Three-time UFC title challenger Colby Covington has decided not to fight Ian Machado Garry, stating that the bout would do nothing for his career, and instead has issued a challenge to former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira and the current No. 1 welterweight contender, Belal Muhammad.
Colby Covington’s done with Ian Machado Garry. That’s the word from the three-time UFC title contender. He spilled the beans to Submission Radio recently, saying that the much-hyped bout with Garry is now a no-go.
Why? Well, despite the constant chatter between the two welterweights, Covington’s got his eyes set on new horizons. Remember when Garry announced in April that he was ready to rumble with Covington? He even demanded that Covington ink the contract. But Covington shot down that claim in May. Now, he’s looking elsewhere.
Covington’s got some advice for Garry. “You’re gonna have to learn things the hard way,” he said. He’s not sure if the opportunity for a fight with Garry will come back around. He’s said his piece about Garry, and according to him, it’s nothing but the truth.
Garry’s recent split decision against Geoff Neal, a.k.a the “busboy,” didn’t impress Covington. He scoffed at the idea of Garry, fresh off a win against a part-time fighter, calling the shots. “No kid, you’ll do as you’re told,” Covington said, adding that Garry should sit quietly in a corner.
Covington doesn’t think Garry’s worth his time. “No one cares about the kid,” he said. He doesn’t see any high-profile wins in Garry’s record. A fight with Garry wouldn’t do anything for Covington’s career, he believes. If he beats Garry, he thinks people will just shrug it off, saying Garry’s a nobody.
Covington, now 36, has been MIA since his defeat against UFC welterweight champ Leon Edwards last December. That marked his third unsuccessful attempt at the UFC belt. His record since late 2019 isn’t stellar, with only two wins in his last five fights. He hasn’t beaten anyone currently ranked in UFC’s official welterweight rankings.
But that hasn’t stopped Covington from throwing down the gauntlet to former UFC lightweight champ Charles Oliveira. Oliveira’s been toying with the idea of moving up to welterweight after his UFC 300 loss. Covington’s ready to welcome him to the 170-pound division. He’s also got his sights set on the current No. 1 welterweight contender, Belal Muhammad.
“I would like Belal. He’s talked a lot of smack,” Covington said. He thinks Muhammad’s been resting on his laurels and should step up to fight. Covington doesn’t believe Muhammad deserves a title fight, especially after sitting out for over a year.
Interestingly, Covington himself took a 21-month hiatus between his victory over Jorge Masvidal and his recent loss to Edwards. But he’s on the mend now, recovering from a foot injury sustained in the Edwards fight. He’s hoping to be back in training in four to six weeks and is eyeing a UFC comeback in the fall of 2024.
“It’s been a slower process than I initially thought,” Covington admitted. He broke his foot in three places, causing a mid-foot fracture. Now, he’s focused on regaining strength in his left leg, which has atrophied after being in a walking boot for 12 to 14 weeks. The bone’s healing, but he needs to build strength and balance in his leg for his next fight. “In my next fight, I have to be 100 percent. That’s so important to me for my legacy and my career,” he said.