Chael Sonnen believes Colby Covington could be fighting for UFC gold when he returns to the Octagon.
Covington hasn’t fought since UFC 272 when he defeated Jorge Masvidal by decision to return to the win column. Since then, however, he has been on the sidelines after Masvidal allegedly attacked him at a steakhouse in Miami.
A Title Opportunity for Colby Covington?
Although there has been little word on what is next for Covington, Dana White recently revealed he will be returning soon. With Leon Edwards becoming the new welterweight champion, Sonnen thinks Covington could get a title shot when he returns.
“I’m not avocating for [Colby Covington to get a title shot], but I believe it is very possible. I believe Kamaru Usman is the obvious answer, but there’s things you or I don’t know,” Sonnen said on The MMA Hour.
“Like, for example, we don’t know how long the commission will suspend him, we don’t know if there’s an injury… Colby Covington is the clearest number one contender the sport has but he can’t fight for the title… I think you’re going to have to sweeten the pot to get him in there, and I don’t believe there’s a lot of players left on the board. We’re told Gilbert Burns is going to be busy with Masvidal, Belal Muhammad is busy with Sean Brady… I just think there’s an opportunity right now.”
Even though Sonnen thinks Covington could get a title shot, that would likely depend on Edwards defeating Usman in the trilogy match. Usman has already beaten Covington twice and a third fight seems unlikely. On the other hand, Edwards and Covington have yet to fight, so that would be a fresh matchup and a big fight for the promotion.
Covington is currently 17-3 and coming off the win over Masvidal but is just 2-2 in his last four as he also beat Tyron Woodley while losing to Usman twice. He’s also the former interim welterweight champion and has notable wins over Robbie Lawler, Rafael dos Anjos, and Demian Maia among others.
