Tag: Colby Covington

  • Belal Muhammad Mocks Colby Covington After Dominant UFC Tampa Loss: ‘He Just Sucks’

    Belal Muhammad Mocks Colby Covington After Dominant UFC Tampa Loss: ‘He Just Sucks’

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad was among those roasting the polarizing Colby Covington after his latest defeat.

    Saturday proved to be a difficult night for Covington, as the former interim titleholder returned to action for the first time since a third failed bid at securing the undisputed crown against Leon Edwards last December.

    In his push to reinsert himself into the championship equation, “Chaos” accepted a short-notice UFC Fight Night headliner opposite the charging Joaquin Buckley in Tampa, looking to hand “New Mansa” his first loss since dropping to the division.

    But the controversial veteran convincingly failed in that task, with Buckley putting a beating on him en route to a TKO via doctor’s stoppage in round three.

    While a cut caused the bout’s end, there was little doubt over who was having the better of things. That, unsurprisingly, brought out Covington’s sizable group of enemies and detractors.

    As expected, champ Muhammad was among those enjoying the result…

    “(laughing) man I knows he’s gonna have a bunch of excuses but he just sucks,” Muhammad wrote on X.

    Muhammad and Covington have frequently gone back and forth across recent years.

    But with the former on the throne following his win over Edwards this past July and the latter far from challenging for it again post-UFC Tampa, it would appear that the chances of the pair settling their score inside the cage are now slim.

  • ‘Perfect End To His Silly Career’ – Fans React As Colby Covington Gets Battered By Joaquin Buckley At UFC Tampa

    ‘Perfect End To His Silly Career’ – Fans React As Colby Covington Gets Battered By Joaquin Buckley At UFC Tampa

    Joaquin Buckley added to the woes of Colby Covington on Saturday night, battering the former interim welterweight champion in the main event of UFC Tampa.

    Buckley clearly took the opening round, stopping every takedown attempt from Covington and damaging his eye, including a knockdown of “Chaos” late in the round. The rising contender continued to land well in the second round, and while he was taken down once, “New Mansa” managed to work his way up with strength and still showed strong defense.

    Covington, who was warned about the cut around his eye that had been busted up over two rounds, continued to be battered as the fight entered the third. Even when the fight was on the ground, Buckley’s attack showed no sign of slowing, targeting that cut.

    In the midst of the third round, the doctor was called in to check on the cut and ruled that Covington could no longer safely continue.

    https://twitter.com/KINGV0NBURNER/status/1868179302883156020

    This marked Buckley’s sixth straight win and perhaps his biggest since a viral knockout of Impa Kasaganay. This most likely will give him a top-five contender as his next opponent.

    Covington, meanwhile, has now lost three of his last four. This was his first fight in almost exactly one year since his unsuccessful challenge of then-UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 296.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights:Ā Joaquin BuckleyĀ TKOs Colby Covington

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights:Ā Joaquin BuckleyĀ TKOs Colby Covington

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!Ā 

    In the main event, welterweightsĀ Colby CovingtonĀ andĀ Joaquin BuckleyĀ clashed. While in the co-main event, Cub Swanson faced Billy Quarantillo in a bantamweight matchup.Ā 

    UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

    • Joaquin Buckley def. Colby Covington via TKO (doctor’s stoppage): R3, 4.42
    • Cub Swanson def. Billy Quarantillo via KO: R3 1.36 
    • Manel Kape def. Bruno Silva via TKO: R3, 1.57  
    • Dustin Jacoby def. Vitor Petrino via KO: R3, 3.44  
    • Daniel Marcos def. Adrian YaƱez via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) 
    • Navajo Stirling def. Tuco Tokkos via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Preliminary Card

    • Michael Johnson def. Ottman Azaitar via KO: R2, 2.03 
    • Joel Ɓlvarez def. Drakkar Klose via KO: R1, 2.48  
    • Sean Woodson def. Fernando Padilla via TKO: R1, 4.58
    • Felipe Lima def. Miles Johns via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
    • Miranda Maverick def. Jamey-Lyn Horth via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Davey Grant def. Ramon Taveras via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27×2)
    • Piera Rodriguez def. Josefine Knutsson via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Sean Woodson def. Fernando Padilla

    Sean Woodson earned the first finish of the night, getting a TKO of Fernando Padilla in the first round of their featherweight bout.

    Joel Ɓlvarez def. Drakkar Klose

    Joel Ɓlvarez earned a first-round KO of Drakkar Klose in their lightweight bout.

    Michael Johnson def. Ottman Azaitar

    In this lightweight bout, Michael Johnson earned a KO of Ottman Azaitar in the second round.

    Main Card Highlights

    Navajo Stirling def. Tuco Tokkos

    Navajo Stirling got it done on the scorecards against Tuco Tokkos.

    Daniel Marcos def. Adrian YaƱez

    Daniel Marcos earned a split decision against Adrian YaƱez in their bantamweight matchup.

    Dustin Jacoby def. Vitor Petrino

    Dustin Jacoby got the win with a KO of Vitor Petrino in the third round.

    Manel Kape def. Bruno Silva

    In this flyweight bout, Manel Kape earned a TKO of Bruno Silva in the third round.

    Cub Swanson def. Billy Quarantillo

    In the co-main event, Cub Swanson KO’d Billy Quarantillo in the third round.

    Joaquin Buckley def. Colby Covington

    In the main event, Joaquin Buckley was awarded a doctor’s stoppage TKO of Colby Covington after the latter could not continue due to a cut above his eye.

  • VIDEO: UFC Tampa Post-Fight Press Conference After Joaquin Buckley, Cub Swanson’s Headline Wins

    VIDEO: UFC Tampa Post-Fight Press Conference After Joaquin Buckley, Cub Swanson’s Headline Wins

    The year-ending UFC Tampa event recently concluded, and MMA News has you covered with the post-fight press conference at Amalie Arena.

