Covington Makes History In Win Over Lawler

It is known that Colby Covington is not a well-liked guy. It is also known that Robbie Lawler is a respected legend in the business. When both fighters stepped inside the octagon for UFC on ESPN in Newark, NJ, there were high expectations. The expectations for Lawler were shattered when Covington dominated the former Welterweight Champion in five rounds.

Inside the Prudential Center, Covington (15-1) defeated Lawler (28-14, 1NC) via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-45, 50-45). In front of the children of the President of the United States, Covington stayed true to his word.

“Don’t matter if it’s the Trump train or the Colby train, get out the way!”

He now has a chance to face Kamaru Usman inside Madison Square Garden on November 2 for the Welterweight Title.

📢 @ColbyCovMMA wastes no time calling out the champ @USMAN84kg #UFCNewark pic.twitter.com/3TQvKVNU6A

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 3, 2019

The first round was all Covington at the start. Lawler tried going for a takedown but Covington was able to control the narrative on that aspect. Lawler managed to utilize elbows to attack Covington but the former interim champion didn’t budge. He attempted multiple rear-naked chokes against the cage. Towards the end of the round, Lawler was able to escape the hold, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Somehow @Ruthless_RL got out of there #UFCNewark pic.twitter.com/xMjWGyuf43

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 3, 2019

Round two saw more of the same by Covington. He hit a huge uppercut that barely stunned Lawler. Lawler showed no signs of aggression as Covington did all he could to stay on the ground. Round three had Covington pounce and grab at Lawler. This was the round where Lawler showed some signs of life, throwing uppercuts and jabs. Covington, however, struck through Robbie’s defense and wouldn’t hold back.

The championship rounds were all Covington again as he neutered all of Lawler’s offensive and defensive capabilities. It was almost as if Robbie was moving in slow motion. Lawler tried to show some life in the fifth but that wasn’t enough to stop the wrestler. In the end, Covington outstruck (245 shots on 564 attempts) the normally trigger happy Lawler, who only landed 81. Covington also took him down ten+ times.

Covington is now on a seven-fight win streak, while Lawler has lost two in a row.

UFC Newark also saw hometown hero Jim Miller submit UFC Hall of Famer Clay Guida in the co-main event. It only took 58 seconds for Miller to put on the guillotine and secure the win. Miller has now won two in a row.

Main Card (ESPN, 3 p.m. ET) 

Colby Covington def. Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-45, 50-45)

Jim Miller def. Clay Guida via gulliotine choke (00:58 into round one)

Nasrat Haqparast def. Joaquim Silva via KO (00:36 into round two)

Gerald Meerschaert def. Trevin Giles via guillotine choke (1:49 into round three)

Scott Holtzman def. Dong Hyun Ma via TKO (doctor stoppage) (round two)

Preliminary Card (ESPN, 12 p.m. ET)

Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Darko Stosic via unanimous decision (29-26, 28-27, 28-27)

Mickey Gall def. Salim Touahri via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Antonina Shevchenko def. Lucie Pudilova via rear naked choke (1:20 into round two)

Matt Schnell def. Jordan Espinosa via triangle choke (1:23 into round one)

Lauren Murphy def. Mara Romero Borella via TKO (1:46 into round three)

Claudio Silva def. Cole Williams via rear naked choke (2:35 into round one)

Miranda Granger def. Hannah Goldy via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)