UFC star Colby Covington could have exchanged gloves with Khamzat Chimaev inside the Octagon if the latter’s fight against Nate Diaz wouldn’t fall apart. However, the Chechen fighter flunked the opportunity as the scales weighed 9 lbs over the prescribed 170 limit. A probable win against ‘Stockton Slapper’ could have eased the Swedish fighter’s path to the American fighter and ultimately to a title shot. While ‘Chaos’ disclosed he wanted to ride the hype train of the Swede, the unprofessional conduct played a deterrent role. Despite the promotion’s efforts, the awaited fight couldn’t materialize and afforded the Clovis native another opportunity to take a jibe at the surging title contender.
Notably, the 35-year-old, in a post-UFC 286 press conference, opened up about his probable fight against the wrestler. After being asked about the UFC’s offer of such a fight, he unveiled they did not formally present the fight to him. However, it was the fight he wanted.
Colby Covington takes a dig at ‘quitter’ Khamzat Chimaev
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The #2 ranked welterweight specified his intentions behind the prospect of taking the fight. He said, “I wanted to derail that hype train, you know. Everybody was building them up to be colossal like he was this great fighter. I saw the quitter on him from the start.”
Following this, the MMA Masters team’s product mentioned he knew the undefeated fighter lacked cardio. He wanted to break his rival inside 5-rounds, expose his gas tank and make him quit within 3 rounds.
Similarly, the 17-3 record holder recalled, “So, you know, I was begging to fight that. I was chomping at the bib, but we saw how unprofessional he was.”
Later on, Covington expressed how UFC gave the 28-year-old the easiest fight in Nate Diaz.
Covington believes Chimaev missed the opportunity despite support from the best professionals
Pointing out the promotion’s efforts in setting up an Octagon date between the two, the former interim champion told, “To build this up and make it a spectacle and he couldn’t do it. He’s out there laughing, missing weight by nine pounds when he had the best professionals in the world of the UFC PI.”
“So the guy’s a clown. I don’t want to ever hear that guy’s name in this division again. Let that dog motherf*cking dog face motherf*cking rot in 85,” he added later on.
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What do you think of these statements by UFC star Colby Covington? Do you believe a potential fight involving the two could materialize in the future? Let us know in the comments below.
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