    The venue played host to Octagon action on Dec. 14, as the mixed martial arts leader closed out its schedule for 2024 with a strong lineup that featured a former interim champion, ranked contenders, experienced veterans, and some promising prospects.

    Of note were victories for Joaquin Buckley, Cub Swanson, Manel Kape, Dustin Jacoby, Daniel Marcos, Michael Johnson and Sean Woodson.

    And before attention turns to next year’s offerings from the mixed martial arts leader, there remains some business to attend to backstage at UFC Tampa.

    Shortly after the main event’s ending, Dana White is expected to appear in front of the media to reveal the recipients of the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses before answering questions. The victorious fighters from UFC Tampa will also take queries from the press in reaction to their performances.

    With that said, see below for a live stream of the UFC Tampa post-fight press conference via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 1 AM ET.

  • Belal Muhammad Hoping Joaquin Buckley Breaks Colby Covington’s Jaw: ‘We’ve Seen It Before…’

    Belal Muhammad Hoping Joaquin Buckley Breaks Colby Covington’s Jaw: ‘We’ve Seen It Before…’

    Belal Muhammad has made it clear that he will be rooting against Colby Covington in the UFC Tampa main event, where “Chaos” is set to face Joaquin Buckley at the Amalie Arena.

    Muhammad and Covington share a long-standing history of animosity, having exchanged verbal jabs for years. Despite the bad blood, the two have never faced off in the Octagon. Now, the reigning welterweight champ hopes Buckley delivers a decisive victory over the ex-interim titleholder.

    ā€œI’m hoping that Buckley breaks his jaw,ā€ Muhammad said. ā€œI hope that Buckley puts him out cold, and I think that Buckley can put him out cold. Colby’s striking is terrible, and his wrestling looked awful in his last fight. I think Buckley is athletic enough to defend those takedowns.ā€

    Shifting gears, Muhammad provided a detailed analysis of how Buckley could secure a win while highlighting areas where caution will be necessary against the three-time title challenger’s skillset.

    ā€œIf Buckley doesn’t get crazy — he throws a lot of wide hooks that leave openings for shots underneath — he just can’t let Colby push him to the fence,ā€ Muhammad explained. ā€œHe can’t let Colby keep him on the fence and wear him down. In his last fight against ā€˜Wonderboy,’ he was getting a little bit tired, but I think that was more because he was offensive wrestling ā€˜Wonderboy.’ He was taking ā€˜Wonderboy’ down, ā€˜Wonderboy’ would get up, he was trying to hold him down, and you don’t really need to hold Colby down.ā€

    Muhammad emphasized that the primary strategy for “Chaos” would be to rely on takedowns, as he believes the polarizing veteran lacks striking power.

    ā€œColby can’t strike, and nothing he throws is dangerous,ā€ Muhammad said. ā€œWe’ve seen Colby have his jaw broken before by Kamaru (Usman), who isn’t great at striking. So, I think Buckley, who has way more power and way better boxing, can put Colby to sleep.ā€

  • UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

    After staging its latest numbered event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas last weekend, MMA’s leading promotion will close out its 2024 schedule with a card inside the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

    In the main event, the polarizing Covington makes his first appearance of 2024. 12 months on from a third failed attempt at capturing the undisputed welterweight crown, “Chaos” will look to keep his late-career title hopes alive by stalling the charge of Joaquin Buckley.

    Elsewhere, the likes of UFC Hall of Famer Cub Swanson, former Rizin champion Manel Kape, and heavy hitting light heavyweight Vitor Petrino will all be in action.

    Ahead of the event,Ā all 26 fighters successfully made weight. With that, every fight is intact, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC Fight Night Tampa ceremonial weigh-ins.

    Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 4 PM ET.

    UFC Fight Night Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

  • UFC Tampa Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Covington vs. Buckley, Swanson vs. Quarantillo, & More

    UFC Tampa Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Covington vs. Buckley, Swanson vs. Quarantillo, & More

    UFC Tampa is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

    The upcoming event takes place Saturday, December 14, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be former interim welterweight titleholder Colby Covington. A year on from his third failed shot at the undisputed championship, “Chaos” will look to insert himself back into the equation by stalling the charge of Joaquin Buckley.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see two veterans collide in Cub Swanson and Billy Quarantillo. And also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Manel Kape, Vitor Petrino, and Michael Johnson.

    UFC Tampa: Covington vs. Buckley Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Tampa (as of 12/13), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Colby Covington (+200) vs. Joaquin Buckley (-245)
    • Cub Swanson (+124) vs. Billy Quarantillo (-148)
    • Manel Kape (-380) vs. Bruno Silva (+300)
    • Vitor Petrino (-340) vs. Dustin Jacoby (+270)
    • Adrian YaƱez (+185) vs. Daniel Marcos (-225)
    • Navajo Stirling (-750) vs. Tuco Tokkos (+525)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Michael Johnson (-230) vs. Ottman Azaitar (+190)
    • Joel Ɓlvarez (-425) vs. Drakkar Klose (+330)
    • Sean Woodson (-155) vs. Fernando Padilla (+130)
    • Miles Johns (+200) vs. Felipe Lima (-245)
    • Miranda Maverick (-600) vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth (+440)
    • Davey Grant (-122) vs. Ramon Taveras (+102)
    • Josefine Knutsson (-245) vs. Piera Rodriguez (+200)
  • UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    After staging its final numbered event of the year in Las Vegas last weekend, the mixed martial arts leader will close out its 2024 schedule with Octagon action inside Tampa’s Amalie Arena.

    The main event will see Colby Covington make the walk for the first time since his third failed bid to achieve undisputed champion status last December. “Chaos” will meet the charging Joaquin Buckley in a short-notice clash, with “New Mansa” look to continue his unbeaten run at 170 pounds all the way to a place in title contention.

