Kenny Florian is rejecting the notion that Colby Covington ‘didn’t show up’ at UFC 296.
The thrilling welterweight title bout between Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA) and Colby Covington (17-4 MMA) took place last Saturday, December 16th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The outcome was a unanimous decision victory for the 32-year-old Edwards.
Many fans are under the impression that Covington’s performance was subpar at best. The 35-year-old fighter had not stepped into the Octagon for over a year and a half before challenging for gold against ‘Rocky‘.
It was during a recent episode of the ‘Anik & Florian’ podcast that former UFC fighter Kenny Florian (14-6 MMA) discussed last Saturday’s fight, stating:
“So many people don’t really know what they’re watching. It’s no offence, it’s just I’ve spent the majority of my life studying fighting and things like that and when I hear someone go ‘Colby Covington didn’t show up’, I’m sorry but I immediately go you clearly know nothing about fighting. You don’t know about the sport because absolutely Jon, I’d say 90% of that or more had to do with Leon Edwards’ ability to manage distance and keep Colby on the outside because of his phenomenal footwork and his ability to use those lead hands and those lead weapons and long-range weapons. And use those lead hands as tentacles to try to keep Colby on the outside, he was switching stances, Colby is not necessarily known for his footwork.”
Continuing Florian said (h/t MMANews):
“When you look at guys that he’s faced, whether it’s guys like Kamaru Usman, Masvidal, Rafael Dos Anjos, Woodley, Lawler, these are all great fighters but when you look at them, you don’t go wow man their footwork is outstanding. No, you don’t which is why Colby Covington is able to get to them. I can only wrestle you if I’m able to get at a certain range, if I don’t get at that range, there is no wrestling and so many times people are like ‘well, why didn’t Colby just go for it?’ Go for it where? Who does he touch if he’s trying to chase a ghost?”
Do you agree with Kenny Florian’s assessment of what unfolded last weekend?
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