At the main event of UFC on ESPN 5, former interim champion Colby Covington defeated Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-45, 50-45) at the Prudential Center in a dominating fashion.
Covington dominated Lawler for the full five rounds. He managed to take Lawler down several times throughout the fight and by the latter half of the fight, he even dominated Lawler with his striking. He managed to land over 600 strikes on the 37-year old Lawler.
This win over Lawler sets up a fight with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman who Covington took no time in calling out. He took a dig at former champion Matt Hughes.
āHey, letās talk about the lesson we learned tonight,ā Covington said. āItās a strong lesson that Robbie should have learned from his good buddy Matt Hughes. You stay off the tracks when the train is coming through, junior. Donāt matter if itās the Trump train or the Colby train. Get out the way.ā (H/T – The Athletic)
After the fight, he also thanked the Trump family for making it to the fight.
“I was truly inspired when the first family came,” Covington said referring to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. “They’re keeping America great!”
Here is how Twitter reacted to Covington’s victory.
Fight hard tonight Colby. You are a real Champ! #MAGA https://t.co/dj3JlWQu7i
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 3, 2019
Thank you for the phone call and always supporting me Mr. President!Thank you to the first family @DonaldJTrumpJr @EricTrump & @kimguilfoyle for coming out front row and cheering me on! If people thought tonight was a landslide, wait until the 2020 election! God bless America! šŗšø
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) August 3, 2019
Colby Covington winning tonight sets up his fight against welterweight champ Kamaru Usman hopefully at UFC 244 in New York.
Jorge Masvidal vs. Leon Edwards on the same card makes a ton of sense. #UFCNewark
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) August 3, 2019
I'm really hoping ESPN has extra security on hand because right now Colby Covington will be standing next to Kamaru Usman at the broadcast desk for an interview.
No chance that could backfire. #UFCNewark
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) August 3, 2019
For 25 minutes I found myself liking Colby Covington. He was magnificent.
Then they gave him a microphone and he reminded me of my true feelings towards him
Weapon #UFCNewark
— Adam Catterall (@AdamCatterall) August 3, 2019
Hereās the heated exchange between Usman and Covington on ESPN
šŗpic.twitter.com/WzNGr5Sn68 #UFCNewark
— Niall McGrath (@niallmcgrath4) August 3, 2019
Make no mistake, Colby Covington is one hell of a fighter. His win over Robbie Lawler proved that, beyond any doubt. But his Matt Hughes reference in his post-fight interview was plan awful and way beyond any āheel personaā he has been cultivating over the last few years.
— Simon Head (@simonhead) August 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/DocMcCockiner/status/1157777380204789761?s=20
The most annoying thing about Colby Covington is how amazing of a fighter he is.
If you put biases to the side, he just made Robbie Lawler look like a .500 fighter on the regional circuit.
Letās be clear: Robbie Lawler was COMPLETELY HUMILIATED. Thatās the truth. #UFCNewark
— The MMA Dudeā¢ (@philthemmadude) August 3, 2019
@Ruthless_RL KO first round over Qweef. Who wanna bet a bag?
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) August 3, 2019
I usually impartial, but I find myself pulling for Robbie in a big way
— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) August 3, 2019
The cardio freak @ColbyCovMMA did too much cocaine in Miami and had surgery for a deviated septum šš
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) August 3, 2019
Robbie is throwing them hammers!
— Luis Antonio Pena (@violentbobross) August 3, 2019
Colby can run rounds like that ad nauseum. Robbie gotta make him respect something in 2 & 3 to get something goin.
— Rex Highwalker (@HighwalkerMMA) August 3, 2019
Has no one ever taught Colby how to do a rear naked choke?
— Funky Ben (@Benaskren) August 3, 2019
Pressure!!! #UFCNewark
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) August 3, 2019
Usman Vs Covington! Thatās what needs to be done! #UFCNewark
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) August 3, 2019
Why Lawler doesnāt wanna fight??? They are bff @ufc
— rafael natal (@rafaelsaponatal) August 3, 2019
Not a Covington fan like most ppl but gotta say this is a very impressive performance so far
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) August 3, 2019
Love him or hate him @ColbyCovMMA is a real problem. 500 strikes and 20 takedown attempts over 5 rounds is just insanity!!!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 3, 2019
Colby looks better each fight. Covington v Usman is gonna be good #UFCNewark
— Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) August 3, 2019
Wtf was Robbie doing , sharp head movement and defense but no offense
— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) August 3, 2019
One and only! Big congrats @ColbyCovMMA! š #UFCNewark
— Krzysztof Jotko (@JotkoMMA) August 3, 2019
The wrestling pressure gassed on @Ruthless_RL striking but @ColbyCovMMA punch like female dog. 600 swats from those pool noodles that kids play with
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) August 3, 2019
Congrats @ColbyCovMMA #KAG šš¼šŗšø
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) August 3, 2019
Robbie just let the whole world down š©
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 3, 2019
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