    Before that, the likes of fan-favorite featherweight Cub Swanson, former Rizin champion Manel Kape, light heavyweight powerhouse Vitor Petrino and the always entertaining Adrian YaƱez will all be in action.

    UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley takes place on Saturday, December 14, at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The main card begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

    See above for a replay of the weigh-ins via MMA Fighting, and check out the full results below!

    Main Card:

    • Welterweight Main Event: Colby Covington (171lbs) vs. Joaquin Buckley (171lbs)
    • Featherweight Co-Main Event: Cub Swanson (146lbs) vs. Billy Quarantillo (146lbs)
    • Flyweight: Manel Kape (125lbs) vs. Bruno Silva (126lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Vitor Petrino (204.5lbs) vs. Dustin Jacoby (205.5lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Adrian YaƱez (136lbs) vs. Daniel Marcos (136lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Navajo Stirling (206lbs) vs. Tuco Tokkos (206lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Lightweight: Michael Johnson (156lbs) vs. Ottman Azaitar (156lbs)
    • Lightweight: Joel Ɓlvarez (156lbs) vs. Drakkar Klose (156lbs)
    • Featherweight: Sean Woodson (145.5lbs) vs. Fernando Padilla (145.5lbs)
    • Featherweight: Miles Johns (146lbs) vs. Felipe Lima (146lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Miranda Maverick (126lbs) vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth (126lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Davey Grant (136lbs) vs. Ramon Taveras
    • Women’s Strawweight: Josefine Knutsson (116lbs) vs. Piera Rodriguez (116lbs)

  • Colby Covington Rips Jon Jones For Avoiding Tom Aspinall: ‘Just Like He Ducked Ngannou!’

    Colby Covington and Jon Jones have a long-standing feud that dates back to their days as wrestling teammates at Central Iowa Community College. Since then, the two have seized every opportunity to trash-talk one another.

    While Covington is focused on his upcoming UFC Tampa showdown against Joaquin Buckley this Saturday, he’s also keeping an eye on Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion, and his future plans.

    “Bones” recently revealed that he’s in discussions with the UFC about returning to action in 2025 following his dominant third-round victory over Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. The question now is who Jones will face in his potential comeback.

    Though he’s expressed interest in a fight with reigning light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira, UFC CEO Dana White has suggested that a title unification bout with Tom Aspinall is the more logical option.

    Like many who disagree with Jones’ stance on dodging Aspinall, Covington didn’t hold back his criticism of Jones at the UFC Tampa media day.

    ā€œI think Jon needs to stop ducking Tom Aspinall just like he ducked [Francis] Ngannou,ā€ Covington said. ā€œHe ducked Ngannou for years, now he’s ducking Aspinall. He doesn’t want to fight the guys he knows he’s going to get his ass beat against. So I don’t think anything special of Jon Jones.ā€

    Covington also dismissed Jones’ performance against Miocic, claiming the UFC legend deliberately chose an opponent past his prime.

    ā€œMiocic is an older fighter who shouldn’t have been in the Octagon with Jones. He was just looking to get paid. So, I don’t think Jon’s performance was anything special,ā€ Covington added.

    With Covington preparing for his own fight and Jones plotting a return, the verbal jabs between the two continue to fuel one of the UFC’s longest-running rivalries.

  • Colby Covington Gets Honest On Troubles After Third Failed UFC Title Bid: ‘Mentally Speaking…’

    Colby Covington Gets Honest On Troubles After Third Failed UFC Title Bid: ‘Mentally Speaking…’

    Colby Covington is set to headline the UFC Fight Night in Tampa this Saturday at Amalie Arena in a highly anticipated matchup against Joaquin Buckley. Ahead of his return, it’s safe to say that the former interim champion’s career since 2018 has been a roller coaster of triumphs and setbacks.

    The journey began with Covington claiming the interim welterweight title at UFC 225 with a win over Rafael dos Anjos. However, he was later stripped of the title due to injury.

    At UFC 245 in 2019, he lost to Kamaru Usman via TKO in a bid for the undisputed belt. Covington rebounded in September 2020 with a TKO victory over Tyron Woodley, but subsequent fights brought mixed results.

    “Chaos” suffered another loss to Usman at UFC 268, claimed a decisive win against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272 in March 2022, and most recently fell to Leon Edwards via decision for the title at UFC 296.

    Reflecting on his year-long hiatus, Covington shared insight into his personal and professional growth during the first episode of UFC Journey for this weekend’s main event on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel.

    ā€œIt’s been a year since my last fight, and I’ve used that time to really grow myself as a martial artist and as a person,ā€ Covington said. ā€œMentally speaking, I’m in a better place than I’ve ever been. After I lost three shots at the undisputed title, it felt like the lowest of lows. I lost and forgot who I was, and that was a good reminder that woke me up again. I just had to cancel out the bad energy.ā€

    Covington emphasized his renewed commitment to his goal of becoming the undisputed champion.

    ā€œI knew that I couldn’t let that hype and ego get to my head. I had to train harder to be the No. 1 contender again because all I ever wanted was to be the undisputed champion. That’s all I cared about.ā€

    As the fight against Buckley approaches, Covington sees this as a chance to rewrite past wrongs and silence the critics who have doubted him.

  • Joaquin Buckley Expects To Leapfrog Rakhmonov For Next Title Shot With KO Over Covington

    Joaquin Buckley Expects To Leapfrog Rakhmonov For Next Title Shot With KO Over Covington

    The final UFC events of 2024 come with some big stakes attached for the welterweight division. Last weekend at UFC 310 in Las Vegas, Shavkat Rakhmonov cemented his status as the number one contender.

