UFC on ESPN 5: Colby Covington shuts out Robbie Lawler

No. 2 welterweight Colby Covington (15-1-0) mixed fast-paced grappling and striking to impressively dominate former champion Robbie Lawler (28-14-0) in the main event of Newark’s UFC on ESPN 5 card.

With American president Donald Trump’s sons watching, Covington befuddled Lawler with unpredictable takedowns combined with almost 600 strikes that took the starch out of Lawler from the first round. The former champion was only able to land occasional shots, but was kept on the defensive for much of the bout. It was a performance the reminded many why Covington was the interim champion and why Lawler is currently on a three fight losing skid.

The judges scored it 50-44, 50-45, and 50-45.

In the post fight interview with Jon Anik, Covington called out current champion Kamaru Usman, who was also in attendance. Lawler, as usual, was gracious in defeat, acknowledging he had been outclassed, saying he “had to go back to the drawing board.”

💰 50k 💰

POTN: @Nasrat_MMA | @Danger_Caged #UFCNewark pic.twitter.com/mrUudpNEFY

— UFC (@ufc) August 3, 2019

Nasrat Haqparast and Matt Schnell earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.

Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.

In case you missed the prelims:

MIRANDA GRANGER DEF. HANNAH GRADY VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

CLAUDIO SILVA DEF. COLE WILLIAMS VIA SUBMISSION (REAR-NAKED CHOKE) R1 2:35

LAUREN MURPHY DEF. MARA ROMERO BORELLA VIA TKO (KNEE AND ELBOWS) R1 1:46

MATT SCHNELL DEF. JORDAN ESPINOSA VIA SUBMISSION (TRIANGLE CHOKE) R1 1:23

ANTONINA SHECHENKO DEF. LUCIE PUDILOVA VIA TECH SUBMISSION (REAR-NAKED CHOKE) R2 1:20

MICKEY GALL DEF. SALIM TOUAHRI VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

MAIN CARD

DARKO STOSIC VS. KENNEDY NZECHUKWU

WINNER: KENNEDY NZECHUKWU VIA UD (29-26, 28-27, 28-27)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: KENNEDY NZECHUKWU VIA TKO 

Andrews: Kennedy took some shots to the groin, but outworked Stosic all the same.

SCOTT HOLTZMAN VS. DONG HYUN MA 

These guys are swinging! #UFCNewark pic.twitter.com/WXrWm2YYZ4

— UFC (@ufc) August 3, 2019

WINNER: SCOTT HOLTZMAN VIA TKO (DOCTOR’S STOPPAGE) R2 5:00

ANDREWS PREDICTION: SCOTT HOLTZMAN VIA UD

Andrews: Great fight! Ma took some big shots but that left eye couldn’t hold. Good win for Holtzman.

GERALD MEERSCHAERT VS. TREVIN GILES

Meerschaert gets the tap!@The_Real_GM3 gets the sub, then helps his opponent recover 👏 #UFCNewark pic.twitter.com/1FT27J2hDu

— UFC (@ufc) August 3, 2019

WINNER: GERALD MEERSCHAERT VIA TECH SUBMISSION (GUILLOTINE CHOKE) R3 1:49

ANDREWS PREDICTION: TREVIN GILES VIA TKO

Andrews: Good fight by Giles, but Gerald’s experience shone through.

JOAQUIM SILVA VS. NASRAT HAQPASRAT

🎯@Nasrat_MMA #UFCNewark pic.twitter.com/tBr9UiY7nz

— UFC (@ufc) August 3, 2019

WINNER: NASRAT HAQPASRAT VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 0:26

ANDREWS PREDICTION: JOAQUIM SILVA VIA UD

Andrews: Wow! Beautiful left hook to take out Silva!

CLAY GUIDA VS. JIM MILLER

Resume for @JimMiller_155:

Tied for most finishes in UFC lightweight history – 12

T-3 for most wins in UFC history – 20

T-3 for most submissions in UFC history – 9 pic.twitter.com/BdYybUw5o9

— UFC (@ufc) August 3, 2019

WINNER: JIM MILLER VIA TECH SUBMISSION (GUILLOTINE CHOKE) R1 0:58

ANDREWS PREDICTION: CLAY GUIDA VIA UD

Andrews: Miller got the fight to the ground quick and took advantage. Great win.

MAIN EVENT

#2 COLBY COVINGTON VS. ROBBIE LAWLER 

Dominant. @ColbyCovMMA #UFCNewark pic.twitter.com/pXuoZ9ubtx

— UFC (@ufc) August 3, 2019

WINNER: COLBY COVINGTON VIA UD (50-44, 50-45, 50-45)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: COLBY COVINGTON VIA UD

Andrews: Covington did not let Lawler get comfortable and Lawler did not have the cardio to endure the beginning and land consistent strikes. Great win for Covington.

@kenaiandrews