rematch
UFC 268 predictions for Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington 2 from Jorge Masvidal, Daniel Cormier, Michael Bisping, Khamzat Chimaev and more
It could get very feisty on Saturday at Madison Square Garden when Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington meet for a second time.
The pair battled for Usman’s UFC welterweight title at UFC 245 in late 2019 in an absolute classic of a UFC title bout - and the pre-fight staredown this time suggests plenty of bad blood still exists.
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With things all square heading into the final round, Usman ended up securing the victory after breaking Covington’s jaw and grabbing a TKO victory.
What will happen this time around? Some of the biggest names in MMA have had their say.
Jorge Masvidal, former UFC welterweight challenger: Usman win
“I think who’s gonna win and who I want to win is Usman. I think the power that he showed in his last fights and the little bit of gaps that he’s been making is where Colby’s never felt comfortable and just can’t produce power.
“He’s tried his whole life to do it, you know. He can take all the steroids he wants and he’s still not gonna have power.”
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Daniel Cormier, former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion: Usman win
“Usman has shown he is still improving. How is this dude getting better?
"If Covington is going to find success in this fight, he has to wrestle. He has to find ways to get Usman down to the ground. Much easier said than done - Usman doesn’t get taken down. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him taken down in a fight."
Michael Bisping, UFC Hall of Famer: Usman win
“Kamaru has got to beat Colby this weekend and that is not set in stone. I would say Kamaru beats him and I think he would put on a dominant performance and I think he stops him again.
“But it’s not written in stone, Colby is showing up to cause an upset.
“First of all, the first fight was a really, really good fight and secondly, Colby is a controversial guy and a lot of people are going to tune in to watch this fight.
“There certainly is a case to be made for other people being more deserving, of course you can. However, this fight is happening and a lot of people are excited about it and Saturday night is going to be fantastic.
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“I’m excited to see how Colby is going to approach this one differently, I’m excited to see the strides in improvements Kamaru has made since his last fight.
“And if Kamaru beats him, we won’t have to hear from Colby and his bulls*** for quite some time, because he ain’t going to get a third crack!
“Listen, Colby for all his bulls*** and everything is a hell of a fighter. He fights at a tremendously high pace, he puts a beatdown on people, he brings a lot of excitement – pre-fight and post-fight – controversial yeah, but the guy is a star."
Glover Teixiera, UFC light heavyweight champion: Usman win
"I don't know. They're both very tough. Colby Covington is a super tough kid. Kamaru Usman is on a roll.
"If you give me one hundred dollars and say 'you have to bet this money' I'll bet on Kamaru Usman. It's hard to say because Colby he's - you know. Kamaru is just so smart.
"You see what he did with Masvidal in that first fight and you're thinking, 'Oh man, this fight might be a little different' but then he went out there and knocked him out."
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Jan Blachowicz, former UFC light heavyweight champion: Usman win
"Usman is, you know, he is a beast. So, he gonna win the fight."
Stephen Thompson, former UFC welterweight challenger: Usman win
“We know [Usman is] a phenomenal wrestler. He’s got a gas tank, but now he’s finishing guys. He just knocked out one of the best strikers in the welterweight division, Jorge Masvidal, and he’s putting people to sleep.
“He put Gilbert Burns to sleep with the jab. So he’s improving everywhere, not just his wrestling, but his striking as well. I think I got Kamaru Usman.
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“Kamaru Usman is going to put it on Colby Covington - put it on him. His striking is better than the last time they fought.
“He’s a very big welterweight. He’s a very strong welterweight and I think it’s going to go the same way he did last time. But in shorter time, you know, their wrestling is going to be neutral.
“They’re going to neutralise the wrestling. Both of them, they’re going to keep the fight standing and Kamaru is going to put him to sleep."
Khamzat Chimaev, 10-0 UFC sensation: Usman win
“I think Usman. I think it will be a decision actually, if no one gets injured in the fight. Nothing special with these guys. A wrestler and it will be a stand-up [fight].”
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Michael Chandler, former UFC lightweight title challenger: Usman win
“You know, people forget and discredit because Colby hurt his jaw and got finished that it was 2-2 going into that final round. I think Usman is now the pound-for-pound number one guy in the world and I think he deserves to be, but I do think Colby Covington poses a lot of threats and poses a tough test.
“But knowing Kamaru, the way he trains and the way he lives his life, I guarantee he is focused and prepared for this fight. I think Kamaru comes out with the win again but we’re in for an entertaining fight.”
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Dan Hooker, UFC lightweight: Usman win
“I think it will play out like the last one. When you have two high level wrestlers it’s too hard to try and take each other down, it takes too much energy. So it turns into a kickboxing/striking match and Usman has been looking better and better.
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“He’s been working with Trevor Wittman who is an absolute wizard so his striking is looking even better and I feel he’ll put on an even more impressive performance.”
Paddy Pimblett, UFC lightweight: Usman win
“Usman. TKO or knockout.”
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