    In the battle of the undefeated 170-pounds in the co-main event on December 7, “Nomad” earned his first decision win to defeat Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry. Having been set to face Belal Muhammad for the title on this date until the champion withdrew, the two men shared a face-off inside the Octagon after Rakhmonov got his hand raised.

    UFC Tampa is up next where in the main event of the Octagon’s final stop of the year, Joaquin Buckley will look to continue his career-best form when he takes on the former interim champion, Colby Covington. “New Mansa” was originally set to face Garry on this card but against a returning Covington, he believes he still has the opportunity to shake up the division by making a statement.

    With a five-fight winning streak and the #9-ranking next to his name, Buckley told UFC.com in a recent interview that he believes he could insert himself into the title picture if he becomes just the second man to knockout “Chaos” at the Amalie Arena on Saturday night.

    “We saw the performance that Ian Garry and Shavkat put on, it wasn’t that fun to watch right. I feel like for me, it’s just like the performance that I’m gonna put on Colby Covington, I can probably take the opportunity to fight for the belt one day. Even though Shavkat earned his spot, sometimes things happen, some things fall out so with that being said, once I get a good knockout over Colby Covington, I feel like I’m next to fight for that belt.”

  • Ian Garry Outlines ‘Ideal Scenario’ For UFC 310 & Beyond: ‘Take Out Shavkat Early…’

    Ian Garry Outlines ‘Ideal Scenario’ For UFC 310 & Beyond: ‘Take Out Shavkat Early…’

    Ian Garry is setting his sights on a quick finish against Shavkat Rakhmonov in their upcoming showdown, with a strategy for making a lightning-fast return to the Octagon.

    Garry is slated to face Rakhmonov in a crucial five-round welterweight clash that s expected to determine the next title challenger. This highly anticipated showdown is set as the co-main event of UFC 310, taking place on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    “The Future” was never part of the original lineup to co-headline the UFC’s final pay-per-view event of the year. Garry had been scheduled to face Joaquin Buckley at the UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14. The Irishman stepped up on short notice when reigning 170-pound champion Belal Muhammad withdrew from his title defense against “Nomad” due to a bone infection.

    Consequently, Colby Covington was enlisted as an eleventh-hour substitute to fill the void left by Garry’s departure, stepping in to face Buckley in a reshuffled matchup.

    “Chaos” has been firmly on Garry’s radar for nearly a year, with both fighters sharing a simmering animosity that has only fueled their rivalry. This tension drives “The Future” to aim for a swift and injury-free victory over Rakhmonov this Saturday, paving the way for a hypothetical return the following weekend to finally settle the score with the former UFC interim champion.

    During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Garry said that, following a possible victory over Rakhmonov, he plans to approach the UFC’s top brass with a bold request.

    “Here is my ideal scenario,” Garry said. “I go out there Dec. 7 and I take out Shavkat early. I come out of there unscathed and uninjured. I get on the mic and say, ā€˜Hey, I could wait until next year when Belal Muhammad is back. Or… Dana [White], Hunter [Campbell], UFC, I could walk my ass all the way down to Florida, and I could beat the bollocks out of Colby Covington for 25 minutes, and I can prove how good I am next week.’

    “I would love to beat Shavkat, and the following week fight in the main event in Tampa and bury Colby Covington and leave him dead and done in the Octagon, never to be seen again.”

    Garry enters the UFC 310 bout on the heels of a dominant unanimous decision victory over Michael ‘Venom’ Page at UFC 303 this past June. The win marked his second triumph of the year and extended his impressive streak to eight consecutive victories inside the Octagon.

  • Ian Garry: UFC Tampa Booking Proves ‘Coward’ Colby Covington ‘Avoided Me Like The Plague’

    Ian Garry: UFC Tampa Booking Proves ‘Coward’ Colby Covington ‘Avoided Me Like The Plague’

    Though their paths might not be crossing in the way that he had hoped, there is no love lost between Ian Machado Garry and Colby Covington. The undefeated Irishman has spent a fair few months of 2024 going back-and-forth with the former interim champion.

    Covington was the opponent that he wanted to face at UFC 303 in June which would have been the perfect co-main event to Conor McGregor’s return against Michael Chandler. Instead, Garry would get the main card opener slot against the former Bellator star Michael “Venom” Page which he won to remain undefeated.

    Considering the war of words between them which stems all the way back to UFC 296 in December last year where they were scheduled to share the card with each other before Garry withdrew due to illness, it only made sense to revisit this match-up. With how much time he has spent trying to get “Chaos” to fight him, it’s not surprising that he would be frustrated when the welterweight switch-up happened.

    Garry agreed to fight Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Tampa on December 14, admitting recently that the fight didn’t excite him but no one ranked above him would take the match-up. When Belal Muhammad withdrew from his UFC 310 title defense, Garry replaced him to face Shavkat Rakhmonov this Saturday whilst Covington stepped in to clash with Buckley the following week.

    In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Garry reacted to Covington refusing to fight him only to accept a fight with “New Mansa” instead for the same date that the Irishman was originally targeting.

    “I was seething, how do you think I feel? Because I’ve been screaming and shouting about fighting that man from the rafters,” Garry said. “This man’s made videos about me, my wife, my kids – talking about all this s***. And here’s this man avoiding me like the plague, and then the second I book in against the scariest man in the division, he’s like, ā€˜Oh, I’ll fight in Florida.’

    “It just proves, it just shows that he’s a coward, that he wants nothing to do with me,” Garry continued. “The truth is I already know I’ve beaten him. I know I’ve already mentally beaten him. He’s weak. He’s an absolute coward.”

  • Ian Garry Predicts Joaquin Buckley Will ‘Starch’ Colby Covington

    Ian Garry Predicts Joaquin Buckley Will ‘Starch’ Colby Covington

    Ian Garry may have a bigger challenge looming ahead, but he’s far from pleased about Colby Covington’s decision to pass on a showdown with him.

