Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington spent years together as close friends while training under the same roof at American Top Team in Florida but now they’ll attempt to destroy each other in the main event at UFC 272.
Former WEC champion Mike Brown was front and center while serving as head coach to both fighters for several years but now he’ll do everything possible to ensure Masvidal is victorious after Covington split with the gym and the bond between teammates transformed into a bitter rivalry.
While Masvidal is his main concern, Brown acknowledges it’s not easy to face someone he coached previously, particularly after nearly five years of coaching Covington.
“It’s a strange fight but that’s no problem,” Brown told MMA Fighting. “I think [Colby] doesn’t care. He’s on his own path. I think it’s just business. Preparation, get ready and have Jorge ready and take care of business.”
In the lead up to the fight, a lot of nasty words have been exchanged with all sorts of allegations tossed back and forth about the relationship Masvidal and Covington once shared not to mention the contentious nature on how it all fell apart.
The threat of bodily injury has been there for a while. It’s mixed martial arts so it is a natural part of the sport. However, the welterweights have promised hospital visits and possibly even a visit to the morgue following the fight.
For all the animosity being spewed between two fighters who genuinely do not like each other, Brown promises none of that has bled over into Masvidal’s training.
In fact, it has never even been mentioned.
“I don’t address it,” Brown said. “It’s not a problem. This is nothing new for Jorge. If anybody can handle that type of thing, it’s him. He is the best at handling pressure. Very calm, very relaxed. It’s different.”
Brown has seen both sides of boxing, as a fighter, and as a coach. This experience is what Brown knows how to make or break an athlete.
” “There are some guys who are incredible fighters. Top level fighters. They can’t deal with the stress. The pressure.” Brown stated. “The pressure gets to them. They aren’t able to perform in the gym.
“Jorge can fight just as hard in a gym than he can in a fight, and .”
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Brown considers Masvidal the greatest fighter he has ever coached. This is a compliment that could be considered the most since it reflects the potential for success that Masvidal will have when he matches up with Covington Saturday night.
“Some people, pressure affects greatly and I think it’s a genetic thing but some [fighters], the stress doesn’t bother them at all,” Brown said. “[Jorge Masvidal] belongs to that group. He is as cool as they come under the heaviest pressure.
“For instance, this was a while back, it would be fight day and it’s chaotic, a lot of things going on, but nothing seems to bother this guy. He always seems calm, cool, collected no matter what. He is unaffected by any outside influences
The rivalry between Masvidal an Covington will intensify over the coming days, as they engage with media and then face off on Thursday at the UFC 272 press conference.
A second staredown will take place 24 hours later at the official weigh-ins, which means there will be plenty of time for Masvidal and Covington to hurl expletives at each other before finally getting to opportunity to actually throw punches in the octagon.
While all that may drown athletes in emotion, Brown doesn’t expect Masvidal anything but cold and calculated when it comes down to execution.
Covington may continue to jaw at one another during the fight, but Brown is certain that the strategy will be the same. The results will show it.
“He is able to remain calm and composed under pressure,” Brown stated about Masvidal. He is a man who was built to do it .”
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