Octagon Report: Colby Covington separates from American Top Team, UFC receives approval from NSAC, and Usman vs. Masvidal fight hits roadblock
UFC welterweight Colby Covington splits from long time gym American Top Team.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Covington confirmed that his split for his team originated from the trash talk between teammate Jorge Masdival and himself. He thanked long time coach and mentor Dan Lambert. Covington mentioned it was time to move on.
Covington revealed that American top team owner Dan Lambert implemented a rule of no trash talking in the gym. Covington joined American Top Team straight out of college in 2011. His split comes as a surprise as he has been with ATT for almost a decade.
Covington stated he was happy with the move and would start his own gym under the name Colby Covington Incorporated.
Complaints from American top team teammates Jorge Masvidal and Joanna may be the reason for the split.
Covington was also officially removed from the American Top Team website.
(Zuffa, LLC)
The UFC has received the green light to proceed with UFC on ESPN 9. The UFC received approval from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for UFC of ESPN 9 and UFC 250, both set to take place at the APEX center in Las Vegas. NSAC also approved new COVID-19 protocols to allow the regulation of the event without a live audience.
The UFC is now set for the fourth event in the past month and have tightened testing requirements after experiencing small hiccups in the testing for the events at Jacksonville, Florida a month ago.
A 25- page safety plan was developed and implemented for the events in Florida and the same plan will be utilized with a few modifications. Testing will be available prior to the event. The same social distancing requirement will be expected for the staff and athletes.
UFC on ESPN 9 will be headlined by Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns. UFC 250 will take place June 6th with Amanda Nunes defending her featherweight title against Felicia Spencer.
(Yahoo Sports)
The fight between Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman seems to have hit a roadblock. In a recent interview Masvidal stated that Kamaru Usman is asking for too much money and is “high balling” the UFC.
“Kamaru has asked for an insane amount of money,” Masvidal said. Jorge is now pivoting for a fight with Nate Diaz. “I don’t know,” Masvidal said. “To tell you the truth and be honest with you, I don’t think Nate has a problem with going at all. I think Nate is ready to go and he’s willing to go. Usman is asking for – you know people in the UFC. Go find out how much money he’s asking for. He’s asking for an absurd amount of money – an absurd amount of money.
He also called Nate out in a recent tweet, “Lets run it back #theresurrection #andstill.”
The welterweight title fight is still undecided. We wait patiently to see who will get the coveted title shot against the champion Usman.