    For nearly a year, Garry and Covington have been locked in a simmering rivalry, with both fighters eager to settle their score in the Octagon. The 27-year-old Irishman has been especially vocal about the prospect of facing Covington.

    “The Future” initially had his sights set on a grudge matchup against the former interim welterweight champion in the main event of the UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14. However, he was ultimately matched up with Joaquin Buckley instead.

    But when reigning 170-pound champion Belal Muhammad was forced to withdraw from his UFC 310 headliner against Shavkat Rakhmonov due to a bone infection, Garry jumped at the chance to fill the void and salvage the matchup.

    Following the changes, “Chaos” was brought in as a last-minute replacement for Garry, stepping up to face Buckley in the newly adjusted lineup.

    During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Garry didn’t hold back, slamming Covington for attacking his personal life and calling the American a coward for supposedly avoiding a showdown with him.

    “The Future” went on to predict that Buckley will completely overpower Covington.

    “I believe he’s going to go out there and get absolutely steamrolled by Joaquin Buckley. I think Buckley starches him.ā€

    “Chaos” has been out of action since his unsuccessful attempt to capture the welterweight title in his third bid against Leon Edwards, a fight that ultimately saw him fall short of his championship aspirations.

  • MMA Analyst Says Colby Covington Might Regret His Return Decision: ā€˜That’s A Different Buckley’

    MMA Analyst Says Colby Covington Might Regret His Return Decision: ā€˜That’s A Different Buckley’

    At UFC Tampa in the promotion’s final event of 2024, Colby Covington makes a somewhat unexpected return to face Joaquin Buckley in the main event on December 14. The former interim welterweight champion has been linked with a lot of different match-ups since his last fight against Leon Edwards in December of last year but none of them have come together.

    Covington will now be replacing Ian Machado Garry to take on the surging Buckley after Garry moved into the co-main event of UFC 310 to face Shavkat Rakhmonov. Though “New Mansa” is in the best form of his life right now, many see Buckley as a more winnable fight for Covington than some of the other names he has been linked with.

    For as good as his winning streak at welterweight has been, he’s got some losses on his record and in some of those, he was outwrestled which is where the former three-time title challenger could get his hand raised.

    Josh Thomson and “Big” John McCarthy raised this point during a recent episode of the Weighing In podcast where they said that “Chaos” may be underestimating Buckley for this very reason. McCarthy spoke about why Covington has decided to come back for this fight in particular.

    ā€œI look and I think Colby actually bit on this fight thinking ā€˜Alright, I’ve seen people out wrestle Buckley in the past and I can out wrestle him and take him down’. Now, that’s a different Buckley though too, Buckley’s a different fighter.ā€

    McCarthy also made reference to Buckley’s 2018 loss in Bellator to Logan Storley, using this as a comparison to his next match-up.

    ā€œYou can look at that and say well, Logan just outwrestled him and dropped him anytime he wanted and takedown stuff. Logan’s a better wrestler than Colby Covington ever was okay, sorry, and Buckley is way better now than he was back then.ā€

  • Henry Cejudo: ‘Predictable’ Colby Covington Could Get Stopped By Joaquin Buckley

    Henry Cejudo: ‘Predictable’ Colby Covington Could Get Stopped By Joaquin Buckley

    Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo can envision Colby Covington falling to a losing skid courtesy of Joaquin Buckley next month.

    Covington is set to make his return to the Octagon a year on from his third failed bid at achieving undisputed champion status on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    After two setbacks opposite Kamaru Usman, the former interim titleholder most recently fell short against Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 296. In the eyes of many, that loss marked the likely end of his pursuit of the welterweight mountaintop.

    “Chaos,” however, sees things differently. He’s vowed throughout the year to bounce back, secure another opportunity, and be crowned kingpin. And his first step toward that comes in a late-notice showdown with Buckley in Tampa.

    Covington is set to headline a UFC Fight Night close to home on Dec. 14, marking the final fight inside the Octagon of 2024. That was originally set be between Ian Garry and Buckley, but after the Irishman was drafted in to fight Shavkat Rakhnmonov at UFC 310 a week prior, Covington has stepped in to meet “New Mansa.”

    During an episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast alongside fellow former UFC champion Usman, Cejudo commented on the new pairing set to close the show inside Amalie Arena.

    “Triple C” gave a disparaging assessment of Covington’s current game, suggesting that the “predictable” nature of it could lead to a knockout loss at the hands of the powerful Buckley.

    “The style that Colby Covington is doing is so predictable now,ā€ Cejudo said. ā€œThe fact that they see him lose time and time again, whether it’s with Leon Edwards or yourself (Usman), it’s there. Once you stop Colby’s takedowns, things will fall into place.

    ā€œLook at how Joaquin covers distance, bro. Double feints, dipping in to eventually stop a dude like ā€˜Wonderboy.’ So, I’m high on this kid. This kid is dangerous,” Cejudo continued. “I can see Colby Covington losing via stoppage to a guy like Joaquin Buckley, and I truly do believe that.ā€

    Buckley, the #9-ranked contender who is coming off a knockout win over Stephen Thompson, will look to prove Cejudo right by becoming only the second man to stop Covington with strikes after “Triple C’s” podcast co-host, Usman.

  • UFC Analyst Believes Colby Covington Was Pushed Into Buckley Fight: ā€˜You Got To Step Up!’

    UFC Analyst Believes Colby Covington Was Pushed Into Buckley Fight: ā€˜You Got To Step Up!’

    Following the major reshuffling of the cards that took place at welterweight, the former interim champion Colby Covington is set to return next month to face Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Tampa.

    “Chaos” replaced Ian Machado Garry who in turn, replaced Belal Muhammad in order to face Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. Covington and Garry have been going back-and-forth at several points throughout the year with the Irishman accusing, both before and after this fight was announced, the #6-ranked contender of ducking him.

