Teddy Atlas thinks an event outside the cage may hamper Colby Covington.
Renowned boxing trainer Teddy Atlas believes mixed martial arts fans and analysts are missing one key factor that could play into UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards’ hands at this weekend’s pay-per-view.
UFC 296, set for Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night, will be headlined by Edwards’ second title defense. Following two straight victories over Kamaru Usman to first win and then retain the belt, “Rocky” will face another strong wrestling test in the form of Colby Covington.
Given how he was able to neutralize the grappling threat of “The Nigerian Nightmare” this past March at UFC 286 in London, many of the champ’s backers have suggested that his takedown defense will hold strong come fight night on December 16.
And should that be the case, the Brit’s striking prowess is being touted by plenty as significantly above that of Colby Covington’s skills on the feet. But more than just a perceived gulf in standup ability, one prominent combat spots figure has pointed to something else that could fall in Edwards’ favor.
Teddy Atlas: Will We See The ‘Same Colby Covington’ From Before Jorge Masvidal’s Attack?
Colby Covington hasn’t entered the cage since March 2022, when he outpointed rival Jorge Masvidal across five rounds at UFC 272. Weeks later, “Chaos” was the victim of an attack from “Gamebred” outside the Papi Steak Restaurant in Miami.
While pursuing legal action against his former teammate, Colby Covington alleged that the incident had left him with brain damage.
Although the case was finally wrapped up last month when Masvidal pled no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge, boxing trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas thinks the long-lasting effects of the attack could be visible in the Octagon at UFC 296.
“At the end of the day, both guys like to strike. Covington makes more mistakes than Edwards does because he takes more risks than Edwards does,” Atlas said. “I think that’s where Edwards has the edge. He’s gonna have to be able to get through he storm early and be able to do something to slow down Covington a little bit; punch at the right distance.
“There’s an X-factor… The one thing that I don’t know if anyone will touch on or think about is that Covington’s been gone from the ring for a year and nine months… Something happened during that (time),” Atlas continued. “Masvidal, in the street, went up without Covington seeing him and hit him with a sneak punch that really hurt Covington to the point that it was reported he had a brain injury. That’s serious, that’s significant. He has not been in the ring since that. Is it gonna be the same Covington? … We don’t know, and that concerns me. Will he have the same chin? … At the end of the day, I’m gonna go with Edwards. I know what he’s gonna be.”
Colby Covington has frequently put his lengthy layoff since last March down to constant opponent rejections, accusing Khamzat Chimaev and Dustin Poirier of turning down fights.
He’ll look to return with a bang this weekend by winning the big one at the third time of trying. But should Atlas’ assessment of the potential pre-existing damage carried by “Chaos” prove true, Edwards will no doubt fancy his chances of sending the outspoken American to sleep.