Colby Covington opens as sizable betting favorite over Jorge Masvidal in UFC 272 grudge match

Colby Covington is expected to beat Jorge Masvidal in their long-awaited grudge match at UFC 272, at least according to oddsmakers.

Covington (16-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) and Masvidal (35-15 MMA, 12-8 UFC) were once roommates and frequent training partners at American Top Team in South Florida. The relationship evaporated, however, when the pair turned on each other as they made parallel rises to the top of the UFC welterweight division.

Ultimately, Covington parted ways with ATT and joined MMA Masters in Miami, but the separation only caused things to get more personal between them, with some deep verbal attacks being traded in interviews and on social media.

It will all come to a head March 5 when Covington meets Masvidal in the UFC 272 main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The opening betting odds, according to Tipico Sportsbook, have Covington as a -330 favorite, meaning a $330 bet on “Chaos” would yield $100 in return. Masvidal, meanwhile, is a +260 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on “Gamebred” would bring $260 in return.

Colby Covington insists his title dreams aren’t dead despite a second loss to Kamaru Usman.

“I know I’m the best fighter in the world.”#UFC268 | Full video: https://t.co/4Me4PR0Kvg pic.twitter.com/OxSXOJdakQ

— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) November 7, 2021

Covington, No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie welterweight rankings, is coming off a title-fight loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC 268 in November. It was the second time he’d unsuccessfully challenged Usman for the belt, but the 33-year-old has given the champion his sternest test in both encounters.

Covington will attempt to start the case for a third title shot against No. 9 Masvidal, who is chasing the same thing. Masvidal is recently removed from back-to-back title-fight losses to Usman, which the latter coming by highlight-reel knockout at UFC 261 in April.

The 37-year-old was supposed to fight Leon Edwards at December’s UFC 269 event in what would’ve been another long-awaited grudge match, but he was forced to withdraw due to a rib injury.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).