    In three of Covington’s last five appearances inside the Octagon, three of them have been in welterweight title fights. He rebounded from both losses to Kamaru Usman by beating Tyron Woodley and Jorge Masvidal before challenging Leon Edwards in his latest outing at UFC 296 last year where he was convincingly beaten over five rounds.

    Some fans weren’t happy to see Covington got the title shot against Edwards having not fought since his win over Masvidal in March of 2022 and that only increased following his disappointing performance against “Rocky”. When UFC analyst and fellow welterweight Michael Chiesa broke down this fight in an interview with Sportskeeda, he said that Buckley’s hunger is what wins him this fight.

    Chiesa believes that Covington was likely persuaded to take this fight by the UFC rather than it being an opportunity that he was biting their hand off for.

    ā€œBuck, Buck all day. I think Joaquin Buckley is an incredible athlete, tremendous power, very, very hungry and that is the most important part in this match-up between Colby and Joaquin. Buckley is war more hungry than Colby Covington, I can tell you that much, like Buckley is chomping at the bit to fight anybody and everybody. 

    ā€œI think that Colby, I don’t know, I have a feeling, I haven’t heard anything but I have a feeling that the UFC was like, ā€˜You have to take this fight. At some point, you got to step up.’ I know you kind of got to sweeten the pot with Colby to get him into the Octagon and get him competing but it’s got to the point where it’s like you fought for the title three times, you don’t get the extra flavor to your dish for taking a fight. It’s like you have to just start fighting if you want to get to a title. You can’t have any guarantees.ā€   

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry Official For UFC 310, Colby Covington Fills vs. Buckley

    Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry Official For UFC 310, Colby Covington Fills vs. Buckley

    After a toe infection to Belal Muhammad forced the UFC welterweight champion out of UFC 310, the Dec. 7 card now has an answer to who will be headlining.

    Per an announcement from UFC CEO Dana White that dropped during Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, intended title challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov will no longer be competing in the main event of UFC 310.

    Tha Kazakh star has instead been moved to the co-main event slot and will face fellow undefeated contender Ian Garry in a five-round, non-title fight.

    The UFC flyweight championship match between champion Alexandre Pantoja and his latest challenger, debutant Kai Asakura, has been promoted to the new UFC 310 main event.

    Furthermore, as a result of Garry competing at UFC 310, Colby Covington will be filling in for him in the UFC Tampa main event on Dec. 14 against the Irishman’s originally booked opponent, Joaquin Buckley.

    Garry Replaces Muhammad In UFC 310 Bout vs. Rakhmonov, Pantoja vs. Asakura Promoted To Main Event

    Rakhmonov became next in line for the welterweight title after his finish of Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, as well as Muhammad’s title win against Leon Edwards at UFC 304. But “Nomad” will now have to put his shot on the line in a matchup with Garry.

    The Irish rising star has fought twice in 2024, earning decision wins over Geoff Neal in February and Michael “Venom” Page four months later.

    Garry and Covington, meanwhile, had been linked to face one another over the course of the last year due to intense hatred between the two seen across social media. “Chaos,” however, has previously stated that he does not feel “The Future” deserves a fight with him.

    Covington is also on the outside looking in of the welterweight title picture, having not fought since his own disappointing outing against Edwards at UFC 296 last year.

    Buckley, on the other hand, has won five straight, most recently knocking out “Wonderboy” at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City just last month.

  • Colby Covington On Why He’s Backing Miocic At UFC 309: ā€˜A Real American With Morals & Values’

    Colby Covington On Why He’s Backing Miocic At UFC 309: ā€˜A Real American With Morals & Values’

    Colby Covington is throwing his support behind Stipe Miocic to beat Jon Jones in their upcoming title fight.

    Jones is set to defend his heavyweight belt against Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, slated for Nov. 16 at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden.

    “Bones” enters the fight as a heavy favorite, with many MMA analysts predicting he’ll dominate the former champion with ease. However, Covington has offered a contrasting view, believing that Miocic is poised to deliver a stunning upset.

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, “Chaos” was asked to predict the UFC 309 headliner. The former interim welterweight champion commended Miocic’s relentless work ethic while casting aspersions on Jones, pointing to his turbulent past as a reason he believes “Bones” is unworthy of the victory.

    “Stipe is a great American; he’s a patriot,” Covington said. “He’s a first responder, and the guy’s a hard worker. He’s managed being a firefighter while being a UFC champion. I mean, to have a double life like that is just so impressive, and I can only imagine his work ethic. So I’m really rooting for a real American, a guy that has morals and values — something that Jon lacks.

    “He [Jones] has no morals and values; he’s a terrible person. He’s beaten his wife, he’s had multiple drug challenges, terrible steroid charges, so he’s not a good person. He doesn’t deserve to win, so I’m rooting for Stipe, and I hope he gets it done.”

    Jones and Miocic were originally scheduled to clash at UFC 295 in November 2023. The fight was unexpectedly called off when the reigning champion sustained a torn pectoral muscle just weeks before the event.

    The New Yorker claimed the heavyweight title with a first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. Meanwhile, Miocic has been out of action for over three years. His last appearance came at UFC 260 in March 2021, where he was knocked out by Francis Ngannou, costing him the championship.

    • Read More: CSAC Director Supports Overturning Jon Jones’ Controversial Loss
  • Colby Covington Includes Paddy Pimblett On List Of Opponents He’d Welcome For His UFC Return

    Colby Covington Includes Paddy Pimblett On List Of Opponents He’d Welcome For His UFC Return

    Former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington is eyeing a return to action next year, and he has a couple of potential foes in mind.

    Covington hasn’t appeared inside the Octagon since his third failed attempt at capturing undisputed gold on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage last December.

