UFC 272 preview: Covington, Masvidal, and the grudge match we all needed

The Brit Pack MMA Podcast

It takes something a little bit special to headline a UFC pay-per-view. Usually, that something special is a UFC championship bout. But sometimes, very rarely, there’s a fight that captures the imagination to such an extent that a belt isn’t even needed.

Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal is one of those fights.

The two former friends and American Top Team training partners have been an integral part of each other’s successes inside the octagon earlier in their respective careers. But the pair have drifted apart following issues within the team at Coconut Creek, Florida.

Both were banished from the gym but, while Covington went out and found a new home at MMA Masters, Masvidal eventually returned to the fold and resumed his position as one of the most senior fighting figures at the famed gym.

With the two very much separated, the bad blood started to simmer, as they took aim at each other in interviews and on social media over the last few years – all while the pair took separate roads to the top of the UFC’s 170-pound division.

But now, the pair are set to face off with a lot on the line. Each man had two separate cracks at Kamaru Usman’s undisputed UFC welterweight title, and each man fell short on both occasions as they failed to find a path to victory against the pound-for-pound No. 1.

It means that the two bitter rivals are battling not only for bragging rights, but for real championship relevance at the top of the welterweight division. Big fights will undoubtedly remain for the victor, but for the loser, things may start to look a little uncertain.

On this week’s show, we chat about that fight, as well as the fascinating situation surrounding the status of the co-main event (which has probably changed by the time you’re reading this!).

We also look ahead to the featherweight bout between undefeated grappler Bryce Mitchell and veteran striking ace Edson Barboza, and we also take a look back at Gegard Mousasi’s virtuoso performance at Bellator 275 in Dublin, and UFC Fight Night 202, where Islam Makhachev continued to build a case for a title shot at 155 pounds.

It’s a packed show, and we hope you enjoy it as part of your fight week festivities.

Enjoy the show, then enjoy the fights!

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