Usman has dealt with knee issues that have slowed his offensive wrestling, and Covington’s takedowns will likely be more difficult to fend off.
However, this version of Kamaru Usman was not quite in peak form. Covington is good at hiding takedown attempts and timing his takedown attempts when his opponent is off-balance, which helps him get inside without getting hit clean. Covington ranks second among active welterweights in top position time and ninth among all active UFC fighters. Because Covington records a lot of takedowns, he also records a lot of time in top position. Covington ranks second among active welterweights in control time, third in control time percentage and has generated the fifth most control time among all active fighters on the UFC roster.Ĭovington’s wrestling also fuels heavy takedown volume, averaging over four takedowns per 15 minutes and recording 67 total takedowns, the fourth most among all active UFC fighters. Covington is an excellent wrestler who was an All-American in college, and his wrestling combined with his gas tank allows him to generate a lot of control time. Covington has strong cardio and can work a relentless pace, which allows him to constantly attack his opponents by blending his wrestling with distance and clinch strikes. Colby Covington is best known for his trash talk, but some of his skills inside the octagon are elite.
