20 MMA ideas, together with why Colby Covington cannot be denied a title shot
It is Monday — time for one more version of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Present, which airs dwell beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Twitter and YouTube. After it ends, you possibly can hearken to the present through the ESPN podcast heart.
The UFC makes its Uruguay debut on Saturday, with a essential occasion that includes Valentina Shevchenko vs. Liz Carmouche 2. As we have mentioned earlier than, this can be a rematch of a struggle that occurred 9 years in the past and was gained by Carmouche in considerably controversial vogue. Additionally considerably controversial is the truth that Carmouche claims she was initially scheduled to struggle Shevchenko’s sister, Antonina, till the promoter pulled the ol’ switcheroo; nevertheless, Valentina says she has no recollection of this.
I guess most individuals who will probably be watching on Saturday didn’t watch the primary struggle dwell (together with me), however I am nonetheless intrigued by the story of Shevchenko, who is among the high three pound-for-pound feminine fighters on the market, trying to avenge her first professional MMA loss, and by Carmouche, who was one half of the primary feminine struggle in UFC historical past reverse Ronda Rousey, getting one other probability to a lastly win that belt six years later.
Along with that struggle, the surging Vicente Luque going up towards the always-fun Mike Perry is of curiosity.
However earlier than we get to all that, listed below are some ideas on the week that was in MMA:
Valentina Shevchenko will not be missing motivation on Saturday. Not solely will the dominant UFC girls’s flyweight champion put her title on the road towards Liz Carmouche in Montevideo, Uruguay, she’ll even have an opportunity at revenge. Earlier than they landed within the UFC, Carmouche defeated Shevchenko by TKO 9 years in the past.
UFC Struggle Night time: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche
• Saturday, Montevideo, Uruguay
• Prelims: ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET
• Primary card: ESPN+, eight p.m. ET
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1. In the event you’re capable of put apart how you’re feeling about him for a second, it is best to have the ability to give Colby Covington reward for a way he regarded towards Robbie Lawler on Saturday night time. Whereas watching the struggle, I believed it was his most spectacular efficiency thus far, however possibly that is simply because we’ve not seen him struggle in 14 months. Covington instructed me afterward that he suffered a deep lower over his left eye three weeks in the past, which restricted what he was capable of do in preparation for this struggle. I really heard about this lower a few weeks in the past from a supply and requested Covington about it. His response? “Yeah, all is nice on my finish. One thing occur to outdated man Lawler? He break a hip or one thing?” I suppose it was actual information, in spite of everything. Covington instructed me Saturday night time he really wanted 16 stitches however does not suppose the job was finished nicely, so he’ll be getting it checked out within the coming days. He mentioned he lined it with make-up earlier than the struggle so the fee would not discover it, and he did not inform the UFC beforehand, both.
Covington’s tempo, strain and cardio are second-to-none within the welterweight division, and it was on full show in Newark, New Jersey. I used to be curious how he would look towards Lawler, as a result of Lawler traditionally has finished nicely towards wrestlers, however Covington blended all of it up very nicely. Contemplate these stats: His 541 complete strike makes an attempt are probably the most in a single struggle in UFC historical past, per ESPN’s Stats & Data analysis. His 515 tried vital strikes, that are additionally probably the most in a single struggle, handed the 495 tried by Carlos Condit at UFC 195 — additionally towards Robbie Lawler. Covington additionally landed 10 of 18 takedowns, making him simply the third fighter together with Georges St-Pierre and Demetrious Johnson to have a number of UFC fights with 10-plus takedowns. That is an entire, dominant efficiency.
2. Though he did not rating a five-second end like Jorge Masvidal did final month, there needs to be no denying that Covington is subsequent in line for a title shot. Merely put, Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington has to occur, and it appears like Nov. 2 at Madison Sq. Backyard is the proper spot for it. It is going to be fascinating to see how the UFC decides to advertise that struggle. Covington may make it very political and uncomfortable, and quick. With the struggle scheduled to occur 367 days earlier than the 2020 presidential election, you possibly can guess Covington will faucet into that, too — particularly in New York. Uncharted territory for the UFC.
three. Talking of which, we noticed President Donald Trump’s sons Donald Jr. and Eric sitting cageside in Newark on Saturday afternoon. So, will the president himself present up if the struggle occurs at MSG? He tweeted at Covington earlier than the struggle, and referred to as him after the win — and you recognize the invitation will probably be prolonged. Keep tuned.
four. I can perceive why individuals have a tough time separating their emotions on Covington the person and Covington the fighter. He actually does not make it simple. He is extraordinarily polarizing on his tamest day. Nevertheless it’s necessary to notice that he desires the world to hate him. That is why he requested Kurt Angle if he may use his entrance tune, in spite of everything. He wished all 10,00zero followers on the Prudential Heart to chant, “You suck.” So when Covington says one thing that makes you suppose, “Man, he took that too far,” it is as a result of he wished to take it too far. I am not condoning any of his actions or his habits. Let’s make that very clear. I simply hope individuals acknowledge that that is all a aware effort on his half, and it is all working.
