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Colby Covington claims Khabib Nurmagomedov avoided welterweight because of him: ‘I would’ve walked him down’

Former interim UFC welterweight champion, Colby Covington has claimed that former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov avoided a long-speculated move to the 170lbs division – due to his own presence at the weight class. Covington, the current #2 ranked welterweight contender, has yet to return to active competition since March of last year, defeating arch-rival, […]

Covington, the current #2 ranked welterweight contender, has yet to return to active competition since March of last year, defeating arch-rival, Jorge Masvidal in a one-sided unanimous decision victory in the main event of UFC 272.

As for Khabib, the undefeated, 29-0 former undisputed lightweight champion, called time on his own mixed martial arts career back in October 2020, bowing out of the sport following a successful lightweight title unification win against former interim champion, Justin Gaethje.

Colby Covington claimed his presence swayed Khabib Nurmagomedov from a welterweight move

Linked with a move to the welterweight ranks following his ascension to the throne back in 2018, Khabib never made the move to 170lbs. And Clovis native, Covington has theorised that his rise through the ranks during Khabib’s title run at lightweight forced the Dagestan native against a weight class leap.

“He (Khabib Nurmagomedov) never came to 170 [pounds], because the man’s here,” Colby Covington said during an interview with MyMMANews. “He doesn’t wanna fight the man. He knew the man that had a great style for him, the guy that was way more well-rounded, could stuff his takedowns, being in his face and punch, and putting volume on him, and doesn’t break under cardio.”

“Like, that’s what I do best,” Colby Covington explained. “I would’ve walked him down. So, him and (Islam) Makhachev need to shut their f*cking mouths. They’re all talk and no walk unlike myself.”

Arriving in London last week as an official backup to the UFC 286 welterweight title headliner between champion, Leon Edwards, and past opponent, Kamaru Usman, Covington successfully made weight on Friday, however, his services were not required by the promotion on short-notice.

However, following the event, UFC president, Dana White, confirmed how Covington would be fighting Edwards for the undisputed welterweight championship next – with the latter suggesting a July return at UFC 290 during International Fight Week.

Conor McGregor unleashes tirade on 5 top MMA coaches in late night tirade: ‘Javier Mendez is a fat a*se lick’

Former undisputed UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, Conor McGregor unleashed an expletive-filled tirade on his official Twitter account overnight – taking aim at five prominent mixed martial arts head coaches, and claiming himself and his head coach, John Kavanagh of Straight Blast Gym, had created a system to defeat the likes of past-foe, Khabib Nurmagomedov. […]

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion, is expected to return to welterweight waters in his UFC comeback later this year.

Finishing filming on The Ultimate Fighter 31 earlier this month, McGregor featured as an opposing head coach on the reality television show against the #5 ranked challenger, Michael Chandler – with the duo expected to fight later this year under the UFC banner.

Conor McGregor provides update on training camp location

Providing an update on his return to camp, McGregor claimed he and his team would be setting up shop in Big Bear, California.

We will commence camp in big bear shortly.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 22, 2023

Sharing a slew of tweets last night from his official Twitter account, McGregor took aim at the likes of Trevor Wittman, Javier Mendez, and Firas Zahabi, as well as once more pointing to the above-mentioned, Nurmagomedov’s retirement during a back-and-forth with the Russian’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz.

“Firaz Zihabi (sic) is a little douchebag,” Conor McGregor tweeted. “Trevor Wittman is a pad man. Javier Mendez is a fat a*se lick kick boxer. Mike Brown is a smelly pr*ck. Greg Jackson got caught up, the system of coach [John] Kavanagh is now shining thru (sic). In years to come, the world will know what we have been at. It’s beginning to bare fruit. If you want to train, train at SBG Ireland with Kav, and me. We are a fight factory akin to butter churning.”

