5 hard-hitting predictions for Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington at UFC 268

#4. Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping

Former UFC middleweight champ and commentator Michael Bisping is convinced that Kamaru Usman will overwhelm Colby Covington at UFC 268. The initial encounter may have been settled on the feet, but Bisping believes Usman will mix in some takedowns this time around.

With that in mind, Bisping theorized that the threat of the takedown will allow Usman to land the fight-ending blow. The British MMA star said:

"I’m picking Kamaru Usman, baby! By knockout! He’s going to take him [Colby Covington] down and going to pound him out on the ground. I think he’s going to knock him out. I think he’s going to catch him on the feet. I think his striking has massively since he’s been training with Trevor Wittman. And then as the fight progresses, I think one of those punches is going to put him down, and he’s going to follow him down there, and he’s gonna beat the hell out of him on the ground."

Official pick: Kamaru Usman via KO

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#3. UFC welterweight contender Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson

UFC welterweight contender Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson

Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson is impressed with Kamaru Usman’s newly-found finishing ability. There’s no doubt in Thompson’s mind that Usman is better-equipped to dominate Covington this time around. The No.5-ranked UFC welterweight said:

"We haven’t seen Colby Covington since his fight with Tyron Woodley and that’s been a while. But we have seen the improvement, the tremendous improvement in Kamaru Usman. We know he’s a phenomenal wrestler, he’s got a tremendous gas tank. But now he’s finishing guys. He just knocked out one of the best strikers in the welterweight division, Jorge Masvidal. And he’s putting people to sleep. He put Gilbert Burns to sleep with a jab. He’s improving everywhere, not just his wrestling but his striking as well. I think I got Kamaru Usman. Kamaru Usman is going to put it on Colby Covington, put it on him. His striking is better than the last time they fought. He’s a very big welterweight, he’s a very strong welterweight and I think it’s gonna go the same way it did last time [but] in a shorter time."

Official pick: Kamaru Usman via TKO