5. I believed Covington’s remark about Matt Hughes in his postfight interview was an excessive amount of. I did not suppose it wanted to be mentioned to garner any extra “warmth,” however then I noticed Hughes brush it off on Instagram, and I started to suppose the road was cleared with him beforehand. You simply by no means know what’s actual with Covington.
, we regularly like to speak about “heels” and “faces” in MMA as if these fighters had been professional wrestling stars, however I am going to argue we’ve got by no means seen a “heel” remotely near Covington on this recreation. I’ve by no means seen a fighter conjure up this sort of emotion from the followers, fellow fighters and pundits. There have been hated fighters earlier than, however do you ever see anybody defend Covington? That is an island nobody desires to be on as of late, which speaks to his nuclear warmth. And the professional wrestling comparability is apropos, in my view, as a result of it is all very calculated on his half. It is one factor to name Jon Jones a heel as a result of he will get into authorized hassle, however in actuality, that is not the actual definition of a heel. Covington is a real heel as a result of he’s dwelling a gimmick he concocted. I do know a few of you non-wrestling followers are about to puke proper about now, however belief me on this one. That is all professional wrestling 101.
About two years in the past, he appeared to appreciate that being “Colby Covington, the welterweight prospect” wasn’t sufficient. He wanted a hook, if you’ll. And that is it. The query is: Is it working? Are individuals tuning in to see him lose, or do they dislike him a lot they’re merely ignoring him? I believe the reply to that query will come solely in November. Saturday’s struggle was merely the reintroduction of Colby Covington. The actual title struggle would be the true indictment on whether or not his determination to dial his persona as much as 10 was a wise one from a enterprise standpoint, emotions be damned.
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6. I believed it was fascinating the UFC let Covington maintain his beforehand “stripped” interim belt within the cage. It is one factor to carry it at media occasions; it is one other to deliver it within the cage. Possibly I am only a stickler for that type of factor.
7. So the place does this depart Jorge Masvidal? The plain reply is Leon Edwards. I would like to additionally see that struggle find yourself on the MSG card. If not, do not be stunned if Nate Diaz enters the Masvidal sweepstakes, if he scores a giant win on Aug. 17.
eight. Yeah, Diaz is again Aug. 17, by the way in which. So are Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic. I really feel like this cannot be repeated sufficient. Twelve days.
9. Effectively, the Cris Cyborg-UFC relationship has mercifully come to an finish. The ending was ugly and unlucky, however I am unable to say I am too torn up about it. As I wrote final week, the connection by no means labored from the get-go. It was contentious from the beginning and compelled. The UFC by no means promoted Cyborg the precise method, in my view, and Cyborg by no means was the mannequin unbiased contractor. Fact be instructed, each are accountable right here.
All that mentioned, I believed it was fascinating Cyborg determined to deliver up the controversial feedback from Dana White and Joe Rogan final week on the present. She had re-signed with the corporate after these feedback had been made, so why deliver them up now? Now, I had no issues together with her points with the way in which she was misrepresented within the buildup to UFC 240 and the aftermath. I believed the way in which it was offered, that she did not need the rematch with Amanda Nunes, was disingenuous at finest. She wished the rematch. Everyone knows she wished a rematch. She simply did not need the contract connected to the rematch. That was by no means made clear, and there was no method the UFC was providing her a one-fight deal. That, too, was disingenuous. So, regardless of mentioning the outdated, distasteful feedback, I believed she was in a great spot round Tuesday.
However then Cyborg (or her workforce) determined to publish a video of her dialog with White after the struggle in Edmonton later within the week and, whereas doing so, made up part of the dialog to obviously make White look dangerous. What was the purpose of that? What an enormous misstep. Cyborg, who as soon as upon a time was considered as a villain due to her failed steroid check in 2011 and suspected use of PEDs previous to that failure, had lastly begun to curry favor with the general public due to her philanthropic efforts exterior the cage and the way in which she dealt with herself across the struggle recreation as of late. However you possibly can’t simply make up stuff like that. Not when the connection is as unstable as it’s. That was disappointing to see. Kudos to her for apologizing, although I do not consider the wrong subtitles had been her determination. Nonetheless, she promoted the video on her social media channels and needed to set the document straight. Only a actually unlucky technique to finish all of it. And now the connection seems to be over, so we can’t get to see the Nunes-Cyborg rematch. I am OK with that. I am uninterested in this feud. It wasn’t serving to anybody in the long term.
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Ariel Helwani wonders why Cris Cyborg would keep within the UFC if she is sad and expects her to attract heavy curiosity within the sport.
