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https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3155191/ufc-268-colby-covington-begs-dana-white-let Mixed Martial Arts
UFC 268: Colby Covington begs Dana White ‘let me end Jorge Masvidal’s career’
- ‘Chaos’ switches targets to his former teammate and heated rival, following decision defeat by Kamaru Usman in New York
- ‘He [Masvidal] should probably pull out of that fight with Leon Scott and we should just run it next year,’ Covington says
Colby Covington throws a punch against Kamaru Usman during UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden. Photo: Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports
Shaking off his unanimous decision defeat by welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 268, Colby Covington renewed another old rivalry, taking aim at Jorge Masvidal during the post-event press conference.
“I think the most logical step is the heated rivalry with me and my old roommate, ‘Street Judas’ Masvidal,” Covington told reporters backstage at Madison Square Garden in New York in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“He should probably pull out of that fight with Leon Scott [Leon Edwards] and we should just run it in the first quarter of the year.”
Former title challenger Masvidal is set to face No 3-ranked Edwards on next month’s UFC 269 card in Las Vegas, with another title shot potentially on the line.
Covington’s bickering with Masvidal and former UFC interim lightweight champ Dustin Poirier helped lead to his departure from the American Top Team gym in Florida, and the 32-year-old American (16-3) is clearly not willing to forgive and forget.
“He’s [Masvidal] talked so much s*** in the media, and said so many things about me. Look at what happened when he fought Marty [Kamaru Usman] – he got dusted,” Covington added.
“If he fought me he would get dusted even worse and it wouldn’t even be competitive, so I just wanna hold these people accountable for the way they run their mouths.
“It makes sense. If he goes ahead with that Leon Scott fight, [UFC matchmaker] Hunter Campbell, I just pray to you, please God don’t cut him after that third loss in a row. Save him around and let me be the one who ends his career.”
Covington was also keen on having his rivalry with Masvidal play out as coaches on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter, and believes a win over him would get him back to a trilogy with Usman.
Kamaru Usman knocks out Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261. Photo: Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports
“The heat on that, there’s not a lot of fights like that in the UFC that they can sell, so I’m just begging Hunter Campbell, I’m begging [UFC president] Dana White, please let it happen.
“What better way to have a heated rivalry like that than on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’? It sells the show. That shows been boring man. There’s no animosity. Guys are trying to fake these dramas and these storylines.
“Let’s get a real storyline with a guy I used to beat up every day in the living room. Where’s his street cred gonna be if he ducks me his whole career?”