Daniel Cormier discusses how Colby Covington’s polarizing ‘gimmick’ has ultimately backfired, leading to a disappointing record of 2-4 in his last six fights, especially following Joaquin Buckley’s fierce defeat at UFC Tampa.
As a former double champion, Cormier is not only recognized as one of the greatest fighters in octagon history but also as a remarkably insightful commentator on mixed martial arts. His analysis of Covington’s decline is considered among his most impressive work.
In a 15-minute video shared on his official YouTube channel, Cormier elaborates on how a gimmick that once brought Covington success has now turned against him. He points out, “Sometimes the gimmick is very transparent, but sometimes it’s a little more hidden in regards to whether it’s real or if you think somebody is giving you a character.”
Cormier accurately reflects on Covington’s journey, noting, “Covington was always a good fighter, always tough, but nobody really cared.” He highlights that Covington had a much more humble demeanor prior to adopting the brash persona around 2017.
“It is all fun and games until you start to lose. Your gimmick can be as grand as anything you want in the world, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to win, right?” Cormier emphasizes this truth, reminding fans of the importance of performance in the sport.
Alluding to Covington’s outspoken behavior, Cormier states, “All that time that Colby was vocal – when he was talking about Brazilians – it was because he had beaten them decisively for 25 minutes.” Despite his controversies, Covington remained at the pinnacle of the welterweight division for a long time, which raises questions about the audience’s complicity.
Cormier reflects on the times Covington disrespected opponents like Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman, observing, “When he disrespected Leon Edwards’ father, everybody turned the other cheek because it’s Colby. As time went on, people started to see through the gimmick.”
Recently, Covington faced a harsh defeat from Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa, with notable figures like Belal Muhammad, Kamaru Usman, and Jon Jones voicing their criticisms. Jones, in particular, critiqued Covington’s performance, labeling it “amusing” to watch the defeat unfold.
The backlash from this defeat presents a turning point for Covington, who is now faced with a crucial decision: double down on his controversial persona or pivot to mitigate some of the public’s reaction. Cormier acknowledges the entertainment value of Covington’s approach, noting, “While it was cringe at times, he ultimately made himself valuable and earned a lot of money doing it.”
Interestingly, Covington claims that his infamous ‘Filthy Animals’ speech was a turning point in his career, as the UFC had been contemplating releasing him due to his perceived lack of excitement as a fighter.
“I’m not here to criticize Colby Covington, I want your guys’ opinion on what happens now for someone who has dominated the sport for so long,” Cormier states. He questions whether Covington still has what it takes and how he will navigate the backlash he faces from opponents he has insulted in the past.
Covington has responded fiercely to Jones’ comments, but the reality is that while Jones holds the heavyweight championship title, Covington struggles with a 2-4 record in his recent fights. Cormier comments on this disparity, highlighting that despite Covington’s jabs at high-ranking opponents like Usman and Edwards, those fighters are still thriving as Covington’s own time in the spotlight wanes.
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