Colby Covington used his dominant wrestling to get the better of Rafael dos Anjos tonight at UFC 225 by unanimous decision and claim the interim welterweight title.
Round One:
Covington coming out aggressive early and quickly gets into the clinch and lands a takedown. Dos Anjos gradually works his way back up, but then he is taking down again.
Dos Anjos able to stand again and gets back to striking range. Nice pun hfom Dos Anjos. Covington back into the clinch against the cage.
Dos Anjos prizes himself free and lands a right hand as he does so. Kick for Covingon as he marches back into the clinch yet again.
Solid strike for RDA, but more clinch work from Covington, giving the former lightweight champion little room to operate.
Covington throwing punches and now RDA starting to work some hard leg kicks now, but against is stifled against the cage. Spinning backfist attempt from Covington misses. RDA with another kick. Covington back into the clinch again at the end of the round.
Round Two:
Head kick attempt from Covington is blocked. Covington with punches to get into the clinch and gets the takedown. RDA quickly upright. Covington on him though and trying to get him back down.
RDA stuck up against the cage again. He tries for a guillotine, but Covington quickly has his head out. They separate and RDA lands a body kick.
Covington works for a takedown against the cage, lands it but RDA stands immediately. Punch and a leg kick from Covington. Rda looking for strikes and lands a hard punch to the body.
Covington back to the clinch position that he’s had success with so far in the fight. RDA gets free. Leg kick for Covington and a light punch in return from Dos Anjos.
Nice right hook from Covington as a left hand lands cleanly from RDA and knocks him off-balance. Covington marches forward with punches and lands solid with an uppercut.
Nice left hand for Covington. RDA tries for the muay thai clinch, but Covington drives into a takedown and lands it next to the cage.
RDA on his knees and then stands with Covington clinching his back. Covington has some blood around his face now, but is still controlling the action as the round ends.
Round Three:
Covington with a leg kick and then a body kick to follow. Back into the clinch and still looking fresh. RDA backs away. He’s trying to swing for the fences, but not quite finding the mark. Covington clinches again. RDA drives off the cage with a knee, but is then pressed back into it again as Covington continues to dominate the wrestling battle.
Kicks from Covington. RDA lands a leg kick. Covington to the clinch again, lands a takedown, but RDA is immediately back up.
LEg kick for Covington. RDA gets caught with a groin strike and that forces a stoppage.
It’s not long before they get back to it. Both fighters now letting hands fly, but Covington is battling harder and fights his way into the clinch.
Left hook for Covington in the clinch. One-two for RDA. Covington again fights his way into the clinch. RDA gets out and they both exchange a leg kick apiece.
Covington keeps his hands busy to get straight into the clinch again. He’s trying to get RDA down again and working against the cage.
RDA gets out and then almost immediately finds himself pressed back into the cage again.
Round Four:
RDA charges into a left hand to start the fourth. He looks to be coming out with purpose here. His attempt to work the thai clinch doesn’t pay off. Covington clinches and for the blink of an eye has RDA down.
Now it’s RDA who suddenly drives Covington to the mat. BIg moment for him. Covington manages to stand. RDA again drives in and lands his second takedown. Good resurgence from RDA, but he’s left it late.
Covington slowly working his way to his feet against the cage and RDA drags him down again.
Covington able to stand and get back to striking range. He comes forward swinging. Nice right hand for RDA, but Covington continues forward and clinches.
RDA out and then drives in for the takedown. Covington more stable this time though and ends up controlling the clinch.
They get some space. Covington launches heavy lather to enabel him to close the distance and get back to the clinch. Another seperation and Covington ploughs forward and lands a final takedown to end the round.
Round Five:
Covington with a front kick and punch then into the clinch. Covington clinching RDA’s back and landing a couple of knees. Covington lands a couple of punches.
RDA tries for a flying knee. Covington gets a takedown. RDA back up. Covington lands a few body kick and then guess what? The clinch again.
Covington latched onto RDA. Seperation and RDA lands a body kick before Covington gets back into the clinch. RDA fending off the takedown and then moves away.
Body kick for Covington. RDA clips Covington with a punch. Covington drives for the takedown against the cage, but can’t land it. He gives up on that attempt, but stays clinched up.
RDA drops for a kimura and then works back to his feet.
FInal minute of the round and they start swinging for the fences in the center of the Octagon. Both fighters landing here, but not crumbling. Covington goes for the clinch.
They break apart and Covington lands a few punches in the final seconds of the round.
Decision:
Covington’s dominant wrestling and clinch work proved to be too much for Rafael dos Anjos to deal with and so ‘Chaos’ emerges with a unanimous decision victory (49-46, 48-47 x2) to win the interim welterweight title.
