Colby Covington’s 2024 campaign can only be described as a massive letdown. After spending the entire year on the sidelines, he returned to action this month at UFC Tampa, stepping into the Octagon against Joaquin Buckley. However, the Clovis native faced infamy in a one-sided affair and was ultimately stopped in the third round by the ringside doctor. The night ended with Covington’s dreams shattered and his face battered and bloodied.

The defeat pushed Colby Covington’s losses to 4 in his last 6 outings, casting doubt over the 36-year-old’s future in the division. Unsurprisingly, the MMA community has been buzzing about the lopsided nature of the fight, with the Covington vs. Buckley clash becoming a hot topic. Even renowned coach Javier Mendez of the American Kickboxing Academy weighed in on the matter during a podcast discussion. When asked if he had seen the fight, Mendez admitted he hadn’t but mentioned a viral locker-room clip featuring the former interim champion and his mentor, Chael Sonnen.

In the clip, Colby Covington remarked, “Not bad for no training camp,” with Sonnen acknowledging his mentee’s unpreparedness. Mendez offered his perspective, saying, “I guess they didn’t have the right training camp for this fight, or something must have happened to Colby, and he went and fought anyway. I guess he didn’t do well. I guess Dana said the stoppage was too early, they should have let it go, something about his eyes getting all busted up.”

Mendez’s co-host, Len, added more context, saying, “It looked like he lost an eyelid; his face was ripped apart.” Mendez acknowledged the severity of the injury, though he refrained from passing further judgment. Chael Sonnen also declined to delve deeper into the incident and Mendez stated on the matter, “I can’t be a judge on something I didn’t see. I can only go on what I hear, and I hear that from Chael Sonnen’s side and Colby’s, that they didn’t do a training camp.”

Covington’s struggles with training camps have been a recurring issue since he departed from the American Top Team in 2020. Following his exit, his performance has dropped drastically. His decision to leave after eight years was reportedly due to a fallout with several gym-mates, including Dustin Poirier and Jorge Masvidal. ‘Gamebred’ later accused Covington of not only having conflicts with teammates but also failing to pay the agreed-upon fees to the gym’s coaches. Let’s hear directly from Masvidal on the matter.

Jorge Masvidal exposes Colby Covington

Colby Covington has carved out a reputation as the ultimate heel in the UFC, becoming infamous for his villainous antics and sharp-tongued trash talk. Known for mentally dismantling his opponents long before stepping into the cage, the Clovis native’s current persona is a far cry from the fighter he once was. This shift in character was initially supported by none other than his former close friend, Jorge Masvidal, who once referred to him as a “brother for life.”

However, Masvidal now regrets his decision to help Covington during his early struggles. ‘Chaos’ was facing financial hardships in his MMA career. Recognizing his potential, Masvidal introduced him to the American Top Team (ATT), where the coaches extended a lifeline. In return, Covington agreed to pay a 5% commission on his fight purses. Under ATT’s guidance, the former interim champion flourished, embarking on a seven-fight win streak that brought him within striking distance of a title shot and significantly boosted his earnings.

But when success came knocking, Covington’s loyalty wavered. He severed ties with Masvidal, ATT founder Dan Lambert, and the gym staff, leaving the facility without fulfilling his financial obligations. The betrayal left a bitter taste, and Masvidal didn’t hold back during a candid appearance on Jake Paul’s podcast. “On top of that, [Colby] ripped off my coach of the five percent that he owed him per fight when he finally made a check. Instead of paying out my coach, what did he do? Skipped out of town. F–k you twice, motherf–ker. That’s my coach,” Masvidal said, his frustration evident.

What are your thoughts on Colby Covington’s loss to Joaquin Buckley? Do you believe his lack of a proper fight camp was the main factor behind the defeat? This isn’t the first time ‘Chaos’ has cited external reasons for a loss—after falling to Leon Edwards last year, he blamed it on his “HAP” diagnosis. Share your opinions in the comments below!