Tag: Colby Covington

Belal Muhammad Trolls Colby Covington For Refusing To Fight Him

Belal Muhammad has taken to social media in an attempt to bait top-ranked welterweight Colby Covington into an Octagon encounter. Muhammad recently took to his Instagram account to share a photoshopped image of himself chasing down Covington with a fight contract, while “Chaos” runs off holding a teddy bear. Check out the image here below:…

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Belal Muhammad has taken to social media in an attempt to bait top-ranked welterweight Colby Covington into an Octagon encounter.

Muhammad recently took to his Instagram account to share a photoshopped image of himself chasing down Covington with a fight contract, while “Chaos” runs off holding a teddy bear. Check out the image here below:

A potential pairing of Muhammad and Covington is certainly possible. Muhammad is on a seven-fight win streak, with one No Contest in between due to an eye poke stopping the fight. Muhammad has racked up wins against the likes of Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson, and Demian Maia. Currently the No. 5-ranked 170-pounder in the UFC, Muhammad is looking to take another big leap towards title contention.

With that being said, what opponent would be a better stepping stone to the title other than Colby Covington? Covington is currently the No. 1-ranked fighter at 170 pounds, as his only losses in the UFC come to the current champion, Kamaru Usman.

Covington has earned wins against names such as Demian Maia, Rafael dos Anjos, Robbie Lawler, Tyron Woodley, and Jorge Masvidal. He has also challenged Usman twice, both times putting on incredibly close bouts with the champion, but coming up just short in each.

His last opportunity against Usman came in November of last year, so Covington will likely need to string together a few more wins before earning a third shot at “The Nigerian Nightmare.” A potential win over a fellow top-ranked welterweight in Muhammad could certainly be just what he needs.

Do you think Covington and Muhammad will be matched up next? Who do you think wins the potential matchup? Let us know in the comments!

Continue Reading Belal Muhammad Trolls Colby Covington For Refusing To Fight Him at MMA News.

Sonnen Suggests Covington Won’t Accept Chimaev Fight

Chael Sonnen doesn’t believe welterweight star Colby Covington will accept a much-discussed fight against rising contender Khamzat Chimaev. At UFC 273 earlier this month, Chimaev cemented his status as a legitimate contender at 170 pounds. Having breezed past John Phillips, Rhys McKee, Gerald Meerschaert, and Li Jingliang, “Borz” was presented with a steep increase in…

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Chael Sonnen doesn’t believe welterweight star Colby Covington will accept a much-discussed fight against rising contender Khamzat Chimaev.

At UFC 273 earlier this month, Chimaev cemented his status as a legitimate contender at 170 pounds. Having breezed past John Phillips, Rhys McKee, Gerald Meerschaert, and Li Jingliang, “Borz” was presented with a steep increase in competition at the April 9 pay-per-view.

Against Gilbert Burns, a former title challenger and then-#2 contender, Chimaev was pushed to the limit in a memorable war. Despite some adversity, the Chechen-born Swede earned a victory on the scorecards, securing an eight-place rise to #3 on the welterweight ladder.

With his fifth triumph in the Octagon, it appeared Chimaev had set up a collision with top contender Colby Covington. Prior to the event, UFC President Dana White suggested that the victor of the UFC 273 bout between “Borz” and “Durinho” would likely meet “Chaos” in the main event of the next ABC card.

While Chimaev has appeared more than willing to share the cage with the former interim champion, there’s been no response from Covington. According to former two-division title challenger Sonnen, that’s for good reason.

During a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, the 45-year-old MMA analyst doubted the chances of Covington accepting a fight in which his opponent could secure a title shot while he couldn’t.

“I don’t think they have that match. I don’t think they’ve ever had that match (done). I don’t even think they’ve spoken to Colby about the match,” said Sonnen. “Dana just said, ‘This is the direction we’re going.’ It was meant to be a compliment to Colby. Dana was trying to say, ‘Covington, who’s a star, I’m going to take my star and I’m gonna put him in the main event. Whoever wins between Burns and Chimaev is going to feed into that main event.’ It was meant to be something very sweet for Colby.

“I was just predicting, much like Belal (Muhammad), that’s not how Colby’s hearing it. That’s not how Colby wants to get this done,” Sonnen continued. “I also wasn’t sold on the idea that the organization was willing to make that a number one contender’s match…

“My gut feeling is that the organization would lean towards the idea that if Chimaev wins, Chimaev would fight for the championship. Knowing Colby the way I do, that’s going to insult him, and it’s just not going to work.”

Sonnen & Muhammad On The Same Page With Covington

With that view in mind, Sonnen credited Belal Muhammad for inserting himself in the picture following his victory over Vicente Luque at UFC Vegas 51. The former middleweight and light heavyweight believes a title eliminator between “Remember The Name” and Chimaev is much more likely.

