Colby Covington: Tyron Woodley won’t fight me because ‘I broke him’ in the gym

Colby Covington believes Tyron Woodley is avoiding him because of their last encounter during training. After defeating Demian Maia at UFC Sao Paulo more than a week ago, Colby Covington has been actively campaigning for a title shot agains…

Colby Covington believes Tyron Woodley is avoiding him because of their last encounter during training.

After defeating Demian Maia at UFC Sao Paulo more than a week ago, Colby Covington has been actively campaigning for a title shot against Tyron Woodley. In his mind he is the rightful contender, despite the upcoming title eliminator fight between Robbie Lawler and Rafael dos Anjos this December.

From his end, Woodley is not really showing that much interest in the fight because of Covington’s “pillow fists”. But for Covington, it could be because of one of their encounters in the gym where he claims he had gotten the better of the current welterweight champion.

“Man, the guy’s making all these excuses,” Covington told Impact Wrestling (H/T MMA Mania). “He doesn’t want to tell the world the real reason he doesn’t want to fight me.”

“The real reason Tyron Woodley doesn’t want to fight me is because the last time we were in the gym together, I broke him. And I’ll do the same thing in front of the world when we fight for that welterweight championship, Tyron Woodley.”

Covington seems dead set on his plans to step in and fight Woodley for the title, that he already has a date and venue in mind.

“January makes sense. They’re doing a UFC (event) in St. Louis, his hometown, so let’s see if he can defend the home turf,” Covington said.

“I’m the money fight for you, Tyron Woodley. I’m number three, you already fought number one and number two. I’m next in line, stop making excuses.”

The UFC’s Fight Night event in St. Louis is scheduled for January 14th. No fights for the card have been announced as of this posting.