10. Now we marvel the place Cyborg will find yourself. Each promoter below the solar will doubtless need to signal her, however has her market worth taken successful as a result of they know the UFC will not be a participant in negotiations? Most certainly. Make no mistake, that was a shrewd enterprise transfer on the UFC’s half. It wished the general public to know it will not be extending a proposal. It does not normally do that, you recognize. That was a parting present on her method out. Or a method of driving down her market worth. Your name.
11. I would wish to see Cyborg signal with Bellator or PFL. I need to see Cyborg vs. Julia Budd 2 or Cyborg vs. Kayla Harrison. I believe these are the 2 most fascinating fights on the market for her, and I do know each promotions will come after her exhausting.
12. I’m wondering what this all means for the UFC’s girls’s featherweight division. I hope the UFC does not dissolve it but. The extra weight lessons, the higher, even when it appears extraordinarily shallow proper now.
13. As for Nunes, signal me up for Nunes vs. Germaine de Randamie 2. I do not see any higher choices.
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14. Do not look now, however that is the second week in a row when a flyweight impressed throughout a UFC card. Two weeks in the past it was Deiveson Figueiredo, and final week it was Matt Schnell. The 125ers are having fun with a pleasant second act, and I am all about it.
15. Again to Newark, the opposite fighters who I believed regarded good Saturday afternoon had been: Antonina Shevchenko, Mickey Gall, Scott Holtzman, Jim Miller and Nasrat Haqparast. Relating to Haqparast, at any time when the good Georges St-Pierre takes time to nook you, you are a reputation to regulate. He does not do that usually.
16. I am a bit stunned Gall referred to as out Diego Sanchez once more. No probability that struggle occurs six months after it simply occurred. Gall has a repute for being a grasp caller-outter (is phrase?), so possibly I am just a little exhausting on him right here. I get why he desires to run it again with Sanchez, I simply do not see it taking place, so it felt like a wasted callout.
17. I’ve thought this earlier than, however I believe Lawler has formally reached litmus check standing for good. I do not love the time period gatekeeper as a result of it appears like there is a destructive connotation connected to it, so I want to go together with litmus check. He is nonetheless powerful however not fairly a contender anymore. In the event you beat him or can dangle with him, you will discover out simply how good you’re. Sorta like a litmus check.
Eddie Alvarez rallied to defeat Eduard Folayang this previous Friday after struggling injury early in Spherical 1. AP Photograph/Bullit Marquez
18. I hope you watched Eddie Alvarez’s win on Friday morning towards Eduard Folayang. That was classic “Underground King.” Banged up, damage, on the brink … after which he by some means pulls it out. Superb. What a gutsy win by one of many all-time finest. Y’all should’ve forgot.
19. In the event you missed Cain Velasquez’s professional wrestling debut Saturday night time, do your self a favor and discover the footage. Velasquez was flying round in there like he was a younger Rey Mysterio Jr. Merely put, he was unbelievable. In the event you would have instructed me 5 or so years in the past that Velasquez would make his professional wrestling debut earlier than his good buddy Daniel Cormier, I might have by no means believed you, however right here we’re. Follow this, Cain. You are on to one thing right here.
20. One among my high targets once I joined ESPN about 14 months in the past was to do a Daniel Cormier profile for E:60. I am an enormous fan of the present and felt his story was tailored for it. Effectively, on Sunday, a E:60 profile, which we started engaged on again in October, turns into a actuality. I am unable to wait for everybody to see this. Particular because of Andy Tennant, Carolyn Hong, Dan Lindberg and Chris Tumminello for making this occur. It was an honor to work on this piece about some of the heartbreaking and galvanizing tales in sports activities. Hope you all take pleasure in it.
Monday’s Helwani Present lineup:
Matt Schnell earned a first-round submission win over Jordan Espinosa this previous Saturday. Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports activities
1 p.m. ET: Matt Schnell
He’ll talk about his spectacular win at UFC Newark and the state of the flyweight division.
1:20 p.m.: Colby Covington
Covington will recap his huge win over Robbie Lawler and talk about what’s subsequent for him.
1:40 p.m.: Chris Weidman
He’ll preview his gentle heavyweight debut towards Dominick Reyes.
2 p.m.: Tyron Woodley
The previous welterweight champion will react to Covington’s win and talk about what’s subsequent for him.
Derrick Lewis will attempt to cease a two-fight skid when he takes on Blagoy Ivanov at UFC 244 on Nov. 2. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Photos
2:20 p.m.: Derrick Lewis
The “Black Beast” will stay up for his UFC 244 struggle towards Blagoy Ivanov.
2:40 p.m. Motion Bronson
The hip-hop artist, chef, author and TV host will talk about his love of MMA.
three:00 p.m.: Ben Askren
Askren will talk about Covington’s win and what’s subsequent for him.
three:20 p.m.: Sarah Kaufman
The PFL girls’s light-weight contender will be a part of us in studio to preview the 155-pound playoffs.
four p.m.: Alexander Volkanovski
The featherweight contender will stay up for his eventual showdown with Max Holloway.