“In his last moments on the worldwide leader, with the biggest audience he’s going to have, that he wants to influence, he inserts himself in a fight that’s already done. That’s what we were led to believe,” said Sonnen. “Now, all of a sudden, Belal came out… He just came out and said, ‘I think I’m going to be fighting Chimaev next. I don’t think Colby is going to do that match.’ I think he’s right.

“I think Belal is going to get that fight. And now, all of a sudden, it does become a number one contender’s match for both guys. I can see that, it’s very different,” added Sonnen. “As much as you would like to see Chimaev vs. Colby… If it becomes Chimaev vs. Muhammad, that means it’s gonna become Colby vs. Burns. You got any problem with those matchups?”

In the April 16 UFC Fight Night main event, Muhammad extended his unbeaten streak to eight by avenging a past loss to Luque. With the win, the Chicago native has firmly placed himself in the championship conversation.

If Sonnen’s prediction comes true, Muhammad could well have the chance to secure his first title shot by sharing the cage with Chimaev in the next ABC headliner.

Do you agree with Chael Sonnen? Is Colby Covington unlikely to accept a fight against Khamzat Chimaev?

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Ranking the 4 Best Opponents for Colby Covington’s Next Fight

It’s been official for a little while now. If Colby Covington isn’t your pick for the biggest heel on the UFC roster, you’re either overthinking or underthinking , though only the former seems fully realistic…

It’s been official for a little while now. If Colby Covington isn’t your pick for the biggest heel on the UFC roster, you’re either overthinking or underthinking , though only the former seems fully realistic…

Jorge Masvidal Claims He Was “F—king Irate” With Colby Covington Loss

Jorge MasvidalJorge Masvidal has made an appearance on the IMPAULSIVE podcast revealing his thoughts on UFC 272 and the altercation that followed. Gamebred is currently dealing with an alleged assault case on Covington after attacking him whilst he was out to dinner following on from their matchup. Masvidal revealed the disappointment he felt in himself whilst […]

Jorge Masvidal

Jorge Masvidal has made an appearance on the IMPAULSIVE podcast revealing his thoughts on UFC 272 and the altercation that followed.

Gamebred is currently dealing with an alleged assault case on Covington after attacking him whilst he was out to dinner following on from their matchup. Masvidal revealed the disappointment he felt in himself whilst speaking on the show.

“I was f—king irate,” Masvidal told the IMPAULSIVE podcast “I was upset, and I just like to be in isolation when I get like that. It’s better for me. Take a couple days to figure it out and if I have a problem and I can’t figure it out, f—k, then it’s a real problem. I could fail at something, but if I could find a way to fix it, then I can go back and address it again, then I can sleep with peace at night. So that’s what I did — five, six days in that nowhere land, like, ‘F—k,’ and then I came up with a plan, and now I’m gonna execute that plan.”

Ultimately Colby Covington would get the better of Jorge Masvidal over the five rounds and claim a unanimous decision victory after applying a wrestling-heavy approach.

Jorge Masvidal New Training Approach

There was a major gap in the wrestling abilities between the pair, something that Jorge Masvidal hopes to remove over through the upcoming weeks.

“I’m gonna go spend some time in Pennsylvania, wrestle in the morning, wrestle at night, wrestle in the morning, wrestle at night, and stay doing that, because I don’t feel like I have to work on my boxing — not to be cocky — or my kicking,” Masvidal said. “It’s there any time. I’ve just got to sharpen it up before fights. So one of my main plans right now is go wrestle day and night and see what comes out of it.

“I’m not even thinking that far yet,” he concluded. “I’m just gonna go sharpen these tools. Just wrestle, wrestle and f—k see what comes out of it. And once I feel I’ve improved, I’ve leveled up, I’ve f—king hit a Super Saiyan on everybody, we’ll find out who I’m gonna f—king murder.” (Transcribed by MMAMania).

Is it too late for Jorge Masvidal to make significant improvements in his career?

Darren Till Picks Khamzat Chimaev To KO Colby Covington: ‘He’s Got So Much Power’

Khamzat ChimaevWith the UFC exploring the possibility of booking a potential welterweight title-eliminator between former interim champion, Colby Covington, and the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev – recent training partner of Chimaev, Darren Till has picked the latter to stop Covington with strikes should they share the Octagon with each other.  Till, who recently began training with the […]

Khamzat Chimaev

With the UFC exploring the possibility of booking a potential welterweight title-eliminator between former interim champion, Colby Covington, and the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev – recent training partner of Chimaev, Darren Till has picked the latter to stop Covington with strikes should they share the Octagon with each other. 

