Colby Covington’s subsequent combat will probably be a essential one.
It’s protected to say that UFC 296’s foremost occasion didn’t fairly go the way in which anybody anticipated earlier this month. After almost the total yr of build-up, Covington returned to motion for an arguably undeserved third-career undisputed UFC welterweight title shot. Sadly for “Chaos,” the third time wasn’t the allure as he was soundly stifled in an uncharacteristic efficiency because the champion Leon Edwards cruised to a 49-46 unanimous determination victory throughout the board.
UFC 296 was a combat week filled with characters with the 170-pound weight class taking on many of the highlight. Because the week started, rising undefeated 13-0 contender Ian Machado Garry had develop into one of many hottest matters within the sport for quite a lot of causes each out and in of the cage. All through the weeks main up, the vocally fearless Covington took his pictures at nearly any fellow fighter he was requested about, together with Garry’s private life. Garry fell below hearth from the group — and the UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland — after a decade-old guide revealed by his spouse Layla Anna-Lee titled Easy methods to be a WAG surfaced on-line. Anna-Lee has since come out and claimed the guide was a parody and to not be taken critically.
For Covington, he couldn’t assist however pile on each time requested concerning the 26-year-old.
“It’s humorous as a result of all of the people who have taken [trash talk] private up to now, in the course of the time, after their checks clear their banks they notice, ‘Hey, man. I really respect all the pieces you probably did, Colby,’” Covington informed Tucker Carlson. “‘You made me much more cash in any other case in case you would’ve simply been quiet and acted like a mute. However the truth that you had been vocal and also you made it extra animosity-filled for the combat, that made me more cash in the long term. So, thanks, Colby.’
“There’s one man that’s a reputable cuck and I’ve known as him out for that. I simply mentioned the reality, I mentioned, ‘That’s disgusting, you’re a cuck and your spouse is a vile girl.’ She’s promoting books selling being a ‘WAG,’ being a spouse and a girlfriend. I’m not gonna let the world not discover that. I’m gonna convey it to the forefront and ensure everybody’s speaking about it and make it a joke for you.”
In the end, Garry didn’t find yourself combating at UFC 296 in his scheduled conflict with Vicente Luque after he fell unwell with pneumonia in the course of the Las Vegas combat week. “The Future” has since had a beforehand canceled matchup with Geoff Neal now rebooked to happen at UFC 298 in February.
Instantly after his loss to Edwards, Covington focused his fellow veteran welterweight contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson as the highest choice for his subsequent opponent. Nonetheless, ought to the likelihood line as much as get his palms on Garry, Covington is all for it.
“He was fairly indignant. I feel he in all probability desires to settle the variations within the octagon,” Covington mentioned. “It simply so occurs I wish to combat within the octagon so if it must occur someday, I’d be honored to settle that.
“It’s simply somebody that’s been speaking smack within the media, been throwing some phrases round at me, and by no means carried out something or achieved half of what I’ve achieved within the sport so I needed to give it again to him and simply say the reality. It did shut him up, however I’ve a powerful feeling he’ll have one thing else to say very quickly.”
Evaluation. Daniel Cormier: Dricus Du Plessis’ individuals imagine Sean Strickland is ‘an afterthought,’ combat gained’t be aggressive
Awards. MMA Preventing’s 2023 Submission of the Yr: Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko
Planning. Dana White expects to ‘get one thing found out quickly’ with Conor McGregor
Critique. Colby Covington fires again at Paddy Pimblett: ‘He’ll by no means be a top-30 fighter’
Progress. Oktagon MMA to make use of open scoring for fights beginning with upcoming occasion
Rivalry. Deiveson Figueiredo: Sean O’Malley ‘has one thing to fret about now’
MMA Preventing’s Damon Martin chats with Paige VanZant.
BROADENED HORIZIN.
UFC Honors: UFC Occasion of 2023 nominees.
UFC 296 Slo-Mo.
Yr of the Fighter: The Nice and a Thug.
Finest PFL rounds of 2023.
Zombie Journey 3.
Between the Hyperlinks. MMA Preventing’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew convey you the 2023 Promotional Festivus: Grading one of the best and worst from UFC, PFL, extra.
Prepared.
Sports activities conflict.
Signing.
Undefeated Russian Murad Ramazanov — 11-0 with one no contest together with 3 wins in ONE Championship — has signed to affix the roster on the PFL, per his supervisor @AliAbdelaziz00
Ramazanov has competed at each welterweight and middleweight up to now. @PFLMMA
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) December 28, 2023
Funk.
Boxing.
Crew.
Historical past.
He is aware of a factor or two.
This man.
Response?
I’d reply to @ColbyCovMMA however I’m scared of his ambulance chancing, cut-rate legal professional…I’ve sufficient on my plate….I don’t want a bogus defamation go well with based mostly on my correct tweets. Fighters don’t sue fighters for combating. How’s your “mind harm” child?
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 29, 2023
I heard there was a gathering in Abu Dhabi or Dubai tonight…hopefully Dana can persuade @TheNotoriousMMA to be a person of his phrase…however all of us make claims we will’t again up at occasions…it’s human nature…I don’t fault him for it.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 29, 2023
Covington feels type of like the right gatekeeper-type of take a look at at this level so the Garry matchup isn’t all too unhealthy ought to Garry beat Neal.
Joyful Friday and Joyful New Yr, everybody. Right here’s to 2024 being higher than the final. Have an ideal however protected weekend. Thanks for studying!
Ballot
Is Colby Covington vs. Ian Machado Garry the combat to make if Garry will get previous Geoff Neal at UFC 298?
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