Colby Covington vowed that his UFC Fight Night headliner against rival Tyron Woodley at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas wouldn't go the distance.
The former interim welterweight champion was a man of his word as he put on a dominant performance to win by TKO at 1:19 of the fifth round when Woodley suffered a rib injury. During his post-fight interview, Covington wasn't in the mood to discuss the fight. He addressed what he wanted next.
"Speaking of spineless cowards, 'Marty Fakenewsman (welterweight champion Kamaru Usman),' 'Street Judas (BMF titlist Jorge Masvidal),' we've got unfinished business," Covington shouted. "There's nowhere to run, and there's nowhere to hide. I'm coming for you. You're next!"
The opening round began with each other exchanging strikes and Woodley trying to walk Covington down. The complexion of the fight changed when Woodley attempted a right hand, and Covington ducked and scored a double leg takedown. For the remainder of the contest, Woodley reverted to what he had shown in his previous two fights in losses to Usman and Gilbert Burns by keeping his back against the cage and being reluctant to engage.
After each fighter attempted to gain an advantage early in the second, Woodley notched a takedown of his on Covington. The former champion was unable to keep his opponent down and the rest of the round saw Woodley continue to be gun shy. Covington bounced back and began to attack Woodley with body and head kicks. In the final minute, Woodley finally started to get going when he blasted Covington with a Superman punch and a leg kick.
At the beginning of the third round, Covington accidentally raked Woodley's eyes, and time was granted to the former welterweight champion. That got Woodley upset as he connected on a couple of hard right uppercuts. But the aggression worked against him as Woodley missed a right hand, and Covington again pressed Woodley against the cage. There wasn't much action in the clinch with both guys trying to get underhooks. In the final 30 seconds, they let loose with an exchanging of knees and punches.
Covington came right out to start the fourth round and blasted Woodley with a thudding left high kick. He pressed Woodley against the cage and took him back down to the mat again. Unlike the first round, Covington took advantage of the position and bloodied Woodley with a razor-sharp elbow to the corner of the right eye. Covington proceeded to batter Woodley for the remainder of the round with punches and elbows to the head and body. Covington outlanded Woodley 113-2 in total strikes in the stanza.
Even though he was up and could have coasted to a decision, Covington didn't let up to open the fifth and final round. He continued his relentless pressure and went right at Woodley with a body kick. Covington took Woodley down, but the latter got the former interim champion in a guillotine. As Woodley was trying to gain position, he tried to pop up and screamed in agony in what appeared to be a rib injury. Unable to continue, the fight was stopped.
It is unknown if Covington will choose to wait for the winner of Usman and Burns, which is expected to occur at UFC 256 on Dec. 12, or turn his attention to former teammate Jorge Masvidal.
In the co-main event, Donald Cerrone and Niko Price battled to a majority draw (29-27 Cerrone, 28-28, 28-28). Cerrone and Price slung the leather for 15 minutes in a back-and-forth battle. But the totality of the fight changed in the first round when Price accidentally eye poked Cerrone twice and ended up getting the point deducted, which made the bout a draw instead of a Price victory.
Here is what happened at UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley.
UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley fight card results
Main card
- Colby Covington def. Tyron Woodley via TKO at 1:19 of the fifth round
- Donald Cerrone and Niko Price go to a majority draw (29-27 Cerrone, 28-28, 28-28)
- Khamzat Chimaev def. Gerald Meerschaert by knockout at 0:17 of the first round
- Johnny Walker def. Ryan Spann via TKO at 2:43 of the first round
- Mackenzie Dern def. Randa Markos by submission (armbar) at 3:44 of the first round
- Kevin Holland def. Darren Stewart via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary card
- David Dvorak def. Jordan Espinosa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Damon Jackson def. Mirsad Bektic via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:21 of the third round
- Mayra Bueno Silva def. Mara Romero Borella by submission (armbar) at 2:29 of the first round
- Jessica-Rose Clark def. Sarah Alpar via TKO at 4:21 of the third-round TKO
- Darrick Minner def. T.J. Laramie by submission (guillotine choke) at 0:52 of the first round
- Randy Costa def. Journey Newson via knockout at 0:41 of the first round
- Andre Ewell def. Irwin Rivera by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Tyson Nam def. Jerome Rivera via TKO at 0:34 of the second round