Hey everyone. welcome back to another edition of ODPH extra, the complementary blog to the ODPH sports podcast. This week was a really quiet on for sports, so we’re covering pro-wrestling on the show. Fear not though, there were some sports stories happening that deserve some coverage & recap. Let’s jump right in.
UFC: UFC Newark was this past weekend with a good night of fights on ESPN. Jim Miller continued his latest run with a 1st round submission of Clay Guida. In the main event, Colby Covington dominated Robbie Lawler for a UD, locking in a title shot against Kamaru Usman.
Parlay Point: Total domination. Covington threw 500+ strikes in this fight along with 10 takedowns. Lawler didn’t have any answer for Covington’s pace. Every time Lawler started putting something together, Covington took him to the ground with somewhat ease. Lawler hasn’t looked the same since the knockout loss against Tyron Woodley. Where he goes from here is anyone’s guess but personally, I’d like to see him fight Mike Perry.
As for Covington….antics aside, he is a real threat to anyone in the 170lb division. The pace he puts on opponents is one that no one has been able to figure out how to stop yet. Can Usman do it? Good question. For him to retain, Usman has to land shots early and often without worrying about a takedown. Easier said than done.
Since we’re talking about speaking, the “character” Covington is portraying is really rubbing people the wrong way imo. Colby’s “act” has been one of controvesary in many fans’ eyes (not addressing the politcal side of it here. Not needed and frankly don’t care). His post fight comments about Matt Hughes walked a very thin line of being acceptable. After that, the trash talk ramped up vs. Usman on the ESPN post show. It’s going to only get worse from here. One thing that people need to remember though: Until someone shuts him up, Colby will back his talk up, no matter how much of an act it’s being claimed to be. Usman and Covington are rumored to be fighting Nov. 2nd at MSG.
UFC: After her win at UFC 240, Dana White announced that the UFC is not re-signing Cris “Cyborg” Justino (21-2).
Parlay Point: Very surprising move from the UFC. The bad blood between Dana and Cyborg apparently couldn’t be worked thru. The UFC takes a big hit to their Women’s Featherweight division & Cyborg becomes a highly sought after free agent.
No bigger fight was on the table than Cyborg-Nunes 2. That rematch would have been HUGE for all parties involved. Now, who’s next for Nunes? At this moment, some could say Shevchenko stepping back up to 135 but imo, no sense to have round 3 between them. After that, Nunes has taken out every name thrown at her. Nunes might have the challenge Jon Jones has currently: good fighters to fight, but no marquee name to draw a huge buzz for a headline.
As for Cyborg, She might be the one who won overall. Ever since signing with the UFC, she held her ground about not dropping to 135 and fighting Rhonda Rousey. Rousey wouldn’t move up for 145 and never was there a mention of a catchweight at 140. With no mega fight there, Cyborg (more or less) forced a 145 women’s division where she reigned until Nunes took her out. With only 1 loss in the UFC, she brings her brand to a new promotion where she will be featured in the same way as Rousey was and Nunes currently is.
No more Dana White “bullying” as she worded it. No more stalling on a marquee fight (still not sure about the whole “wouldn’t rematch Nunes” talk). No more drama, just fighting. Cyborg got her fresh start, now anything after this is her legacy to carve.
NFL: Training Camps are in full swing and no short of (somewhat) headlines. LA Chargers RB Melvin Gordon and Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliot are holding out for new contracts respectively.
Parlay point: Nothing really shocking here. Players often do this in the early stages of camp. However, with the Le’veon Bell drama from last year, teams are paying more attention to these times. At this stage, there will be a lot of back and forth, but my feeling is both will be suited up for Week 1 respectively.
That’s all for this week. Stay tuned for the latest ODPH podcasts. Thanks for reading!