UFC 272 will showcase a grudge match main event between former training partners. After losing their respective welterweight title shots against Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal now face each other. However, it’s not just pride on the line in this matchup, as the winner could be handed another opportunity to fight for the belt. Get the latest odds and pre-fight info for all main card bouts at UFC 272.
UFC 272: Covington vs. Masvidal
- Date: Saturday, March 5
- Place: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Broadcast: ESPN+ 8 p.m. (ET) Prelims & 10 p.m. (ET) Main Card
Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal Fight Odds
Covington comes into this matchup against his former training partner as a sizeable favorite when it comes to the odds. This might have something to do with his much better performance against the kryptonite at the 170lbs weight class – Usman. Unlike Masvidal, who was knocked out in the second round against the champion, Colby managed to go the distance before losing by decision.
Covington was once the champion himself but was stripped of the belt in September 2018 after suffering an injury. Since then, he has faced off with Usman twice and lost each time with the title on the line. Covington and Masvidal were once teammates in the American Top Team, but since Covington left to train with the MMA Masters, the pair have called each other out.
This fight will be fun to watch, with both fighters talking a lot of trash about each other in the build-up to the event. With Covington stating: “He knows what’s going to happen. I’m going to rearrange his face.”
While Covington has a slight reach disadvantage, he has shown some great form in his recent fights, even when losing to the seemingly unstoppable Usman. He is the younger of the two, and while he has less experience in the Octagon, he has also only suffered three losses compared to Masvidal’s 15.
While Masvidal suffered a brutal knockout in his last fight, which was for the title against Usman at UFC 261, his form in the run-up to that title shot was something most fighters can only dream of. He gained wins against Darren Till and Nate Diaz as well as famously knocking out Ben Askren with a knee in a record-breaking 5 seconds.
Masvidal comes into this bout with a 52% finishing rate which edges his opponent slightly, a 2-inch reach advantage, and a wealth of extra experience under his belt. He is the underdog, though, being the elder by four years and the more journey-like fighter of the pair, with 50 fights and 35 wins to his name.
| Colby Covington | vs | Jorge Masvidal |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Age | 35 |
| 19 | Fights | 41 |
| 16 | Wins | 29 |
| 3 | Losses | 12 |
| 2 | KO’s | 10 |
| 6 | Subs | 8 |
| 5′ 10 | Height (feet) | 5′ 10 |
| 72 | Reach (inches) | 71 |
| 170 | Weight (lbs) | 170 |
| Loss | Last Fight | Loss |
Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev Fight Odds
This matchup was initially supposed to happen at the UFC Vegas 48 event. But due to visa issues surrounding Rafael Fiziev, the fight was moved to this event. The pair will fight at 10:30 pm EST, at 155lbs.
Anjos has not fought in over a year and, as you might expect, is an underdog going into this fight considering that. Before being plagued with injuries and finally undergoing knee surgery in the latter half of 2021, Rafael dos Anjos had an eight-fight run at middleweight. He has now dropped down to welterweight, so it will be interesting to see how he fairs.
The Brazilian hasn’t had the most fantastic form in his last three fights, with his only win coming in from a split decision against Paul Felder back in 2020. Hopefully, after some time to recover after his recent surgery, we can see a return to form for the 37-year-old – if not, this could be his last UFC appearance.
Rafael Fiziev comes into this bout as a big favorite, and it’s no wonder. He is, after all, coming off the back of a 5-fight winning streak, making light work of his last opponent – Brad Riddell with an impressive wheel kick to the chin in the third round.
Fiziev has quickly become a UFC fan favorite for his explosive performances – it seems like anything can happen when watching him fight. During his 18 month stint in the UFC, he has earned four-fight performance bonuses.
Rafael Fiziev is nine years younger, much fresher, and injury-free than the former champion he is facing. He also has a slight reach advantage of one inch, and despite being far less experienced as a professional fighter, he has just one loss in twelve bouts.
| Rafael Dos Anjos | vs | Rafael Fiziev |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Age | 28 |
| 43 | Fights | 12 |
| 30 | Wins | 11 |
| 13 | Losses | 1 |
| 5 | KO’s | 7 |
| 10 | Subs | 1 |
| 5′ 8 | Height (feet) | 5′ 8 |
| 70 | Reach (inches) | 71.5 |
| 155 | Weight (lbs) | 155 |
| Win | Last Fight | Win |
Edson Barboza vs. Bryce Mitchell Fight Odds
This bout will take place at 9:00 pm EST at 145lbs. Although veteran Edson Barboza has impressed many after dropping to the featherweight class, he is the underdog against Bryce “Thug Nasty” Michell, who is undefeated in the UFC.
Barboza impressed at UFC 272 with a knockout win against Burgos. But he went on to lose his last UFC fight in August when he would suffer a knockout in the third round to Giga Chikadze.
