Colby Covington and Rafael dos Anjos squared off for the promotions interim welterweight title in the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC 225 event in Chicago.
Colby Covington entered tonight’s championship bout on a five-fight win streak, his latest being a lopsided decision win over Demian Maia.
Meanwhile, former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos has won three fights in a row since moving up to welterweight. “RDA” was most recently seen in action this past December in Winnipeg where he beat down former champ Robbie Lawler for five straight rounds.
Round one of tonight’s UFC 225 co-main event begins and Covington rushes forward with punches. He shoots in and scores an early takedown. Rafael fights his way back to his feet but Colby is all over him. He slams RDA to the floor. But Rafael pops right back up. Covington with an uppercut while he has dos Anjos pressed against the cage. He lands a left hand. RDA breaks free and fires off a low kick. Colby presses forward and pushes him against the fence. He works in some knees and punches before RDA breaks free. Colby continues to press forward. RDA’s ear appears to have exploded. It is bleeding everywhere. Covington gets a hold of RDA and presses him against the cage he lands a right hand and Rafael breaks free. RDA is trying to get some momentum but Colby is just all over him. Finally RDA lands a big kick to the body. Colby shoots in and tries to secure a single leg takedown. It is not there. The fighters get back to standing and Colby instantly shoots in for a takedown. RDA defends and the horn sounds to end round one.
WHAT A START!@RdosAnjosMMA flies into the fourth round. #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/JIFMJJwX3j
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
Round two begins and Colby comes forward with a kick to the body followed by a flurry of punches. He shoots in and takes dos Anjos down. RDA quickly gets back to his feet but remains pressed against the cage. He finally breaks free and lands a hard low kick. Colby returns fire with a kick and then shoots in for a takedown. Rafael defends and then circles off the fence. He needs to land something here. Both fighters trade strikes. RDA with a right hand over the top. Both men fire off punches. Colby gets clipped with a left. He appears to be ok. Another good left from Rafael. Colby comes back with one of his own and then shoots in for a takedown. The fighters clinch and Colby gets in a left hand. He shoots in for a takedown and gets it. He takes the back of dos Anjos. RDA scrambles and gets back up but Colby is still on him. RDA breaks free and the horn sounds to end round two.
THIS PACE! #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/2DtJqyHYV5
— UFC (@ufc) June 10, 2018
Round three begins and Colby come sforward quickly het is greeted with jab. Both fighters land low kicks and then Colby shoots in and presses the Brazilian against the cage. RDA breaks free and we are back to standing. Both men fire off combinations. Colby ducks under a punch and then shoots in and presses RDAS against the cage. Colby with a low kick. RDA responds with one of his own. Colby shoots in and presses Rafael against the cage. RDA circles off the fence but then Colby catches him with a kick to the groin. The action stops and then we restart after a brief break. Both men come forward with punches. Colby continues to be the aggressor. He pushes the Brazilian against the cage and works in some punches and knees. RDA breaks free the horn sounds to end round three.
Round four begins and RDA leaps in with a left hand. That appeared to stun Colby. RDA leaps in with another left. Colby tries to clinch but Rafael won’t let him. Colby shoots in for a takedown but this time RDA says no. Now RDA shoots in and secures a takedown of his own. Colby scrambles but RDA remains on top. Another scramble and Colby is back up. Rafael drags “Chaos” right back down to the floor. Colby immediately gets back up to his feet but remains pressed against the cage. RDA with some hard knees to the thigh now. He drags Colby back down to the floor. Covington gets back up and is finally able to break free. He lands a left hand. RDA fires back with a right hand. Colby shoots in and the fighters clinch against the cage. They separate and Colby comes forward with a flurry. He presses RDA back against the cage. The former lightweight champion tries to break free but gets taken down for his efforts. The horn sounds to end round four.
Round five begins and Covington immediately moves forward with punches. He grabs a hold of dos Anjos and pushes him against the fence. The fighters battle for position and then RDA tries to break free. He can’t, Covington continues to press the action. He lands a few short punches and then drops down for a takedown attempt. RDA is defending well but he needs to do something if he is going to win this fight. Colby continues to abuse Dos Anjos against the fence. He lands a knee and then shoulder strike. Finally RDA breaks free but just under two minutes remain. RDA with a right hand. He lands another and then shoots in on Colby. Covington reverses the position. The fighters battle in the clinch. Covington scores a single leg takedown. RDA attempts a kimura and then gets back to his feet. The fighters swing wildly. Both men are landing big shots. Covington shoots in and presses RDA against the cage. Rafael breaks free and the horn sounds to end round three.