Colby Covington Back on the Wrestling Mats: from the Tsarukyan Clash to Gilbert Burns Talks
Q1: Was Colby Covington an Olympic-caliber wrestler?
A1: No. Covington competed primarily in American folkstyle collegiate wrestling. While he attained elite status as an NCAA Division I All-American at Oregon State, he did not pursue an extensive post-collegiate freestyle Olympic cycle on national teams.
Q2: How does Covington's wrestling compare to Khamzat Chimaev's style?
A2: Chimaev relies on explosive freestyle wrestling, rapid level changes, and immediate ground-and-pound or submission hunts. Covington favors sustained pace, grinding wrist control, and wearing down opponents through high-volume chain wrestling across extended rounds.
Q3: Did Colby Covington ever wrestle Kamaru Usman in college?
A3: No. Covington wrestled in Division I at Oregon State University at 174 pounds, while Usman competed in NCAA Division II for the University of Nebraska at Kearney, winning the 2010 national title at 174 pounds.