There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Khabib Nurmagomedov might have actually been the greatest lightweight fighter of all time. While there are a few people contesting that, no one can deny it outright. His protégé, Islam Makhachev, has also been holding his own in the division and carrying the lightweight belt in succession.

However, it seems welterweight fighter Colby Covington has a lot to say about the Dagestani fighters. Does he have a standing beef with Islam Makhachev or Khabib Nurmagomedov? Or is he just trying to grab the headlines now that his title fight against division champ Leon Edwards is drawing near? Watch as he opens up on Makhachev’s and Nurmagomedov’s ‘weight-cutting’ antics and goes on a rant.

Colby Covington disses the Dagestani fighters’ weight-cutting process and issues a challenge

Colby Covington is an outspoken fighter who really doesn’t seem like he’s scared of anyone. At UFC 296, the welterweight fighter is going to be fighting the division champ, Leon Edwards. Covington has been waiting for this opportunity for a while, and now he has it. However, it seems there is some unfinished business in the lightweight division.

In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Colby Covington went on a rant about Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s weight-cutting game and how their’ big talk’ about moving up weight classes was nothing more than just words. “The guy definitely walks around at more weight than I do. I just choose to fight closer to my natural weight. I don’t wanna cut all that weight to get the advantage, so…“, said Covington, talking about Islam Makhachev, who, as the interviewer pointed out, was rooting for him to win.

Then Covington went on to talk about Makhachev and Nurmagomedov. “You know, I’d like to see him come up and test himself. Him and the Dagestani have been talking a big game. Him and Khabib, for years they were going to come up, test themselves, go to a different weight class – you know, those are big guys cutting a lot of weight… getting that big cutting weight advantage and trying to be the stronger guy on Fight Night lightweight and just overpower these guys.“, added the welterweight title contender. In fact, he didn’t stop there. He even issued an open challenge to Makhachev to come and fight him at this natural weight. 

“But come fight at your natural weight. Come – let’s test yourself you know? He’s talking a game like everybody. He wants to be number one pound-for-pound. This is how you prove that.“, exclaimed Covington.

Dive Deeper – “Even His Daddy Knows…”: Taking a Jibe at Islam Makhachev, Colby Covington Drags Khabib Nurmagomedov Into His Rant While Making a Bold Statement About the Dagestani Legend

The fighter has taken jabs at the Dagestani fighters before as well. He had claimed that Khabib Nurmagomedov feared him and didn’t come up to welterweight because of him. He even dragged his later father into the mix. Is it just a matter of time before his wish is fulfilled and Makhachev steps up to the game?

Islam Makhachev doesn’t shy away from Colby Covington’s challenge

When the news of Covington wanting to fight Islam Makhachev after Leon Edwards started going viral, Makhachev responded with a confirmation. He initially sent out a tweet saying “easy money“. Then he gave a proper statement about fighting Covington and how Covington winning against Edwards could benefit him.

Apparently, the Dagestani lightweight champ is rooting for Colby Covington to win the fight against Leon Edwards. Not because he is too fond of him, but because he believes the fight against Covington is something that could be really great. He praised Covington’s wrestling skills and said that he was rooting for him because Covington wanted that fight, and he wanted to give it to him. As for Edwards, he said that the welterweight champ hasn’t asked for that fight, so he wants Covington after he is done with Charles Oliveira at UFC 296. As of now, both fighters have their jobs cut out for them.

Do you agree with Covington’s views? Let us know in the comments.

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