Colby Covington transported to hospital with broken jaw after UFC 245 loss to Kamaru Usman

Colby Covington has been transported to hospital following his UFC 245 defeat to Kamaru Usman. The former interim welterweight champion challenged the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ for the undisputed title in the main event of the UFC’s final pay-per-view show of 2019.

Covington, who went into the contest as public enemy No.1, suffered a fifth-round TKO loss to Africa’s first UFC champion, whom he pushed to his absolute limits.

The fight was a truly thrilling one, with both men showcasing their expert striking instead of their renowned wrestling skills.

Covington fought the majority of the contest with a broken jaw, which Usman inflicted on him with a nasty straight right in the third round.And the injury prompted the UFC’s medical team to immediately send him to the hospital after an initial check-up.

UFC president Dana was impressed by the heart Covington showcased in his ill-fated pursuit of the undisputed 170lb title and gave him his dues in the post-fight press conference.

He said: “To have a broken jaw in almost the second or third round and almost finish the fight is pretty impressive.

“So for as big as his mouth is and all the stuff that he talks, the guy can fight. He’s talented and he’s tough.

“He came in here with a game plan tonight.

“Not just fight but how he handled the fight and all those kind of things. And Usman shut it down.”

Covington reflected on his second Octagon defeat from the hospital, where he launched an expletive-laden tirade at referee Marc Goddard for stopping the fight and accused Usman of feigning injury.

“Normally people do their f*****g in the bedroom, not the octagon @marcgoddard_uk!” Covington tweeted. “I go in there to kill or be killed. You robbed me of that.

“You robbed the people of a fair fight. You should be ashamed of yourself. Fake nut shot. Fake eye poke. Fake stoppage. Fake ref. #ufc245.”

Covington further vented his frustrations in a lengthy Instagram post, which read: “Just a kid from Oregon chasing the American Dream.

“Working hard and earning everything in my life the hard way since day one. I put myself out there in front of the world to kill or be killed. Marc Goddard robbed me tonight with p**s-poor officiating. He let my opponent fake injuries for extra time and stopped the fight early.

“Just like America, my will and spirit can never be broken. Speed bumps can’t slow me down. You people ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Covington’s shortcomings against Usman thrilled his American Top Team team-mate Jorge Masvidal, who tweeted: “They say never kick a man when he is down but you not a man.

“Should’ve paid my coach, it’s cheaper than getting your jaw wired shut #thecrucifixation.”