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Nicolas Atkin

Asked if it was “poetic justice” that Colby Covington had to have his mouth wired shut, Kamaru Usman could only smile.
“Eh, you said it, right on the money,” the welterweight champion replied at the UFC 245 post-event press conference, after breaking Covington’s jaw en route to a fifth-round TKO win.
The build-up to Saturday night’s heated main event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas had been marred by Covington’s relentless trash talking, fuelled by his “MAGA” persona including red Donald Trump cap and all.
“At the end of the day, honestly, before I step into that cage I pray every time, not just for my safety but their safety as well,” Usman said. “It’s unfortunate he has to go and wire that jaw shut. He said a lot of things, and you have to back it up. He was humble … I’d like to think he’s humble. I wish him all the best.”


Good on Usman for taking the high road, but perhaps he wants to rethink that part about Covington being humble.
As soon as Usman’s hand was raised and the title belt was slapped around his waist, “Chaos” charged straight out of the Octagon to the back, barging into a couple of people on his way. He then launched a foul-mouthed Twitter rant at “fake ref” Marc Goddard for a “fake stoppage”.

Colby Covington literally sprinted out of the Octagon. #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/ZYh3WwsxHs
— José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) December 15, 2019

But those piling in on Covington – and there are a lot doing so, including Jorge Masvidal – are missing the point: did you really expect anything different?
Covington has admitted he “turned heel” and created an act, as inciting as it may be, to get people interested in him after fearing he would be cut by the UFC a few years ago.
The US president’s sons have become two of his biggest cheerleaders, as well as several other prominent figures within the echo chamber of conservative media personalities; he met Trump in the Oval Office and got a congratulatory phone call from him after his win against Robbie Lawler.

“You are the champ. The Nigerian crybaby is a scam. You were just a better fighter in every regard,” American conservative commentator Candace Owens wrote in reply to his Instagram moan that he was “robbed”.
“Only haters and losers are denying who the TRUE CHAMP is – Colby Covington!” tweeted Mike Cernovich.
To whine about the stoppage and being unfairly treated is all part of Covington’s calculated game plan. It continues to rile up – or “trigger”, as Donald Trump Jnr would put it – the liberal social media personalities who are so incensed by everything the president and his followers do or say.

“You literally got your jaw broke and got knocked down twice in the final round,” writer and civil rights activist Shaun King tweeted to Covington. “The ref stopped it because you were getting mauled. You then ran from the ring like a baby.”
Who knows, maybe Covington himself was truly humbled by the defeat. But what’s for sure is he will never show an inch of remorse for his actions and words.
Doing so might endanger his popularity in the MAGA-sphere and among the Trump fan base, which is diehard in its belief of never backing down; of counterpunching harder like the president and his political supporters do whenever they are criticised.

Covington calls himself “The People’s Champ” and draped himself in the Stars and Stripes as he made his way to the Octagon. But Usman argued he is “more American” than Covington.
“An immigrant who came here and worked my ass off to get to the top, that’s what it means to be an American, not just because you were born here,” he said. “None of these guys work harder than me.
“You don’t have to walk round like a punk and abuse countries and talk about religion. I walk with integrity, because I want everyone watching me to look and say that’s the example that we like. When the fans were chanting ‘USA’, you damn sure better believe that was because of me.”

However you feel about him, Covington showed tremendous heart to almost finish the fight competing for the final two rounds with a broken jaw.
He also stood “mano a mano” with Usman, engaging him in the middle of the Octagon for the whole fight instead of using his wrestling, something which earned the champion’s respect.
“He surprised me a bit, he was hitting me with shots,” Usman said. “He’s a tough guy, I always gave him credit.”

So did Dana White.
“Going into the fight I told everybody don’t let all the b******* and stupid talk overshadow the fact this kid is tough, talented,” the UFC president said.
“Covington hit him with some big shots, knees and elbows. To have a broken jaw in third round and almost finish the fight is pretty impressive. For as big as his mouth is, the guy can fight.”

