What’s subsequent for Colby Covington? An extended-awaited welterweight title combat

One hour after receiving a message of help on social media from the president of the USA, Colby Covington went out and dismantled Robbie Lawler for 25 minutes — proving, past any doubt, he’s subsequent in line to problem defending champion Kamaru Usman.

Covington set a UFC file for tried strikes (541) within the bout, and in addition transformed 10 of his 18 takedown makes an attempt.

Will that tempo be sufficient to beat Usman? It is powerful to say, however there is no such thing as a debating it ought to be the following matchup for the belt at 170 kilos. So what’s subsequent for Covington and a few of the key fighters who have been on Saturday’s UFC Battle Night time card? Right here is ESPN’s take.

Colby Covington, welterweight
End result: Defeated Robbie Lawler through unanimous determination
Subsequent: Kamaru Usman

Clear as day. Actually, Covington most likely ought to have acquired a shot earlier than Usman did, at UFC 235 earlier this yr. However Covington could not get on the identical web page because the UFC so far as making a welterweight title shot occur, whereas going over a yr with out combating, and his shot went to another person in consequence.

It would be just about inconceivable for that to occur to Covington once more. He isn’t solely the apparent alternative for Usman, he is the one alternative, actually. As spectacular as Jorge Masvidal has been in 2019, his successful streak stands at two. Covington has received seven straight, together with back-to-back wins over former champions in Lawler and Rafael Dos Anjos.

I’ve really wished to see this matchup for years. I referred to as for it earlier of their careers, as these two have been making their method via the ranks. Now, I am grateful that it by no means occurred. It is a improbable championship matchup, and there are many earlier interactions between these two to get the general public enthusiastic about it.

Colby Covington proved Saturday night time that he is worthy of the following shot at Kamaru Usman’s welterweight title. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photographs

Robbie Lawler, welterweight
End result: Misplaced to Colby Covington through unanimous determination
Subsequent: Stephen Thompson

One of many reactions I noticed most on social media Saturday was one thing to the impact of: Lawler did not attempt. He did not let his palms go. He by no means went for broke.

I’ve a pair ideas on that. It’s important to give Covington plenty of credit score for it. It is not simple to throw with unhealthy intentions whenever you’re below a relentless barrage of strikes, as Lawler was on this combat. He additionally needed to fear about getting taken down, and his again was in opposition to the fence for a lot of the combat. Covington’s tempo clearly wore on him.

And do not forget, Lawler is not actually generally known as a “excessive quantity” man. He tried 171 strikes Saturday, in accordance with UFC Stats. That quantity is just about proper according to his different five-round fights within the UFC, through which he tried 212, 177, 156, 201, 200 and (the one outlier) 331.

I do not suppose Saturday was proof of Lawler’s performances falling off a cliff. I believe he merely ran right into a well-conditioned, well-rounded, hungry opponent who beat him. Now, that stated, he is in want of a win. So is Thompson, who has talked about combating dos Anjos in November. I might desire to see him combat Lawler.

Jim Miller earned his third win in his final 4 fights with the quickest submission victory of his profession — in 58 seconds — on Saturday in opposition to Clay Guida. Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports activities

Jim Miller, light-weight
End result: Defeated Clay Guida through first-round submission
Subsequent: Lando Vannata

Welcome to the 20-win membership, Jim Miller. He joins a distinguished record with solely 4 different males who’ve performed it: Donald Cerrone (23), Demian Maia (21), Georges St-Pierre (20) and Michael Bisping (20).

It nearly feels as if Miller has fought your complete roster at this level. He says he needs to maintain it going, so how about Miller vs. ‘Groovy’ Vannata on Oct. 18 in Boston? Vannata has had an odd UFC profession. It began with a short-notice combat in opposition to Tony Ferguson in July 2016. Vannata misplaced, however he carried out nicely. He has since had two attracts, a few disappointing performances in opposition to fellow prospects, and at last a first-round submission win in his final bout in opposition to Marcos Mariano in February.

It is a enjoyable matchup between two guys with enjoyable types.

At 23, Nasrat Haqparast is on the point of a giant alternative at light-weight after his second-round TKO in opposition to Joaquim Silvia on Saturday night time. AP Photograph/Frank Franklin II

Nasrat Haqparast, light-weight
End result: Defeated Joaquim Silva through second-round KO
Subsequent: Alexander Hernandez

Is it too early to match up Haqparast with a top-15 expertise? I do not suppose so. A few of you most likely know, I have been championing Haqparast for some time now. I’m a giant believer on this 23-year-old’s potential, and he flashed it large time in that Saturday knockout.

Hernandez is up there within the rankings, however he is coming off a controversial win over Francisco Trinaldo in July that was removed from a crowd pleaser. Earlier than that, he suffered a humbling loss in January by the hands of Cerrone, on a high-profile UFC Battle Night time in Brooklyn. In different phrases, he is in a great place within the rankings, however he is not able to actually name his subsequent shot.

Haqparast is likely to be unranked, however he has some well-deserved buzz round him at this level, with three consecutive wins within the UFC. This one makes a ton of sense, from any angle.