We take a look at Colby Covington – his relentless fighting style and remorseless personality that has earned him the name ‘Chaos’
Colby Covington’s journey in the UFC has been an absolute roller coaster. To think that he was one pitted to be cut from the company for his boring style and lack of persona, Covington made a 360-degree switch and embraced his nickname of ‘Chaos.’
You might despise him for his choices and resent him, but he surely made a name for himself thanks to the choices he made.
Inside the storm of ‘Chaos’
Covington rose to fame through his infamous octagon interview after he battered Demian Maia in his home country. That was the birth of ‘Chaos’ inside the octagon and he backed it up with his skills.
Covington’s foundation is his wrestling pedigree. The former All-Ameican banks on his grappling proficiency to force his will on his opponents. Although he’s not an elite striker, he has built up an all-round game that compliments his wrestling heavy style.
His striking places reliance on his cardio because he never stops throwing. He keeps on moving forward and throws shots from awkward angles, which eventually gets on the opponent’s nerves. His striking is like a smoke mirror that is usually intended to bewilder fighters and the takedown comes in a disguise even though it was anticipated.
His kicks are probably his most underrated skill. Like in the Robbie Lawler or Tyron Woodley fight, he never let them settle and get inside their favored boxing range because he kept on poking them with kicks. In doing so what he does is deplete the opponent of energy by constantly working the midsection. By the time he sets up a takedown attempt, fighters have worn their hands out trying to block his kick and stuff his takedowns. Covington even briefly managed to hurt the champion, Kamaru Usman, with one of his head kicks.
Covington’s chain wrestling is one of the finest in the UFC roaster. He might start off with a double let attempt, but swiftly transition to the back and make you carry his weight, while he keeps on elbowing and kneeing you from close distance. He wears on fighters and drains them till he eventually drowns them.
Colby Covington’s path to victory
Covington has to stay in a kick-boxing or shoot-boxing range against a pure boxer like Masvidal. He has to immediately take center of the octagon, which he usually does pretty effectively and keep Masvidal in range with teep kicks, mid-section kicks and attacking the knee caps.
If they get in range, Covington has to immediately engage a clinch and work some grappling exchanges. He has to invest in the earlier rounds at tiring Masvidal’s arms and legs, which in turn will pay dividends when he cranks his pressure up a notch.
Covington does not have the best jiu-jitsu or submission game in the division, but it would be interesting to watch him attempt some submission. His cardio, pressure and composure is his biggest paths to victory at UFC 272.
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