camps a short while back leaving ATT for MMA Masters. That's a step down in my opinion. And as much as I admire his ability to play a heel and make things interesting I just don't see how he pulls this one off. Cheering for Covington but it's a long shot.

Rose vs Zhang Weili.......Namajunas is my favourite fighter in the UFC. She's long and uses her feints and movement to set up her attacks. Her footwork is impeccable and her ground game is formidable. Her mental toughness has been questioned in the past but she looked on point this week. Zhang is a powerhouse who comes straight ahead with devastating kicks and punches. She moved her training to the States to work with Henry Cejudo this time. So expect her to implement some wrestling into her game this time around. It's funny that despite being KO'ed by Rose last time Weili is still favoured by the bookies. I'm picking Rose to overcome the odds again and win a close 5 rounder. Although I question whether she will be able to keep pace with Weili pressure for 5 rounds. Whittman will have her trained for this I'm sure.

Gaethje vs Chandler........Justin used to be a low IQ fighter who just threw caution to the wind and went for broke right from the get go. But Whittman has reeled him in. He's more measured now and sets up his attacks. He's got the hardest leg kicks in the game right now and quick hands to go along with tremendous cardio and solid chin. Didn't like what I saw in his ground game against Khabib however. He looked like a fish out of water on his back. And this is where Chandler will have to put him to win this. But the question can he? Michael has been slept a few times now and he doesn't have the same chin as he used to. I'm guessing Chandler can't get him down and is going get his legs chopped from underneath him. Setting him up tp get KO'ed standing. This one will be over fast

 

[versitile1]

I think Usman wins by KO. He’s just bigger, stronger, faster, more explosive, better technique. I feel like Colby’s only paths to victory are flash KO (he’s never shown that kind of power, but anybody can get KO’d), or DQ/injury. Covington is a pressure fighter, who breaks his opponents, and that doesn’t happen to Usman, who’s never been taken down in the UFC.

Thug Rose will win if she can use her footwork to avoid the takedown. She will have to make Weili miss, counter, circle out, without getting clipped by Zhang’s power.

Chandler vs. Gaethje will not go the distance. Michael’s got something to prove after losing to Oliveira for the belt and he’s got the one punch power to put anybody in that division away. His chin has been suspect since forever and doesn’t go to his great wrestling when he gets in trouble. Justin has a legendary chin and Wittman has taught him elite striking and footwork. I think JG takes this one but the smart money is on the under.

 

[The Oracle]

I think Usman wins by KO. He’s just bigger, stronger, faster, more explosive, better technique. I feel like Colby’s only paths to victory are flash KO (he’s never shown that kind of power, but anybody can get KO’d), or DQ/injury. Covington is a pressure fighter, who breaks his opponents, and that doesn’t happen to Usman, who’s never been taken down in the UFC.

Thug Rose will win if she can use her footwork to avoid the takedown. She will have to make Weili miss, counter, circle out, without getting clipped by Zhang’s power.

Chandler vs. Gaethje will not go the distance. Michael’s got something to prove after losing to Oliveira for the belt and he’s got the one punch power to put anybody in that division away. His chin has been suspect since forever and doesn’t go to his great wrestling when he gets in trouble. Justin has a legendary chin and Wittman has taught him elite striking and footwork. I think JG takes this one but the smart money is on the under.

Colby got off to a rough start and by the time he started to find his groove he was to far behind to make up the ground. Both fighters showed remarkable improvements though. Usman showed his class afterwards by praising Covington for his toughness. He's learning how to represent himself as a true champion and a legit GOAT contender. Covington went pure Covington in the post fight presser....LOL.....Didn't concede anything and was as obnoxious as ever. It's evident he wants Masvidal next......

Rose found the weakness in Zhangs game. She struggles getting up from bottom. And while it wasn't the most action packed fight in the world it was an interesting style matchup and like a chess match at time. Esparza will be next for Rose I guess. Don't see Carla doing well there at all. She'll get picked apart from range. Zhang accepted she got beat and was very humble and gracious in defeat. Perhaps a rematch will Joanna Jedrzejcyk is next for her. Who wouldn't want to see that.

Michael Chandler proved his chin is better than what we though and he's one tough son of a gun. If that was a five rounder the result might have favoured him. He seemed fresher in the third. Having said that Gaethje was just better in all areas. And those low leg kicks are fight changers. He was full value for his win in one of the best fights of the year. He should be next in line for a title shot.

 

[Sonic Temple]

Great fight night, love the Nightmare - this guys is solid - is there anyone who even comes close in his division. I don't think so - man he looks indestructible.

 

[Charlemagne]

Usman may have trouble with bigger punchers if he moves to middleweight. Colby stunned him a couple times, maybe Khamzat may cause him some issues.

I didn't like how Thug Rose did the whole GSP "lay and prey" thing in the 5th round to win the fight. Otherwise, it was pretty good. Rose's leg probably couldn't take any more kicks by that point though.

 

[Birdenthusiast]

Nobody wants to see Usman vs. Leon Edwards for a second time if Leon beats Masvidal next month.

And nobody wants to see Usman vs. Vincente Luque, although that's much more intriguing to me then another Leon Edwards fight. I'm not totally against this match up.

The people want to see Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman

Dana already said Chimaev should fight a top 10 then top 5 guy then we'll talk but the fans want Usman/Chimaev from what I've read.

Chimaev looks just crazy enough to actually somehow beat Usman.

I think Usman knows Chimaev is probably his toughest challenge and is already looking for ways to avoid fighting him. Talking about boxing Canelo

 

[Charlemagne]

Nobody wants to see Usman vs. Leon Edwards for a second time if Leon beats Masvidal next month.

And nobody wants to see Usman vs. Vincente Luque, although that's much more intriguing to me then another Leon Edwards fight. I'm not totally against this match up.

The people want to see Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman

Dana already said Chimaev should fight a top 10 then top 5 guy then we'll talk but the fans want Usman/Chimaev from what I've read.

Chimaev looks just crazy enough to actually somehow beat Usman.

I think Usman knows Chimaev is probably his toughest challenge and is already looking for ways to avoid fighting him. Talking about boxing Canelo

Chimaev is probably at least 2 or 3 fights away from a title shot. Edwards, Luque, and even Ponzinibbio (LOL) may get title shots before Chimaev does. I'd be surprised if Edwards and Luque weren't next.

 

[Birdenthusiast]

Chimaev vs Edwards.

Winner fights Usman in Spring 2022 makes a lot of sense to me.

Masvidal pulled out with an "undisclosed injury" (exactly what Colby suggested he do in Colby's post fight interview) freeing him up to be on the Ultimate Fighter with Colby, and also to fight in the Spring, and make a lot more money.

I'm no conspiracy theorist but ...