    Having previously had his ambitions stalled by Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards continued the trend against Covington at UFC 296 to record his second — and ultimately last — successful defense of the 170-pound belt.

    “Chaos” put that result down to a broken foot sustained in the very first round. And although he targeted a return once healing from that this past summer, he most recently pointed to his work on the campaign trail for Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election as the reason behind his ongoing absence.

    With that, the controversial UFC veteran now has his sights on an early 2025 return to active competition.

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Covington claimed that talks are ongoing over a potential showdown with Jack Della Maddalena in the first quarter of 2025.

    While “Chaos” was surprisingly respectful when discussing the Australian, the same can’t be said when his attention turned to an option from outside his division…

    “A fight that’s being talked about, this guy’s running his mouth a little bit, which is weird because every time I see this guy, he puts his eyes down and he walks past me like a little b*tch,” Covington said. “Now he wants to throw stones in the media. I don’t know if you’ve seen, Paddy Pimblett, he’s been throwing some stones.

    “He’s been running his mouth in the media, saying, ‘I’ll go up to welterweight, I’ll fight Colby.’ Of course he wants to come up to welterweight and fight me or Conor (McGregor), the two biggest names in the UFC right now,” Covington continued. “He’d be honored and be lucky to get this fight. But I think we need to get it going. I don’t like when people talk big to the media and don’t back up their talk. … We need to hold him accountable for his words…stupid, dumb bowl cut.”

    Pimblett has long expressed a firm dislike toward Covington, calling him out for the supposed persona he’s employed for much of his UFC career.

    “The Baddy” was notably among the vocal critics of the American’s conduct at the pre-fight press conference for UFC 296 last December, during which he made unsavory comments about Edwards’ deceased father.

  • Colby Covington: ā€˜Weight Bully’ Makhachev’s Champ-Champ Plans ā€˜All Talk’ Like Khabib

    Colby Covington: ā€˜Weight Bully’ Makhachev’s Champ-Champ Plans ā€˜All Talk’ Like Khabib

    With Belal Muhammad now reigning as the welterweight champion and his next challenger already lined up for the first quarter of 2025, it doesn’t look like Islam Makhachev will be making the jump to 170-pounds anytime soon. The pound-for-pound number one has spoken about wanting to challenge himself up a weight class many times.

    Having fought and defeated Alexander Volkanovski, who was the featherweight champion at the time, on two occasions, Makhachev wanted his opportunity to try and win a second belt. Instead, he’s now gearing up for a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan in the near future.

    One fighter that was very outspoken about the idea of Makhachev moving up was the former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington. Given his trash talking public persona, a fight between him and the lightweight king would’ve been a huge fight.

    He recently criticized Makhachev for going back on his plans during a recent interview with Submission Radio where he accused the champion, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, of being weight bullies who don’t commit to anything they say.

    “Not really, you know. We saw the same thing with Khabib. He talked a big game his whole career, ‘Oh I’m going to go to 170, I’m going to stop cutting all this weight,’ because both those guys are legitimately cutting chromosomes off their bodies. Those guys are huge lightweights. I mean they’re bigger than me and I’m a weight class up so those guys are walking around at 190 plus, probably closer to 200. So, you know, they’re just weight bullies and that’s what they do best.

    “They talk a big game like they’re going to come up to welterweight but they’ve never actually done it so if he wanted to come up and look for big fights, look no further than me. USA versus Russia, this is the biggest fight you could possibly get. I mean it’s a mega blockbuster fight but I think Islam’s all talk just like Khabib. They’re never actually going to come up to welterweight, they’re just going to stay at lightweight and throw stones from the lightweight division.”

  • Colby Covington Claims He Offered To Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ā€˜They Can Call Me On A Week’s Notice’ 

    Colby Covington Claims He Offered To Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ā€˜They Can Call Me On A Week’s Notice’ 

    UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington has claimed to have thrown his name in the hat to face the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov on short notice next month.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is scrambling for a new main event to close out its pay-per-view schedule for 2024. That’s after the withdrawal of UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad from the Las Vegas-held UFC 310 on Dec. 7.

    “Remember the Name” was scheduled to put his 170-pound belt on the line for the first time opposite Rakhmonov, but a severe bone infection has forced him out.

    Since then, “Nomad” has outlined his hopes to remain on next month’s numbered card in competition for interim gold. Among the possible opponents, the Kazakh has specifically pointed to Kamaru Usman as the most likely.

    And according to a man who knows “The Nigerian Nightmare” well, those plans are firmly in motion, and have even stopped him from stepping up to the plate.

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Covington addressed his absence from the Octagon and suggested a comeback in the first quarter of 2025 is likely.

    He did, however, claim that fans could have seen him extremely soon had the UFC accepted his apparent offer to save the day at UFC 310.

    “I offered (to replace Muhammad). I told the UFC that I was willing to step up to the plate. … They know they can call me on a week’s notice and I’m stepping up to the plate,” Covington said. “I would love to save the show and put on a good show for the fans. They pay their hard-earned money for big mega fights, they need a mega fight, that’s not a mega fight. They need someone who is going to put asses in seats and entertain people. So, I was excited. I wanted the fight and I asked for it but I think they have other plans.”

    And had that come to fruition, “Chaos” doesn’t think he’d have had much trouble dispatching of Rakhmonov — something he expects to prove down the line.

    “I can walk him down and pressure him and he’s not going to like my pressure. He doesn’t do very well with southpaws,” Covington explained. “We saw how he did with the busboy Geoff Neal. That was a very competitive fight. He hasn’t fought a top contender yet. He has fought some gatekeepers of the division, some guys on the cusp of the top 10. But he’s never fought a champion like me and a guy who’s going to come at him for five straight rounds and just walk him down.

