[autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] made a statement Saturday night: He’s back and has fully shaken off his loss to UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
In his first fight since his memorable fifth-round stoppage loss to Usman, Covington (16-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) looked sharp in a one-sided victory over former titleholder [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag].
Covington dominated the bulk of the bout before a Woodley (19-6-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) rib injury with his opponent in dominant position brought an end to things, giving Covington the victory at the 1:19 mark of the fifth round.
Covington’s wrestling game was on point, his cardio on display and his striking surgical in a one-sided unanimous decision victory in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 36.
The former interim welterweight champ set the tone early whenn he scored a takedown in the opening minute and worked from top control. In the second, Woodley got back into the fight and delivered the fight’s closest round, as the duo both landed a variety of strikes and by and large neutralized one another in the grappling department.
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But things went back downhill for Woodley at the start of the third when he took an accidental eye poke that necessitated a timeout. From there, Covington resumed control and cruised through the third.
The fourth round was five minutes of dominance by Covington. He outstruck Woodley 113-2. In the fifth, he again was in top position when Woodley suddenly yelled and indicated his ribs were injured. Referee Dan Miragliotta waved the bout off, giving Covington the TKO.
The win is Covington’s eight in his past nine fights. Woodley has lost three in a row, all in a one-sided manner.
The welterweight bout was the UFC on ESPN+ 36 main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It streamed on ESPN+.
Complete UFC on ESPN+ 36 results:
- Colby Covington def. Tyron Woodley via TKO (injury) — Round 1, 1:19
- Donald Cerrone vs. Niko Price declared majority draw (29-27 Cerrone, 28-28, 28-28)
- Khamzat Chimaev def. Gerald Meerschaert via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:17
- Johnny Walker def. Ryan Spann via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:43
- Mackenzie Dern def. Randa Markos via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:44
- Kevin Holland def. Darren Stewart via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- David Dvorak def. Jordan Espinosa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Damon Jackson def. Mirsad Bektic via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 1:21
- Mayra Bueno Silva def. Mara Borella via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:29
- Jessica-Rose Clark def. Sarah Alpar via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 4:21
- Darrick Minner def. T.J. Laramie via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:52
- Randy Costa def. Journey Newson via knockout (head kick) – Round 1, 0:41
- Andre Ewell def. Irwin Rivera via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Tyson Nam def. Jerome Rivera via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 0:34
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