Kamaru Usman isn’t certain which model of Colby Covington will present up at UFC on ESPN 63.
Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) returns from a one-year layoff towards streaking welterweight Joaquin Buckley (20-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) in Saturday’s essential occasion (ESPN2, ESPN+) at Amalie Enviornment.
Covington hasn’t competed since his title loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in December 2023. With Buckley’s explosive begins and Covington’s layoff, Usman worries in regards to the changes his former foe could make early.
“Buckley is hungry, he’s aggressive, he’s going to come back after Covington early,” Usman stated on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast. “I fear in regards to the inactivity of Covington as a result of I stated that earlier than in his final combat, I stated him going right into a title combat with Leon Edwards, however such a protracted layoff, it’s going to take time to get into the combat to the place he begins get going once more. That’s the difficulty that I see right here. He’s additionally had one other lengthy layoff since that combat.
“So, I believe it’s going to be a bit robust for him to get going. Buckley’s not the type of man that you just’re simply going to face there and take a few pictures after which finally get going later. He has to have the ability to come up with Buckley, get Buckley into wrestling and grappling and up towards the cage to essentially begin to construct up these lactic acids. Then you may actually begin to see if he will get to the later Rounds of three, 4 and 5. Then you may actually doubtlessly see Colby get up.”
Regardless, Usman sees Buckley as the appropriate opponent for Covington to gauge his standing as a prime contender at 170 kilos.
“I prefer it, I believe it’s an excellent combat for Covington to come back again on,” Usman stated. “If he’s nonetheless there at that degree and if he nonetheless needs to proceed to be on the prime of the division, I believe that this can be a good combat for him.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ESPN 63.
Remember to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.