Colby Covington’s UFC future seems increasingly uncertain, and the question on many fans’ minds is whether it’s time for him to retire. Arch-nemesis Ian Garry recently stated, “We’re getting out with the old and in with the new,” signaling a potential shift in the division. Covington, once a dominant force, enjoyed a seven-fight win streak from 2016 to 2018, but his trajectory has taken a downturn since his win over Robbie Lawler. After that victory, his loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC 245 marked the beginning of a more inconsistent run. Out of his last six fights, he has lost four, leading many to question if the 37-year-old has reached the end of his career.
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping also weighed in on Covington’s decline. Discussing the former interim champ’s performance against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa last year, Bisping pointed out the surging 170-pounder’s recent triumphs before jumping to the dominance with which ‘New Mansa’ dominated ‘Chaos.’ Moreover, he also highlighted the severity of the gash Covington suffered, but emphasized that it was more than just the injury—his overall performance was lacking.
“And then last time in Tampa, Florida, he put an absolute beatdown on Colby Covington. Colby claims that he was stopped because of a cut. Yes! It was stopped because of a cut, but it was a bad cut, and it was a bad performance. Buckley was in control, he was out wrestling him, he was outworking him, he was landing the bigger shots, and that cut was nasty, okay?”
Bisping also referenced Covington’s history with Usman, noting that while Covington lost to Usman twice—once by stoppage and once by decision—his recent performances have shown a clear dip in his skill and resilience. “Colby Covington is someone who has a lot of history with Kamaru Usman. And yes, Kamaru fought him twice, beat him twice. First time it was stopped, the referee stepped in, and it looked like Colby was hurt. Then the second time it went to a decision, so you could look at that and go, ‘Wow, Buckley was able to stop it.’ But you gotta remember that was a younger version of Colby Covington and a much younger version of Kamaru Usman.”
Usman and Covington squared off twice, first at UFC 245 and again at UFC 268. In both encounters, Usman came out on top, with the first win coming via knockout/TKO and the second by unanimous decision. Covington, despite losing, put up a strong performance, especially considering he was 31 during UFC 245 and 33 at UFC 268.
Bisping, in his analysis, praised Covington for stepping in on short notice but also criticized his performance. “Colby Covington, fair play, I respect him,” Bisping said. “However, he wasn’t good enough, he wasn’t quick enough, he wasn’t powerful enough with the wrestling,” Bisping continued.
November 1, 2019, New York, New York, USA: Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington during the UFC 245 press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz at Madison Square Garden. UFC 245: Press Conference PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY – ZUMA 94726323st Copyright: xJasonxSilvax
Meanwhile, before Ian Garry clinched a win by surviving a late scare from Carlos Prates at UFC Kansas, he had mentioned how Covington and Usman should retire. He said to CBS Sports, “We’re getting rid of these people that are just trying to stay relevant like Kamaru and Colby, just trying to maintain relevancy by just talking on podcasts and trying to slag off Paddy Pimblett. That’s all they are now. They don’t want to fight. They’re not fighters anymore, they’re done.” The former middleweight champ seems to agree with the 27-year-old and recently mentioned his concern for Usman.
Michael Bisping gives a reality check to Kamaru Usman
Michael Bisping recently weighed in on Kamaru Usman’s upcoming fight against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta, suggesting that the outcome might be crucial for Usman’s future in the sport. Buckley, who had the crowd roaring after his stunning victory over Colby Covington at UFC Tampa, took many by surprise when he called out Usman. UFC CEO Dana White then confirmed that Usman would be making his return after nearly two years on the sidelines.
From 2015 to 2022, Usman was virtually untouchable, dominating opponents and establishing himself as one of the greatest in the division. However, following three consecutive losses, he’s fallen from the top of the sport. Despite that, Bisping offered a thoughtful perspective, acknowledging Usman’s status but emphasizing how important this fight could be.
On his YouTube channel, Bisping said, “If Kamaru Usman loses this fight, will that be the end of his career? I’m not throwing any shade. I’ve got nothing but the greatest respect and deep admiration for Kamaru Usman. He’s a solid human being and an incredible fighter. He’s been a great ambassador for this sport. However, 37 years old, hasn’t been too active, and if you lose 4th in a row, maybe it’s time to think about walking away from the sport.”
Usman’s legacy in the sport is already cemented, but as Bisping pointed out, this fight could determine whether or not the former champion closes this chapter of his career. The question remains: Has the old guard at 170lbs finally done? Only time will tell! Let us know what you think about Bisping’s verdict on Covington and Usman.
The post “It Was a Bad Cut” – Michael Bisping Puts Colby Covington in His Place for Making Excuses After Humiliating Loss to Joaquin Buckley appeared first on EssentiallySports.