    “I match up well, he stands very tall. I don’t see anything special with him. He has some good submissions, he’s slick, but that’s when he can control the wrestling. He’s not going to control the wrestling on me,” Covington continued. “I think I can beat him pretty easily and I think it’s a favorable fight, and it’s a fight I win in the future whether he wins or loses in December.”

    Whether or not his claim is true has been quickly debated in the MMA community, with many suggesting that he’s simply capitalizing on an opportunity knowing that different plans are already in the works for Rakhmonov.

    Either way, the American is seemingly eyeing a 2025 return. During the same interview, he put his absence this year down to his work on the campaign trail prior to Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election this week.

  • Colby Covington Reveals Conversation With Donald Trump On Election Night: ‘Most Historic Night Of My Life…’

    Colby Covington Reveals Conversation With Donald Trump On Election Night: ‘Most Historic Night Of My Life…’

    Donald Trump’s close relationship with Dana White is no secret at this point. The UFC President accompanied Trump during his historic win in the US Presidential election and even gave a speech.

    From Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje to Sean Strickland and Dustin Poirier, Trump has many supporters from the UFC roster. Colby Covington backs the Republican Party member as well, frequently expressing his support during interviews and official UFC media interactions.

    The 47th President of the United States invited White alongside a group of UFC fighters including Covington while votes were being counted. “Chaos” described this as one of the most memorable moments of his life during an interview for the Submission Radio YouTube channel.

    The former interim UFC welterweight champion believes that the 2024 presidential elections make for a landmark moment in US history. Trump has supported the UFC from its early days, and Covington is positive that the promotion will benefit greatly from his win.

    “Probably the most historic night of my life. I mean, when you’re talking in terms of the future of our country. And the future of the world, really, because America. Everything goes to America,” Covington continued. “We exchanged a couple of words, you know. He’s excited. He’s always asking, ‘Colby, when is your next fight? Man, I want to come to your next fight’. And, you know, so he’s going to be there at the next fight.”

    Covington revealed that Trump always asks him about his next fight, and the night of the election was no different. The UFC welterweight expects the President to watch his imminent return to the Octagon live and thanked him for having an inspiring work ethic.

    “Chaos” is naturally elated with Trump’s victory. He had high praise for White too, who introduced Covington to the Trump family. The former title challenger appreciated the UFC CEO’s healthy lifestyle and sharp mic skills, which were on display during the election night.

  • Ian Garry Says Colby Covington Ignoring Fight Proposal

    Ian Garry Says Colby Covington Ignoring Fight Proposal

    Ian Garry recently claimed that the UFC has offered him a fight against Colby Covington; however, he noted that the potential matchup is only halfway to becoming a reality.

    Garry and Covington have been caught up in a heated feud for nearly a year, with both fighters repeatedly expressing their eagerness to settle their differences in the Octagon. Notably, the Irishman has been actively seeking this matchup.

    “The Future” recently posted an Instagram video where he revealed that he agreed to a fight with Covington a month ago, but he has yet to receive any word from “Chaos”.

    “What’s up, everyone? So, I’m coming on to let everybody know, keep everybody in the loop, and keep everyone updated because it matters,” Garry said. “A month ago, I was offered a fight with Colby Covington. It took me all of 20 seconds to respond to the email saying, ā€˜Yes, I’m in.’ A month later, we still have no response from Colby. He’s avoiding me like the plague, and there’s one reason and one reason only this fight isn’t happening, and his name is Colby Covington.ā€

    According to recent media reports, UFC matchmakers are looking to pair Garry and Covington as the headliners for a Fight Night event in Tampa, Florida, on December 14. However, with less than two months remaining, there has yet to be any official confirmation.

    Garry is fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Michael Page at UFC 303 in June. He remains undefeated in his professional career, with an impressive eight-fight winning streak in the UFC. A potential clash with Covington would enhance his status in the UFC welterweight division, propelling him closer to a title shot.

    Meanwhile, “Chaos” has been inactive since suffering a one-sided unanimous decision loss in his third attempt at the 170-pound title against then-champion Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in December 2023. Covington’s last victory dates back to March 2022, when he triumphed over his former friend-turned-rival Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272.

  • Joaquin Buckley Open To Fighting Different Former Champ If Usman Rejects Callout

    Joaquin Buckley Open To Fighting Different Former Champ If Usman Rejects Callout

    Joaquin Buckley earned his biggest win to date at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City to extend his welterweight winning streak to five. “New Mansa” became just the second man to stop Stephen Thompson with strikes in the UFC after exploding forward in the third round.

    Buckley, who has been criticized for his post-fight call outs in the past, had one name in mind that seemed to go down well with the fans and media. He called to face former champion Kamaru Usman who has been inactive since his short notice bout with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 last year.

    The #9-ranked contender hasn’t received the response that he would’ve wanted but fortunately for him, he has names other than Usman on his hit list.

    In a recent interview with Luke Thomas, Buckley gave his thoughts on the rest of the welterweight top ten where some big fights could be coming soon.

    After speaking about the upcoming title fight in his division at UFC 310, the former middleweight weighed in with his take on a potential fight between the undefeated Ian Machado Garry and the former interim champion Colby Covington.

    This is a fight that Garry was pushing for heavily at one stage but despite several replies from Covington, never got any closer to happen and as a result, “Chaos” hasn’t fought since his disappointing performance at UFC 296.

    Buckley said that due to the name and ranking that Covington still holds at 170-pounds, this is a fight that would interest him if the Usman match-up doesn’t happen. Thomas initially asked “New Mansa” whether in his opinion, Covington is “washed” at 26-years old considering his lack of activity.

    ā€œThat’s a question for him to answer to but my thing is, the last fight that he had was against Leon Edwards and that was about a year ago now, so time ain’t on nobody’s side. If you really want to show the world what you up to and what you’ve been doing and how you been working, you got to take a fight. I’m happy to find out myself too with Colby Covington if he ain’t got nothing lined up.ā€