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Bloody Elbow Picks
Mookie Alexander: Covington really has the skills to beat Lawler 49-46 and then get on the microphone and unleash a speech that’ll have me reaching for the remote to turn off the TV. He’s undoubtedly tough and doesn’t usually have stupid strategy in the cage. If he imposes his wrestling and control early then Robbie really is in deep trouble. Otherwise, we saw how Lawler nearly KO’d Ben Askren in a half-minute, so he can turn aggression against his opponents just fine. In a range kickboxing battle it’s a no-contest, and while Covington has never showed signs of a bad chin, he’s not fought someone with Lawler’s power. Lawler by KO, Round 3.
Zane Simon: The reality here is that Covington’s relative youth, pace, and dogged wrestling probably get the job done. It’s not like Lawler hasn’t struggled with wrestlers before, if for no other reason than that he just really seems to resent the idea that someone would want to wrestle instead of fist fight. However, my heart just won’t let me pick against Robbie in this one. And, I’ve seen Covington struggle a lot more to control bigger, more physically gifted welterweights in the past (most notably Dong Hyun Kim). If Lawler gets the same few chances to back Covington up or sprawl him out, I think the damage he can do in those spaces is infinitely greater. His opportunities may be few, but I’m taking Lawler to make them count. Robbie Lawler via KO, Round 2.
Victor Rodriguez: When even Covington himself gives Robbie props for his defensive wrestling, you know he’s going to try his best to be careful here. He’s got amazing cardio, can smother opponents with volume and pressure en route to working takedowns and can really be a problem when he’s got someone against the fence. This is still Robert Violence Lawler he’s up against. Aside from dynamite striking, he’s handled himself well defending against stronger wrestlers like Johny Hendricks. Also, if Demian Maia can find that chin, so can Lawler. That’s where I’d put my money. Lawler via Shang Tsung Soul Stealing.
-BloodyElbow.com
Mookie Alexander: Covington really has the skills to beat Lawler 49-46 and then get on the microphone and unleash a speech that’ll have me reaching for the remote to turn off the TV. He’s undoubtedly tough and doesn’t usually have stupid strategy in the cage. If he imposes his wrestling and control early then Robbie really is in deep trouble. Otherwise, we saw how Lawler nearly KO’d Ben Askren in a half-minute, so he can turn aggression against his opponents just fine. In a range kickboxing battle it’s a no-contest, and while Covington has never showed signs of a bad chin, he’s not fought someone with Lawler’s power. Lawler by KO, Round 3.
Zane Simon: The reality here is that Covington’s relative youth, pace, and dogged wrestling probably get the job done. It’s not like Lawler hasn’t struggled with wrestlers before, if for no other reason than that he just really seems to resent the idea that someone would want to wrestle instead of fist fight. However, my heart just won’t let me pick against Robbie in this one. And, I’ve seen Covington struggle a lot more to control bigger, more physically gifted welterweights in the past (most notably Dong Hyun Kim). If Lawler gets the same few chances to back Covington up or sprawl him out, I think the damage he can do in those spaces is infinitely greater. His opportunities may be few, but I’m taking Lawler to make them count. Robbie Lawler via KO, Round 2.
Victor Rodriguez: When even Covington himself gives Robbie props for his defensive wrestling, you know he’s going to try his best to be careful here. He’s got amazing cardio, can smother opponents with volume and pressure en route to working takedowns and can really be a problem when he’s got someone against the fence. This is still Robert Violence Lawler he’s up against. Aside from dynamite striking, he’s handled himself well defending against stronger wrestlers like Johny Hendricks. Also, if Demian Maia can find that chin, so can Lawler. That’s where I’d put my money. Lawler via Shang Tsung Soul Stealing.
-BloodyElbow.com
