UFC 272: Colby Covington could face Robert Whittaker this year following easy win over Jorge Masvidal
A push to have Robert Whittaker fight an outspoken American in an Aussie blockbuster is underway after a big result at UFC 272.
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A push to have Robert Whittaker headline an Australian blockbuster against Colby Covington is now officially underway after the outspoken American scored a comprehensive decision win at UFC 272.
News Corp can reveal Whittaker’s manager Titus Day will this week speak with UFC executives and plant the seed about a potential Down Under showdown with Covington – who completely dominated arch rival Jorge Masvidal in Las Vegas, Sunday.
Dubbed Chaos, 34-year-old Covington was outstanding in a performance where — while Masvidal did well enough to earn a Fight of the Night bonus — he walked forward, threw shots, disguised takedowns, landed takedowns, then continually alternated between choke attempts and elbows.
Despite being dropped by Masvidal himself in the fourth, Covington popped back to his feet for what would eventually be close to a shut out, with judges scoring it 50-44, 50-45 and 49-46.
The win was part of a huge Sin City card that also saw rising Australian lightweight Jamie Mullarkey stopped early in the second round of his undercard bout against American prospect Jalin Turner.
After an exciting opening round where both fighters landed heavy, the Central Coast slugger was dropped by a right hook in the second, with Turner then pouring on strikes to his grounded opponent before it was waved it by the referee.
While Covington didn’t get the same finish, the win was almost as comprehensive against his former house mate, best mate and training partner at renowned gym ATT.
Immediately afterwards, the self-described ‘King of Miami’ called out another fighter he used to train alongside at ATT, Dustin Poirier.
Whittaker, meanwhile, will face Italian middleweight contender Marvin Vettori next, with the likely date expected to be in July on the annual International Fight Week card.
Yet after that, and should both fighters win their respective next bouts, the Sydneysider is keen to throw down with Covington.
Apart from being “excited” by a Covington fight, Whittaker suggested earlier this week that the bout could be the best option for two elite fighters who currently share the same predicament.
Just as Whittaker has lost twice to UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya, yet still remains well ahead of every other contender in the division, so Covington has also now dropped two fights against UFC welterweight king Kamaru Usman – but remains easily best of the rest.
“So a fight with Colby Covington definitely excites me,” Whittaker said.
“Right now, we’re both in a similar pickle.
“We’re both still hanging around in our respective divisions, a lot higher than the rest of the field, waiting to get another title shot.
“So making some money in the meantime could be the best route for both of us.
“A fight with Colby would be a real crowd pleaser, a big money maker for the UFC, and it sells out every Australian venue.
“So it’s in the cards if he wants it.”
Whittaker’s manager Titus Day agreed a fight between Whittaker and Covington would be an easy Australian sell out, and plans to speak with UFC executives about exactly that.
“If Colby wants to come up and test himself at middleweight, Rob is definitely ready,” he said.
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