Till, who recently began training with the now-11-0 Chimaev earlier this year at AllStars MMA in Sweden – cornered the Chechen-born finisher for his hard-fought unanimous decision win over one-time title challenger, Gilbert Burns in a massive main card bout at UFC 273 earlier this month. 

The Liverpool striker himself, however, has been out of action since September of last year where he headlined UFC Vegas 36 against Derek Brunson in an eventual third round rear-naked choke defeat.

For Khamzat Chimaev, the unanimous judging win over Burns saw him promoted to the #3 rank in the official welterweight pile, beneath just Leon Edwards and the above mentioned, Covington.

Khamzat Chimaev has since been linked with a showdown against Colby Covington

Both prior and following Chimaev’s win over Burns – UFC president, Dana White confirmed that he would be interested in booking a title-eliminator between Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington in the future – potentially on an upcoming ABC broadcasted card.

Sharing his thoughts on a potential bout between Chimaev and Clovis native, Covington, Team Kaobon staple, Till predicted a knockout win for his new training partner.

“I would like to see him (Khamzat Chimaev) fight Colby (Covington) in a five round main event, and I think that’s the best thing for both guys,” Darren Till said during a recent interview with Submission Radio. “I think Khamzat can knock him out. I don’t think Colby’s felt power like Khamzat. Like, I’ve changed my opinion a bit because Colby’s a good fighter, but I just don’t see who he’s fighting who’s at the top of the level right now.”

“Obviously (Kamaru) Usman, but like, there’s no one (else),” Darren Till explained. “Khamzat’s obviously come up real quick. I just think Khamzat’s got so much power and edge over him. Listen, Colby’s a terrific fighter. He’s phenomenal, but I see the win there with Khamzat, and I’d love to see that to get him ready for the title for Usman.” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)

Improving to 5-0 in the UFC with his unanimous decision win over Burns, Chimaev, an alum of Brave CF – added the Niteroi veteran to a run of successes agaisnt Li Jingliang, Gerald Meerschaert, Rhys McKee, and in his UFC bow – John Philips. 

Muhammad: Poirier & Adesanya Callouts Prove Covington Isn’t Hungry

UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad thinks Colby Covington’s priorities aren’t straight when it comes to his recent callouts. Muhammad will face rising contender Vicente Luque in a UFC Fight Night headliner on April 16. He has been on a roll as of late with wins over the likes of former title challengers Stephen Thompson and…

Continue Reading Muhammad: Poirier & Adesanya Callouts Prove Covington Isn’t Hungry at MMA News.

UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad thinks Colby Covington’s priorities aren’t straight when it comes to his recent callouts.

Muhammad will face rising contender Vicente Luque in a UFC Fight Night headliner on April 16. He has been on a roll as of late with wins over the likes of former title challengers Stephen Thompson and Demian Maia.

Following Covington’s infamous Brazil rant following his win over Demian Maia, Muhammad promised to put Covington in the ICU for his comments. Covington most recently defeated Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272 and is seeking a third go-around with Kamaru Usman.

During a recent interview with YouTuber AbzTalks, Muhammad explained why a fight with Covington would make a lot of sense with a win.

“I think the build-up to that one would be huge, just with the talking back-and-forth,” Muhammad said. “But Colby is one of those guys that’s gonna sit on the sidelines and think that he’s a money fight—wait for the easier road back to the title. Like, alright, you fought Masvidal coming off two losses, and he came off a big knockout. It’s not like you sat there and beat somebody coming off a win or a win streak. Then you go back even before that, who’d you beat? Woodley, another guy off a losing streak. Who have you beaten that makes me think you need another chance at a title shot?

Belal Muhammad
Belal Muhammad (Image Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LlC)

“Cause you had two close matches with Usman? Give somebody else the Usman match. I think I’ll beat Usman… (Covington vs. Usman 3) doesn’t really make sense to me cause he hasn’t beaten anyone else that’s been in the rankings like that,” Muhammad continued. “Beat a guy like Gilbert Burns, beat a guy like Khamzat, beat a guy like me… He’s sitting their calling out Dustin Poirier, a ’55er; calling out Nate Diaz; sitting there calling out Israel Adesanya, trying to go straight up to the title shot. Like, those things tell me that he ain’t really that hungry.”

Covington called out another former American Top Team teammate, Dustin Poirier, following his win over Masvidal. He’s also hinted at potentially moving up to middleweight to challenge Israel Adesanya for the belt, but Muhammad seems to be a willing opponent if he intends to continue at welterweight.

Muhammad has a massive opportunity to earn another signature win en route to a potential title shot. If he can get past Luque this weekend, a fight with Covington could ensure his path to fighting for the belt.

Would you want to see Belal Muhammad vs. Colby Covington if Muhammad beats Vicente Luque?

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