K. Usman (right) knocks out C. Covington (left). Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc
A real battle. The main fight of UFC 245, held this Saturday (14), promoted a war between the champion Kamaru Usman and the controversial Colby covington, valid for the welterweight title (up to 77kg.). After five hard-fought rounds, the Nigerian fulfilled his promise and scored an unprecedented knockout in the American's life.
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After the knockout was declared, Colby was dissatisfied and criticized the referee's decision to end the fight. In the interview after the victory, the Nigerian dedicated the victory to the Brazilians, offended by the North American in a fight that took place in 2017.
“It's for you, Brazil!” said Kamaru, remembering that the North American referred to Brazilians as 'filthy animals' in the UFC Sao PauloIn 2017.
With the result, Usman expands his record to 16 wins, with just one defeat and defends the welterweight title for the first time. On the other hand, Covington suffers his second defeat as a professional and 17 fights.
The fight
The athletes didn't wait to attack each other. The first to take the initiative was Colby, delivering a low kick to the champion. Usman soon responded with a powerful right hand, which touched the American's face hard. Kamaru kept throwing blows at his rival and tried to hurt his opponent with crosses and straight shots. Covington began to put his game into practice, landing many punches to the champion's body. The American found the distance and began to put great pressure on Usman. The champion seemed lost in the confrontation and was unable to reach his rival. After four minutes, the clash became electrifying, with both exchanging blows in the center of the octagon. In the final seconds, the challenger tried a flying knee, which stopped in the Nigerian's defense.
In the second stage, the champion soon launched a high kick, which went empty. The American smiled at his opponent's attack and began throwing his jabs and straight shots. Almost a minute into the stage, Colby lowered his guard and waited for his opponent to attack. The champion was still at a disadvantage in the stand-up fight. Close to three minutes, a direct shot from Covington rocked the Nigerian, who continued to walk upwards. With two minutes left in the round, Kamaru threw a low kick and the fight was stopped. Without much delay, the Nigerian returned to the fight and the athletes exchanged blows again. In the final minute, the champion grew in contention and began to attack more efficiently. The American's consistency with his strikes, however, continued to impress.
For the third round, the protagonists of the night continued to focus on standing up. With fewer attacks, the fighters continued to move in the center of the Octagon and enjoyed saving their gas. After two minutes, Colby risked a 'superman punch', but the attack was empty. At a controlled pace, the fighters no longer showed the same aggression as in the initial rounds. Kamaru started throwing hooks at the American's waistline, but the challenger didn't attack. With 32 seconds remaining until the end of the stage, the fight was interrupted after the champion caught a finger in the eye. After being evaluated by the doctor, the Nigerian returned to combat. In the final moments, the athletes threatened some attacks, but nothing significant.
Covington returned to the duel with a suspected fractured mandible. The combat returned very hectic. The athletes came out for a frank exchange in the center of the Octagon and got the crowd excited. After a cross from Colby, Kamaru dodged and returned it in kind. The North American began to protect the injured area and the champion began to undermine his rival's mouth area. In the final seconds, the fight was again stopped after Covington claimed he had been illegally struck in the eye. The referee reprimanded both athletes and ordered the fight to be restarted, but there were no more attacks.
With the chance of having a drawn fight in the last stage, the athletes should try their best to score points so as not to run the risk of defeat. Usman continued to try to hit his opponent's face, trying to hurt his rival as much as possible. The North American showed concern and put his hands over his mouth to protect it whenever he was attacked. With two minutes remaining, the fight remained even until a cross from the champion rocked the North American. The Nigerian took advantage of the good moment and attacked the North American, who smiled. Kamaru continued attacking and managed to take down his rival with a beautiful straight right. Colby tried to recover, but ended up suffering another knockdown. The champion then went all out and finished the deal.
UFC 245 results
MAIN CARD
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Kamaru Usman derrotou Colby covington by technical knockout at 4m10s of R5 – title fight
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Alexander Volkanovsky derrotou Max Holloway in the unanimous decision of the judges (48-47 48-47 50-45) – title fight
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Amanda nunes derrotou Germain de Randamie in the unanimous decision of the judges (49-44, 49-45, 49-46) – title fight
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Marlon moraes derrotou José Aldo in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Petr yan derrotou Urijah faber by knockout at 0m43s of R3
PRELIMINARY CARD
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Geoff neal derrotou Mike Perry by knockout at 1m30s of R1
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Irene aldana derrotou Ketlen Scallop by knockout at 4m51s of R1
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Omari Akhmedov derrotou Ian Heinisch in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight: Matt Brown defeated Ben Saunders by knockout at 4:55 of R2
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Chase Hooper defeated Daniel Teymur by knockout at 4:34 of R1
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Brandon Moreno defeated Kai-Kara France via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Jessica Eye derrotou Viviane Araujo in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Punahele Soriano defeated Oskar Piechota by knockout at 3m17s of R1
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