Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington traded blistering shot after blistering shot throughout their welterweight title fight at UFC 245 on Saturday night, and neither did much blinking. It was anyone's fight, really, entering Round 5 in Las Vegas.
But that's where Usman, the defending champion, delivered. He sent Covington to the deck for the first knockdown of the fight, then put him down again and finished him with ground and pound. It was a spectacular ending to a surefire fight of the year candidate, one that Covington said he was fighting with a broken jaw after Round 3.
Not surprisingly, many in the MMA and sports and entertainment world took to social media to give their thoughts on the fight. While some took pleasure in the demise of Covington, MMA's resident "heel," many lauded both competitors.
What an epic fight. Respect to both men. Congrats @USMAN84kg! #andstill #UFC245
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) December 15, 2019
Thank you my brother @USMAN84kg for making America great again 🙏🙏. #UFC245
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) December 15, 2019
Terrible stoppage!! #UFC245 That sucks! Colby was going to lose that 5th RD bad, and lose the fight, BUT that stoppage was not right. He was still "intelligently defending" himself, as per the rule book.
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 15, 2019
I'm next champion 2020
— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) December 15, 2019
Usman put him away. Omg! Amazing fight by both fighters. What a killer, in the 5th round. Incredible! #UFC245
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) December 15, 2019
Fffffff yeah @USMAN84kg @henrihooft @CoachGJones #HooftKickboxing #UFC245
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 15, 2019
Kudos to Usman and to Covington who lost but fought for 3 rounds with a broken jaw. I personally would be able to endure 2 at most. #UFC245
— Cousin Sal (@TheCousinSal) December 15, 2019
Wow @USMAN84kg just put on a show!! Bet that one felt good!
— Chas Skelly (@ChasSkelly) December 15, 2019
Aight I'll give colby credit for ...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING lol #andstill
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 15, 2019
Congratulations to the champion @USMAN84kg for the win, you're the champion for a reason. Tough, hard fought fight by both. Colby is super tough and showed it again. @ufc #UFC245
— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) December 15, 2019
What a performance by @USMAN84kg !! Stayed composed and stuck to the game plan! Congrats my friend! @ColbyCovMMA is one tough dude!!!! Great night of fights #ufc245
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) December 15, 2019
Yes, fire all the judges. #UFC245
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) December 15, 2019
I think the result was inevitable but the stoppage was a bit early on a title fight. Fairly quick stoppage IMO though I think the result would have been the same
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) December 15, 2019
Imagine being a Fake MAGA guy because you think you'll make money & it will help your career.
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) December 15, 2019
Sold Your Soul #ColbyCovington #UFC245
You'll never be invited to the White House #MagaJaw pic.twitter.com/JNc2auSyP0