UFC on FOX 22 results: Colby Covington smothers Bryan Barberena to take decision win

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Colby Covington’s ability to shut down any opponent’s game with his wrestling was on display as he worked his way to a unanimous-decision win over Bryan Barberena.

The welterweight bout was part of today’s UFC on FOX 22 preliminary card at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. It aired on FS1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of the FOX-televised main card.

Covington (11-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) was quick to show his gameplan, driving for takedowns from the opening bell. Barberena (12-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) didn’t make it easy on Covington, and he fended off takedowns and bounced back to his feet quickly when his base was taken away.

Covington scored with a takedown early in Round 2, but again Barberena was able to escape back to his feet. Covington held his own in the striking exchanges, however, and the combinations he was able to land allowed him to continue working inside to clinch range.

Barberena’s attacks trended toward headhunting as the fight wore on. By Round 3, that allowed Covington to score takedowns at a higher frequency. It also let Covington time one-two combinations, countering the predictable winging punches coming his way.

Covington scored with his 11th takedown of the fight in the final minute, firing strikes until the final bell.

While the crowd booed Covington at he end of the fight, the judges awarded him the win by scores of 30-27 across the board.

Covington is now riding a three-fight winning streak since suffering first-round submission loss to Warlley Alves at UFC 194.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on FOX 22 results include:

• Colby Covington def. Bryan Barberena via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Alex Morono def. James Moontasri via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Josh Emmett def. Scott Holtzman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Leslie Smith def. Irene Aldana via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Eddie Wineland def. Takeya Mizugaki via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:04
• Hector Sandoval def. Fredy Serrano via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• Sultan Aliev def. Bojan Velickovic via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 22, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

(MMAjunkie’s John Morgan and Steven Marrocco contributed to this report from on site in Sacramento.)