This is the live blog for Colby Covington vs. Dillon Danis, the co-main event for RAF 7 on Saturday night at Yuengling Center in Tampa, Fla.
A former UFC interim welterweight champion, Covington has not competed in MMA in over a year, but did return to his wrestling roots earlier this year, dominating Luke Rockhold in his RAF debut at RAF 5. A JUCO national champion, two-time Pac-10 champion, and one-time NCAA Div. 1 All-American, Covington has vastly more experience than Danis when it comes to wrestling, and figures to be heavily favored in this matchup.
A former world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Danis rose to prominence through his association with Conor McGregor and became one of combat sports’ biggest lightning rods, drawing fans and critics across multiple disciplines. This is Danis’ RAF debut.
Check out the live blog for Covington vs. Danis below.
Danis dives on a single early but Covington sprawls with easy, and then spins to the back, getting 2 points. Ref blows it dead and we restart, and Danis with a double! And he finishes it!!! WOW! 2 points for Danis, who steps over into back mount. Another restart, all tied up.
From a tie-up, Covington jumps on a single-leg, and forces a push out, 3-2 Covington.
Over-under to start here and Covington uses the underhook to force another push out, though Danis tries to spin it, but he fails. 4-2 Covington. On the restart, Danis shoots from space, Covington went for a big throw, and Danis finishes the takedown for 2 points. 4-4.
Covington is really taking chances in there, and dives on an ankle pick but doesn’t get the score before the period ends.
Covington hits a go behind off a Danis shot, and then turns a wrench for exposure points right out of the gate. 8-4 Covington. Restart and Danis shoots again, with Covington sprawling and moving to a go behind, gets another 2. Covington looking for style points, 10-4.
Danis again shoots on restart and Covington goes around again for 2 more points, then gut wrench to a back exposure for a Tech Fall.
That was a respectable effort from Danis.
Colby Covington def. Dillon Danis via Tech Fall (14-4), Period 2
Covington speaks to Chael Sonnen and immediately makes a promo for the beer he reps. He then dedicates the victory to Hulk Hogan, and speaks on what he means to wrestling. Then he thanks first responders and military, as is his custom.
Covington then calls for Chris Weidman, saying he wants to find out who the “real All-American” is. Not a bad call out.