The betting lines are fine between Edon, who is ranked 10th, and Mitchell, who is currently sitting in 11th place. Expect an intense matchup with Barboza with an impressive highlight reel. Keep in mind that he is still feeling out a new weight class and has a 5-inch reach advantage to back up his immense striking powers.
Bryce Mitchell is one of the most exciting fighters to enter the Octagon in years. He has improved his grappling abilities in a short time and even has one of just two submissions via a twister in UFC history.
We can expect to see Michell take things to the floor, where he feels comfortable with his 3.36 TD average over Barboza’s 0.40 TD/per 15-minute history. This matchup is a proper striker vs. grappler setup, and each will want to keep things within their comfort zone to secure a win.
The younger Bryce will have to compete with a significant reach disadvantage if he wants to continue to progress up the rankings for a title shot.
| Edson Barboza | vs | Bryce Mitchell |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Age | 27 |
| 32 | Fights | 15 |
| 22 | Wins | 14 |
| 10 | Losses | 1 |
| 12 | KO’s | 0 |
| 2 | Subs | 9 |
| 5′ 11 | Height (feet) | 5′ 10 |
| 75 | Reach (inches) | 70 |
| 155 | Weight (lbs) | 146 |
| Loss | Last Fight | Win |
Kevin Holland vs. Alex Oliveira Fight Odds
This 170lb matchup will take place at 5:30 pm EST. Kevin Holland made his welterweight debut, and Alex Oliveria is looking to come back from a three-fight losing streak.
Holland goes into this bout as a favorite with the bookmakers despite being on similarly poor form in his previous matchups, with his last win coming in December 2020 against Souza. His last fight against Kyle Daukaus ended as a no-contest when the pair accidentally clashed heads, rendering Holland unfairly unconscious.
Before losing to Marvin Vettori and Derek Brunson in 2021, Holland was riding an insane five-fight win streak. As he is a showman with immense striking power, he is one of the most entertaining fighters currently in the UFC.
Alex Oliveria will need to make something happen against Holland, or this could easily be the last time he enters the Octagon. With six of his previous eight fights ending in losses, Oliveria needs a win to stick around in the UFC.
Oliveria won’t just have to overcome his poor form; he will also have to overcome a five-inch reach deficit as the shorter fighter. Alex is a tough fighter that knows how to get wins, 22 of them, to be precise. He has a well-rounded game, and an upset against Holland is what he needs to convince the UFC to keep him around, so the pressure is on.
| Kevin Holland | vs | Alex Oliveira |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Age | 33 |
| 29 | Fights | 36 |
| 21 | Wins | 22 |
| 7 | Losses | 11 |
| 11 | KO’s | 12 |
| 6 | Subs | 5 |
| 6′ 3 | Height (feet) | 5′ 10 |
| 81 | Reach (inches) | 76.5 |
| 185 | Weight (lbs) | 178.20 |
| No Contest | Last Fight | Loss |
Serghei Spivac vs. Greg Hardy Fight Odds
This heavyweight matchup will begin the main card fights with Molodvia’s “Polar Bear” Spivac facing off with the American Greg “Prince of War” Hardy.
Serghei was on a three-fight win streak before suffering a first-round knockout from Tom Aspinall in September. Nevertheless, Spivac enters the bout as a sizable favorite despite this recent loss.
Greg Hardy is also coming off the back of a first-round defeat, so both fighters will have something to prove this time around. Tai Tuivasa clipped Hardy as he rushed in during their UFC 264 clash.
Hardy comes in the taller of the two, bringing with it a 2.5-inch reach advantage that he can look to leverage a win with. Hardy, however, is less experienced and six years older than his opponent.
We can expect this to be an electrifying start to the main card. Both fighters have showcased some serious knockout power, and Spivak has a well-rounded style that can look to defend all manner of attacks. Look for Hardy to want this win, as with two losses in a row, he will need to prove he still belongs in the UFC when facing Spivac.
| Serghei Spivac | vs | Greg Hardy |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Age | 33 |
| 16 | Fights | 12 |
| 13 | Wins | 7 |
| 3 | Losses | 4 |
| 5 | KO’s | 6 |
| 6 | Subs | 0 |
| 6′ 2 | Height (feet) | 6′ 5 |
| 78 | Reach (inches) | 80.5 |
| 265 | Weight (lbs) | 265 |
| Loss | Last Fight | Loss |
Preliminary Fights
- Jalin Turner vs. Jamie Mullarkey
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Yan Xionan
- Nicolae Negumereanu vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
- Maryna Moroz vs. Mariya Agapova
- Brian Kelleher vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
- Tim Elliott vs. Tagir Ulanbekov
- Jessica Eye vs. Manon Fiorot
- Ludovit Klein vs. Devonte Smith
- Dustin Jacoby vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
View the latest betting odds for all upcoming UFC fights.
Based in California, James William writes about golf, tennis, UFC and the (sometimes complicated) world of betting on sports. A big lover of live poker, James also takes care of casino reviews for Vegas-Odds.com.
