Owen Roddy believes that Colby Covington poses a more challenging puzzle for Leon Edwards than Kamaru Usman.
Covington (17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) will be challenging Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) for the welterweight title in the UFC 296 main event on Dec. 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Edwards has had consecutive victories over Kamaru Usman, while Covington has suffered two losses to former champion Usman. However, striking coach Roddy believes that Covington’s wrestling style could pose a problem for Edwards.
“It’s a tricky one, you know,” Roddy told The MacLife. “Two very intelligent fighters. I always said about Leon and Fabian that they always came with really good, really intelligent game plans.
“I do believe that Colby’s a trickier fight than Usman. I think his chain wrestling might be a bit of a problem for Leon. But like I said, if Leon can nullify the wrestling and keep it on the feet, he’s got the power to put Colby away.”
Covington bounced back from his second loss to Usman with a lopsided decision win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272. Despite seeing a path to victory for Covington, Roddy ultimately predicts that Edwards will retain his belt.
“Obviously, if Colby can keep mixing it up and make it a difficult fight, he could win via decision,” Roddy continued. “But, I’ll go with Leon.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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