“Hey, sh*t stain on the game,” Conor McGregor replied to Ali Abdelaziz. “I’m talking as of now it is beginning to bare fruit. We bat their system of fighting on TUF. It’s locked down. It’s no wonder sh*t pants {Khabib Nurmagomedov} scurried. There’s no competing now. The head of the style is too fat a b*tch and afraid to compete again. So we win. You can’t compete with us. Watching and witness, you rat b*stard.”

Sidelined since July 2021, McGregor most recently headlined UFC 264 against Dustin Poirier, fracturing his left tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO defeat.

Justin Gaethje calls for Charles Oliveira rematch next following UFC 286 win: ‘I fought like a complete idiot’

Former interim UFC lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje has called for a rematch with either former undisputed champion, Charles Oliveira, or fellow former interim division titleholder, Dustin Poirier in his Octagon return – claiming he fought like a “complete idiot” during his title outing with the Brazilian. Gaethje, the current #3 ranked lightweight contender, co-headlined UFC […]

Gaethje, the current #3 ranked lightweight contender, co-headlined UFC 288 last weekend in London, England – returning to the winner’s enclosure with a majority decision win over Tiger Muay Thai striker, Rafael Fiziev.

Battling with the striking expert over the course of three rounds, Gaethje managed to turn around a deficit with an impressive third round display against Fiziev – bloodying the #6 ranked challenger with a barrage of shots on the feet.

Prior to his win over Fiziev, the ONX Labs staple and Trevor Wittman student challenged for undisputed lightweight championship honors against the above-mentioned, Oliviera back in May of last year.

Starting brightly against the Sao Paulo native, Gaethje landed multiple knockdowns on Oliveira – before he was submitted by the promotion’s most prolific submission ace with a first round rear-naked choke.

Justin Gaethje eyes future rematch with Charles Oliveira

Weighing up his future fighting plans off the back of his win over Fiziev, Gaethje admitted that he would rather not fight friend, Beneil Dariush in the future – but welcomed a pair of rematches against either Oliveira, or Poirier next.

“The loser of the (Charles) Oliveira and (Beneil) Dariush fight – I’d rather not fight Dariush – I love that dude,” Justin Gaethje told assembled reporters following UFC 286. “I think he’s going to beat Oliveira.”

“I fought like a complete idiot when I fought Oliveira, so I’d love to have that fight back,” Justin Gaethje explained. “But Dustin (Poirier) is just as good an option.”

Minting himself as the interim lightweight champion back in May 2020, Gaethje defeated former interim gold holder, Tony Ferguson with an eventual fifth round knockout.

Set for his own Octagon return in May, Oliveira is slated to co-headline UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey — taking on Kings MMA staple, Beneil Dariush over the course of three rounds in a potential title-eliminator.

Francis Ngannou reveals Kamaru Usman did not train ‘Properly’ for UFC 286 title fight due to host of injuries

Former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has revealed that a host of injuries suffered in the lead-up to last weekend’s UFC 286 championship headliner, prevented former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman from “properly” training for his trilogy rubber match with Leon Edwards. Headlining UFC 286 last Saturday night at The o2 Arena, Usman suffered a […]

Headlining UFC 286 last Saturday night at The o2 Arena, Usman suffered a second consecutive loss to Birmingham native, Edwards, dropping a close, majority decision defeat to the incumbent welterweight kingpin.

Back in August of last year in Salt Lake City, Utah – Usman dropped both his undisputed crown and pound-for-pound number one status, after suffering a fifth round high kick knockout loss to Edwards at the Vivint Arena.

As for Francis Ngannou, the former undisputed heavyweight titleholder was stripped of his status as division champion back in January of this year, as well as booted from the organization after his contractual obligations with the UFC ended in December of last year.

Francis Ngannou shares some insight into Kamaru Usman’s camp ahead of UFC 286

A close friend of fellow former African champion, Usman, Ngannou took to his official YouTube channel where he reflected on the Auchi native’s decision defeat to Edwards – claiming the former was unable to train sufficiently for his trilogy rubber match, after suffering from injuries.

