<
        >

          UFC 272: Charles Woodson, Henry Cejudo, others react to Colby Covington's win over Jorge Masvidal

          play
          Covington wins grudge match vs. Masvidal in main event of UFC 272 (0:58)

          Colby Covington overpowers Jorge Masvidal for the majority of their UFC 272 main event for the impressive win. (0:58)

          • William E. Ricks
          Mar 6, 2022, 01:21 AM ET

          Roommates turned rivals Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal finally got to take out their aggression in the main event of UFC 272. This fight wasn't necessarily for more than bragging rights, but Covington may have earned a third title opportunity against Kamaru Usman after this dominant performance.

          Before the two became enemies, Covington and Masvidal were close friends and trained together at American Top Team in Florida for nine years. Things turned sour in 2017 and their rivalry has become more vicious over time with each calling the other out at every opportunity. Those verbal jabs didn't stop this week at the expletive-filled news conference Thursday.

          Masvidal's previous fight in the T-Mobile Arena was quick and historic. His flying-knee knockout against Ben Askren in July 2019 took just five seconds, setting the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history.

          As a former All-American wrestler at Oregon State University, Covington knows how to get his opponents on the ground. His 61 career UFC takedowns entering the fight were tied for second-most in division history, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

          In the end, Covington beat his bitter enemy in Masvidal via decision. His wrestling and grappling ability wore Masvidal down throughout the fight.

          Social media had many reactions to UFC 272's main event, including Charles Woodson, Belal Muhammad and more.