Donald Cerrone throws a punch at Niko Price at UFC Vegas 11 in September 2020.
Matchmaker Monday following UFC Vegas 11
UFC Vegas 11 added another tally in the win column for the UFC’s most outspoken star Colby Covington. In the main event, Covington outworked former champion Tyron Woodley for over four rounds before Woodley was injured and quit in the final round.
The event also saw UFC veteran Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Niko Price fight to a majority draw.
After the fight night, Covington called for a rematch with Kamaru Usman or another bad blood rivalry with Jorge Masvidal. Also UFC president Dana White hinted that it might be time for Woodley and Cerrone to hang it up.
Let’s find out what’s next for these fighters on this Matchmaker Monday.
Colby Covington
Result: defeated Tyron Woodley at UFC Vegas 11
Next: winner of Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns
New gym. No problem. Covington looked as good as ever in his first fight since joining MMA Masters.
Covington dominated Woodley and now a title fight is next. I mean how can it not be?
Covington is the clear number one contender and a rematch with Usman would do big numbers for the UFC as long as Usman gets by Gilbert Burns.
A Masvidal fight would also be a blockbuster fight, but I just don’t see how you can deny Covington another title shot. Who else would you give the title shot to? Leon Edwards? He hasn’t fought in so long I think he needs another win.
Tyron Woodley
Result: lost to Colby Covington at UFC Vegas 11
Next: retirement
Woodley accomplished everything there is to accomplish in the sport. He won a world title and successfully defeated his belt on a number of occasions.
After watching his last three outings against Usman, Burns and Covington I think it’s safe to say Woodley can no longer compete with the top tier of the division after losing every single round against all of those opponents.
If Woodley wants to keep competing that’s fine, but I don’t see how he makes a run at another UFC championship. Retirement might be his best option.
Niko Price
Result: fought to a majority draw against Donald Cerrone at UFC Vegas 11
Next: Matt Brown
Price is a fun fighter and a fight against veteran Matt Brown would be a fun one. Both guys would be willing to throw down and have a slug fest.
Really anyone outside the top 15 is a good matchup for Price as he’s right on the boarder of having a number next to his name.
I know Price and Cerrone want to do it over again, but I think there’s other plans for Cowboy.
Donald Cerrone
Result: fought to a majority draw against Niko Price
Next: rematch with Robbie Lawler
Cerrone hasn’t picked up a win in his last five fights. Dana White wants to have a talk with him about retirement and I agree with White that Cerrone should retire. But will he? No. Cowboy is a warrior and loves going in there and competing. Whether it’s a good idea is whole different conversation.
You know who is in that exact same boat as Cerrone? Robbie Lawler.
Now not that I’m comparing the UFC to the WWE by any means, but I would view a Cowboy and Lawler rematch as a retirement match where the loser would retire.
Personally though I don’t want to see either Cowboy or Lawler fight again. Both haven’t given so much to the sport and I don’t want to see either one of them get hurt. It’s best that Lawler, Cerrone and Woodley all sit down with their families and take a serious look at their career’s.
