UFC 245 free fight: Colby Covington outpaces Rafael dos Anjos for interim title victory

At UFC 245 on Saturday night, Colby Covington will have his first crack at an undisputed UFC championship when he takes on bitter rival Kamaru Usman.

But if Covington (15-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) wins, it won’t be the first time he’s had UFC gold wrapped around his waist. At UFC 225 in June 2018, Covington took on former lightweight king Rafael dos Anjos for the interim welterweight title.

The two 170-pounders needed all five rounds to declare a winner. When the dust settled at the end of the evening, it was Covington who earned the unanimous decision nod (49-46, 48-47, 48-47).

In the following months, the UFC would force Covington to vacate his interim title. However, that didn’t stop “Chaos” from calling out the titleholder relentlessly.

The anticipation and trash talk for Usman vs. Covington has been building for the better part of a year, with attacks getting personal.

American Top Team’s Covington is riding a lengthy win streak, having won seven straight outings. A dominant victory over Robbie Lawler in August propelled Covington into his upcoming showdown with Usman.

UFC 245 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

Relive Colby Covington’s interim title victory over Rafael Dos Anjos by watching the video above, and check out the Usman-Covington media face-off in the video below.