“Usually, when people get knocked out, they don’t come back in the fight,” Francis Ngannou said following UFC 286. “Like, they will be like wobbly, he (Kamaru Usman) was there before tonight, which is like a lot of step back. I know that he didn’t train [for the fight] – he didn’t have to train properly because of a lot of injuries, but he was there.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Welcoming the opportunity to fight Edwards for a fourth time in the future, Usman has been offered a route back to the welterweight title by former two-time division championship challenger, Stephen Thompson – who admitted he would consider fighting the Nigerian as he targets a July Octagon comeback himself.

Colby Covington warns Leon Edwards he will be stripped of UFC title if he refuses to fight him: ‘He’s a nobody’

Former interim UFC welterweight titleholder, Colby Covington has warned undisputed division champion, Leon Edwards against rejecting a summer fight with him next – claiming the Birmingham native will be stripped of his title as a result. Covington, the current #2 ranked division contender, has yet to feature under the UFC banner since March of last […]

Covington, the current #2 ranked division contender, has yet to feature under the UFC banner since March of last year, defeating former American Top Team training partner, Jorge Masvidal in a one-sided, unanimous decision victory at UFC 273.

As for Edwards, the Team Renegade BJJ & MMA staple headlined UFC 286 last weekend in London, England – defeating common-foe, Kamaru Usman in the duo’s trilogy rubber match – securing a close, majority decision victory.

On Friday during fight week, Clovis native, Colby Covington took to the scales – to the surprise of many, successfully weighing in as an official backup fighter to the welterweight headliner.

And according to UFC president, Dana White, the outspoken contender will fight for undisputed gold against Edwards next – potentially as soon as July.

Colby Covington issues a stark title warning to Leon Edwards

Questioning how Covington – who has been sidelined for over a year, deserves a shot at welterweight gold, Edwards has been described as a “nobody” by the former interim champion, who warned him against refusing to fight him next.

“He (Leon Edwards) get stripped [if he doesn’t take the fight],” Colby Covington told MMA Fighting during a recent interview. “He will get stripped. He’s not the draw in this division, I’m the draw. Look at the numbers from over the weekend, I didn’t even fight and my numbers towered over the main event – those f*ckin’ nobodies. Leon Scott (sic) and Marty Fakenewsman (sic), nobody wants to see those guys everything, there’s no personality, no charisma. Same thing with Marty, he needs a belt to stay relevant.”

“For Leon to sit there and act like he’s Conor McGregor – you’re not Conor McGregor, bro. You don’t get to call the shots. You’re a nobody, dude.”

Report – Ex-ONE Championship title challenger Iuri Lapicus dies in motorcycle crash

Iuri Lapicus, who fought for MMA promotion ONE Championship, has sadly passed away following a motorcycle crash in Milan last week. “The ONE Championship team is heartbroken over the tragic passing of Iuri Lapicus,” the promotion said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones at this difficult time.” The […]

Iuri Lapicus, who fought for MMA promotion ONE Championship, has sadly passed away following a motorcycle crash in Milan last week.

“The ONE Championship team is heartbroken over the tragic passing of Iuri Lapicus,” the promotion said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones at this difficult time.”

The incident was first reported by Milano Today, who said Iuri Lapicus was forced into a coma after striking a car driven by a 69-year-old woman. He was airlifted to a Milan hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday.

Iuri Lapicus was a Standout in ONE Championship

Iuri Lapicus, a 27-year-old, two-division fighter, started his career with a 14-fight unbeaten streak. The Moldavon-born standout competed at both lightweight and middleweight. He fought former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez at ONE at TNT 1 in April 2021, a fight that was deemed a no-contest due to illegal head strikes.

The former title challenger also fought current two-division champion Christian Lee. He holds a victory over former featherweight titleholder Marat Gafurov.

Iuri Lapicus (14-2-1 NC) most recently competed in a losing effort against Zebaztian Kadestam at ONE Fight Night 1 last August.