Between tongue and fists, Covington tries to beat Lawler and prove that he deserves a title fight

C. Covington (left) and R. Lawler face off before UFC Newark. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube Karyn Bryant

In the first event of August, Ultimate is ready for UFC Newark, which takes place this Saturday (3), in the United States. With 12 fights confirmed, 24 athletes will take to the Octagon from 13pm and will try to provide the public with a spectacle worthy of the company. With few Brazilians, only Claudius Hannibal and Neto BJJ are scheduled for the card.

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The most anticipated fight this Saturday afternoon will be the meeting between the former champions of the welterweight category (up to 77kg.), Colby covington (interim) and Robbie Lawler (linear). In different situations within the organization, a victory can change the direction of athletes within the division.

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Colby is currently second in the rankings, behind only the former belt holder, Tyron woodley, dismissed by Kamaru Usman in March this year. Without fighting for over a year due to a series of injuries, the American is banking on the experience gained in his time away so he can surprise his current rival. According to Covington, who is an excellent wrestler, his stand-up skills have been worked on more, which could surprise Robbie in a possible stand-up.

The loud-mouthed North American had his last fight in the duel against Rafael dos Anjos, in June last year. After the episode, the fighter increased his range of provocations to the public and Brazilian athletes. Colby had defeated Demian Maia No. UFC Sao Paulo eight months before defeating Dos Anjos and caused controversy throughout the period he was on Brazilian soil.

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Lawler, in turn, is going through an unstable moment within the UFC. Coming off a controversial defeat against Ben Askren, in which the former champion was declared defeated by submission, but, however, claims not to have given up or lost, the fighter has two consecutive setbacks. In his last five fights, Robbie has won on only two occasions. However, the athlete who spent the entire last year without fighting, experienced his best moment in the UFC between 2014 and 2016, when he scored five consecutive victories and even managed to win the category belt by beating Johnny Hendrix by split decision, at UFC 181.

After this feat, Lawler still defended his title on two occasions, against Rory McDonald e Carlos Condit, until he lost his position as champion in his defeat to Woodley, at UFC 201. The bad phase meant that Robbie, today, ranked 11th in the division. However, a victory over Colby may not guarantee an immediate title shot, but it will certainly put him in a better position in the category.

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Lawler will also have to know how to deal with the constant controversies surrounding his opponent. Colby is known for provoking his opponents and trying to mislead them. Throughout the preparation for the battle, however, Robbie appeared calm and appeared not to have fallen for Covington's strategy.

Two Brazilians on the card

Brazil, this weekend, will be represented by two athletes. On the preliminary card, Claudius Hannibal will be responsible for wearing the Brazilian colors inside the Octagon. The athlete is scheduled to face North American Cole Williams, at welterweight, in the duel that marks the second fight of the event. The Brazilian's opponent even got off on the wrong foot by failing to make the weight cut the day before the duel. 30% of Cole's scholarship will go to Hannibal.

Cláudio will face the commitment of trying to maintain an unbeaten run that has lasted more than 10 years. The Mato Grosso native's only defeat happened in his MMA debut, in 2007. Since then, the athlete has only collected triumphs.

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Coming from victory over Jared gordon, Neto BJJ tries to increase his number of UFC achievements. So far, the Goiás native has already fought six times for the organization and won on five occasions. The fighter, this Saturday, will face the Afghan, Nasrat Haqparast, who also comes from a victory in Ultimate. Neto tries, with a good result, to finally join the elite in the lightweight category, which is currently one of the most competitive in the company. The athletes exchange forces in the fourth fight of the main card.

UFC Newark will start earlier than the usual time. The preliminary card is scheduled to start at 13 pm (Brasília time).