But “The Nigerian Nightmare” probably won’t be sending Covington a Christmas card.
“It takes a lot to carry that whole act, that fake bravado, that negativity,” Usman said. “Imagine now what he’s gonna be going through. It takes a lot out of you physically and mentally.”
“It’s good to move past all of that … there was a lot emotionally, a lot that he said,” Usman added. “When you push hate and separation, love and unity does win sometimes and tonight it won.”


UFC 251: Jorge Masvidal passes Covid-19 test to make Kamaru Usman replacement fight official

UFC: Colby Covington says former teammate Dustin Poirier is ‘fake’ and will ‘never get’ Khabib and McGregor rematches

UFC: Mike Perry’s redemption story through the eyes of unlikely friend and Blackburn Rovers footballer Jay Haddow

UFC: Colby Covington says American Top Team exit is ‘a blessing in disguise’ as he confirms split

UFC 245

UFC 245: Colby Covington gets ‘poetic justice’ as Kamaru Usman wires his MAGA mouth shut

Kamaru Usman punches Colby Covington in the mouth at UFC 245. Photo: AP

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 14: Colby Covington (L) battles with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in their title fight during UFC 245 at T-Mobile Arena on December 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Usman retained his title with a fifth-round TKO. Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Dec 14, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kamaru Usman (red gloves) reacts after defeating Colby Covington (not pictured) during UFC 245 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 14: Colby Covington (L) falls back from a punch by UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the fifth round of their welterweight title fight during UFC 245 at T-Mobile Arena on December 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Usman retained his title with a fifth-round TKO. Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Dec 14, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; (Editor's Note: Graphic Content) Kamaru Usman (red gloves) reacts as referee Marc Goddard stops his bout against Colby Covington (blue gloves) during UFC 245 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Colby Covington poses with Donald Trump Jnr.

Dec 14, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kamaru Usman (right) and Colby Covington (left) are separated by referee Marc Goddard during UFC 245 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 245: Jorge Masvidal, Ben Askren agree on Colby Covington – ‘make no excuses’

Colby Covington is knocked to the mat by Kamaru Usman at UFC 245. Photo: AP

UFC 245: Jorge Masvidal mocks Colby Covington – ‘you got what you deserved’

Colby Covington gets hit with a punch from UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Photo: AFP

Kamaru Usman knocks Colby Covington to the mat in a mixed martial arts welterweight championship bout at UFC 245, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

UFC 245: Amanda Nunes tells Claressa Shields ‘come see me in MMA’ after boxing call-out

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes smiles after her unanimous decision win over Germaine de Randamie at UFC 245. Photo: AFP

UFC 245: Kamaru Usman TKOs Colby Covington in final minute of dramatic slugfest

Kamaru Usman walks off as referee Marc Goddard stops his bout against Colby Covington at UFC 245. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

Kamaru Usman hits Colby Covington in a mixed martial arts welterweight championship bout at UFC 245, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Dec 14, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kamaru Usman (red gloves) fights Colby Covington (blue gloves) during UFC 245 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 245: Colby Covington blasts ‘fake ref, fake stoppage’ after Kamaru Usman defeat

Colby Covington leans against the fence after losing to Kamaru Usman at UFC 245. Photos: AP

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


Covington gets a broken jaw as Trump supporter’s trash talk comes back to bite him
‘I’m more American than him’ says Nigeria-born immigrant Usman – ‘I walk with integrity’



‘I’m more American than him,’ says Nigeria-born immigrant Kamaru Usman after breaking Trump supporter Colby Covington’s jaw in win – ‘I walk with integrity’.


Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Colby Covington

Dana White

Jorge Masvidal

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

The Takedown

The Takedown | UFC 245: Colby Covington gets ‘poetic justice’ as Kamaru Usman wires his MAGA mouth shut

Covington gets a broken jaw as Trump supporter’s trash talk comes back to bite him ‘I’m more American than him’ says Nigeria-born immigrant Usman – ‘I walk with integrity’

Covington gets a broken jaw as Trump supporter’s trash talk comes back to bite him

‘I’m more American than him’ says Nigeria-born immigrant Usman – ‘I walk with integrity’