UFC president Dana White probably knows better than anyone that, in the wake of Colby Covington’s dominant decision win at UFC 272, we’re nearing the endgame of the welterweight division’s current landscape.
When asked at the post-fight press conference what’s next for Jorge and Colby – both of whom have fought, and lost, to Kamaru Usman twice – Dana was typically laconic in his response. He did, however praise Colby Covington, perhaps hinting at yet another title run.
Dana White On The Next Move for Masvidal, Covington
“I don’t know, that’s a good question. We knew tonight, whoever lost, ‘What would be next?’ and ‘Where would they go?’ And I don’t know, sitting right here, right now, I don’t know. On either one of them, even Colby, who won.
The thing is too is that after a while no matter how much you hate him, you’ve at least got to respect him. The guy keeps winning fights and he’s a tough dude.
I don’t know if I’ve had any bad words to say about him. I said he’s an a******. He’s an a******. Anybody disagree with that? He would probably even agree with that. No, I respect the kid.” White conceded that Colby is ranked #1 contender at 170 pounds, but is 0-2 against the champ.
“I don’t know, he’s in a very weird situation having lost to Usman twice. Usman’s lapping everybody. I don’t know, we’ve got to see what’s next and talk to Colby and see what he really wants to do. You fight Poirier and then what? He has to go in some type of direction whether he’s gonna go to ‘55 and fight at—I don’t know, we gotta talk.
Listen, if he stays at 170, he keeps winning, you’ve eventually got to give the kid a shot [at Usman] again.” Reading between the lines, it’s clear that Dana White understands that the Colby-Jorge-Usman triangle that has dominated the welterweight division for three years is coming to an end. Usman remains the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.
Jorge Masvidal is firmly in his late thirties, and although he is one of the sport’s biggest stars, it’s unlikely that we’ll see him contend for the title again. Colby Covington is clearly among the best welterweights in the world, but, as it stands, can’t stand up to Kamaru Usman.
It’s not the end of the Usman/Covington/Masvidal era at 170 pounds yet, but it’s coming. Leon Edwards still hopes to be the next to challenge for Kamaru’s crown, and a spate of welterweights – Khamzat Chimaev and Vicente Luque spring to mind – are waiting in the wings for this storyline to wind up.
What’s next is most likely the final chapter in Colby and Masvidal’s stories. A rematch is unlikely, but either one could feasibly string together one last title charge. What do you think Masvidal and Covington should do next? Let us know in the comments.
