C. Covington wins the interim belt and will face lineal champion T. Woodley. Photo: Reproduction/Tiwitter UFCBrasil
Colby covington spoke, provoked and did! During combat promotion, Rafael dos Anjos he even went so far as to say that the North American was 'just lip service'. However, this Saturday (09), in the second most important fight of UFC 225, he showed an intense pace during the 25 minutes of competition to frustrate the Brazilian and win the duel with a unanimous decision from the judges (48-47, 49-46, 48-47).
With the result, 'Chaos' as he is known, won the interim welterweight belt (up to 77,1kg) and postponed Rafael's plans to become the first Brazilian athlete to win the UFC title in two different categories.
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In the end, Covington didn't miss the chance to provoke Rafael dos Anjos and the linear champion of the division Tyron woodley. He called the champion a 'coward' and again referred to the RDA as a 'filthy animal'.
“First, I want to say that this is a real belt, I will take it to the White House for Donald Trump. Second, Tyron woodley, you are a coward, it should be you here instead of this filthy animal. Tyron woodley, I'm coming for you! If you have something to say, come see me, you weakling! No one can stop my willpower. Tyron woodley You know that the last time we trained, I finished him off, in the second round he was already dead.”
The fight
the fight between Rafael dos Anjos e Colby covington It started tensely and the athletes didn't even touch gloves. The North American started with everything going for it at a blistering pace, trying for a takedown. However, the Brazilian managed to make good saves and connect hard-hitting blows. Meanwhile, Covington manages to land a lot of empty shots and waste energy. After the bell sounded, the American hit Dos Anjos in the face.
The second round was balanced and Colby found a way to 'stop' the Brazilian fighter's game. He pressed RDA against the bars and despite not getting the takedown, he scored points. Rafael was unable to repeat the counter strikes, while the North American connected some attacks in the clinch
Covington repeated the strategy in the third round. He pressed Rafael against the bars and stopped Dos Anjos' good movement. However, this time he managed to connect more blows at close range. On the other hand, RDA didn't have the same speed and didn't respond to attacks. In the middle of the partial, a kick 'in the lower parts' made Dos Anjos stop the fight and also take the opportunity to rest.
Rafael dos Anjos came back better in the fourth round. In the first few seconds, he landed a straight shot to the chin that made the North American feel it. The Brazilian still took down Colby on two occasions, but was unable to stabilize the positions. Covington, in this part, managed to fight the battle and only grew again in the final seconds, when he managed a takedown.
With the fight completely open, the fifth round would decide the interim welterweight champion. AND Colby covington showed better physical condition to impose his pace. He put RDA against the bars, blocked the Brazilian's movement and whenever Rafa left the position, he received three quick blows. In the final 30 seconds, the two went all or nothing in the frank exchange of blows. Covington, better conditioned, landed more blows and avoided the Brazilian's almost desperate attacks.
UFC 225 results
MAIN CARD
Average weight: Robert whittaker derrotou Yoel romero in the judges' split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
Welterweight Weight: Colby covington derrotou Rafael dos Anjos in the unanimous decision of the judges (48-47, 49-46, 48-47)
Feather weight: Holly holm won Megan anderson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26 and 30-26)
Heavyweight: Tai tuivasa derrotou Andrei Arlovski in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight: Mike Jackson defeated CM Punk via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Heavyweight: Curtis blaydes defeat alistair overeem by technical knockout at 2m56s of R3
Straw weight: Claudia Gadelha wins Carla esparza in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Featherweight: Mirsad Bektic defeated Ricardo Lamas via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Heavyweight: Chris de la Rocha defeats Rashad Coulter via TKO at 3:53 of R2
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith won Rashad evans by knockout at 53 sec. from R1
Flyweight: Sergio Pettis defeated Joseph Benavidez in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Lightweight: Charles of the Bronx finished Clay guida with a guillotine 2m18s seconds from R1
Feather weight: Dan Ige defeated Mike Santiago by knockout 50 seconds into R1
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