The Octagon touches down in Newark, New Jersey this Saturday when former interim welterweight champion Colby “Chaos” Covington takes on former welterweight champion, “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler.

Colby Covington (14-1) is riding a six-fight win streak, with his most recent being a win for the interim title. Covington, currently ranked No. 2, was later stripped due to medical problems. 

Covington is known for speaking out to get his way. After his win in 2017 against former title challenger Demain Maia in Brazil, Covington got on the microphone and called Brazil a “dump” and referred to all Brazilians as “filthy animals” to make sure he was being heard for a title shot against then-champion and former training partner Tyron Woodley. 

And heard he was. 

While Woodley was dealing with injuries, Covington was set to fight former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 for the interim welterweight belt. Covington showed he can back up his talking as he secured the unanimous decision win over the former champion. Unfortunately for Covington, he has yet to receive that title shot, but with a win over someone as tough and durable as Lawler, don’t be surprised if Covington fights for the belt before the year is over. 

Robbie Lawler (28-13-1) is regarded as one of the best welterweights ever for his exciting and action-packed style. Lawler, currently ranked No. 11, is the only fighter to have three consecutive fight-of-the-year fights. 

The first took place at UFC 171 against Johny Hendricks where Lawler lost by a close decision. The second took place in 2015 at UFC 189 against Rory MacDonald where Lawler won by TKO MacDonald in the fifth round to defend his welterweight title. The last fight was in 2016 at UFC 195 where Lawler edged out a close split decision win to make his second title defense. 

Lawler lost the belt later that year at UFC 201 by knockout in the first round to Woodley. 

Lawler has been around for a long time. He’s fought for EliteXC and was their middleweight champion, Strikeforce where he fought at middleweight and has fought for other various promotions. Lawler is making the most of his second run in the UFC, where he’s having action-packed fights and winning titles. 

It seems for Lawler, who recently turned 37, this is his last run for a title shot. And fighting the No. 2 guy in the division is a great place to start that run. 

UFC Newark is shaping up to be a great card, and I’m choosing Covington to secure his spot as the No. 1 contender for the belt. Catch all of the fights this Saturday as the fights have a special start time at 11 a.m. on ESPN!