Sonnen’s surprising confession about cornering Covington

Chel Sonnen revealed he considered stopping Colby Covington on his own before doctors intervened at UFC on ESPN 63.

Covington (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) suffered a right eyelid laceration early in Saturday’s main event at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., and ended up defeating Joaquin Buckley (MMA 21). Doctors had no choice but to cancel the match against the Japanese (6 wins, 6 losses). , 11-4 UFC) at the end of round 3.

Sonnen, who was in Covington’s corner, said he almost threw in the towel when he saw so much blood gushing out of Covington’s eyes.

“Colby was getting his leg beaten up in every way possible. I mean, it’s so open that he had to be seen by the doctor three times,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “Twice he stopped the action and let it continue. The third time he said, “I can’t go on anymore.”

“I was going to stop the fight. I had already grabbed the towel. When the doctor came a third time, I was looking at the blood and it wouldn’t stop. It was in the eye. That’s the only thing you’re really looking for.

“When we, as game fans, as tough guys, think the doctor should have stopped it, no matter how bad the cut is from our point of view, unless we see it, We’re talking about how it doesn’t matter.” It doesn’t matter whether it’s a small amount or a large amount, as long as it dazzles the other person. It is all the same if it is in his eye and out of sight. …This was bad, it got in my eye. I said, ‘Hand me that towel, I’m not going to do this anymore.’ ”

Covington opposed the cancellation, as did UFC CEO Dana White, who believed the fight would not have been canceled if it had taken place in Las Vegas.

For more information on this card, visit MMA Junkie’s UFC event hub on ESPN 63.