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Colby Covington welcomes clash with Belal Muhammad in UFC return: ‘I would be super intrigued by that fight’

Amid continued links to a UFC 303 return at the end of June in a clash with the unbeaten,…

Amid continued links to a UFC 303 return at the end of June in a clash with the unbeaten, Ian Garry, former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington has instead switched lanes and now wants to fight surging contender, Belal Muhammad in a five round title eliminator.

Covington, a former interim welterweight gold holder and the current number four ranked division contender, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 296 back in December of last year.

Colby Covington claims he's still the best welterweight on earth despite loss at UFC 296 — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

And failing in his third attempt to become an undisputed champion, Clovis native, Covington suffered a one-sided unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards – a bout he hopes to avenge in the future.

Colby Covington claims he suffered fractured foot 30 seconds into UFC 296 fight I have pictures on my phone — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

As for Muhammad, the streaking Illinois native has been out of action since his short-notice decision win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 back in May of last year, earning him the number two rank in the division.

Colby Covington eyes fight with Belal Muhammad

And amid calls from Portmarnock native, Garry that Covington is avoiding a clash with him – as recent at UFC 301 last weekend, the former has switched his focus to a fight with the above-mentioned, Muhammad.

“Maybe this kid (Belal) Muhammad, who’s been talking a lot,” Colby Covington told The Rush during a recent interview. “He’s up there in the rankings above me. So, I think if I beat that guy, it gets me right back to a title fight. I don’t know, anybody. I could fight Joe Schom off the street and I’m going to be get the same paycheck. It’s going to be a high-level fight. Every time I get on the mic you know I’m going to sell that sh*t to the moon.”

“In a five round fight – I would be super intrigued with that fight,” Colby Covington explained. ‘I always told them [the UFC] I want this guy in a main event. I don’t think he can last. His cardio doesn’t look that good. His last fight he fought Burns at 185 [pounds] on one weeks’ notice, and I thought Burns won the fight. He landed more strikes. …I think he’s going to get exposed soon. He doesn’t have good cardio, and he’s not as good as everybody thinks he is.”

Belal Muhammad set to serve as backup fighter to Leon Edwards and Colby Covington at UFC 296 — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

And while calling for a pairing with Muhammad, the streaking number two ranked contender has been heavily linked with a return as soon as July, in a title fight rematch against the above-mentioned Edwards at UFC 304 in Manchester.

Who wins in a future showdown: Belal Muhammad or Colby Covington?

Covington Finally Remembered The Name

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Colby Covington wants nothing to do with Ian Garry, claiming he’s a “nobody.”
Covington then told “The Rush” podcast he would fight “anybody” because he’s going to get the same payche…

UFC 296: Edwards v Covington — Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Colby Covington wants nothing to do with Ian Garry, claiming he’s a “nobody.”

Covington then told “The Rush” podcast he would fight “anybody” because he’s going to get the same paycheck either way. I guess “Chaos” lost track of his excuses, or maybe he just can’t make up his mind when it comes to his fighting future.

Covington is currently 0-3 in welterweight title fights.

“Maybe this kid (Belal) Muhammad, who’s been talking a lot,” Covington said. “He’s up there in the rankings above me. So, I think if I beat that guy, it gets me right back to a title fight. I don’t know, anybody. I could fight Joe Schmo off the street and I’m going to get the same paycheck. It’s going to be a high-level fight. Every time I get on the mic you know I’m going to sell that sh*t to the moon.”

Muhammad is expected to battle Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in Manchester.

“Chaos” is also expressing interest in a potential Khamzat Chimaev fight, which is convenient timing, now that “Borz” has moved up to middleweight and booked a five-round headliner against former 185-pound champion Robert Whittaker.

“In a five-round fight, I would be super intrigued by that fight,” Covington said. “I always told them I want this guy in a main event. I don’t think he can last. His cardio doesn’t look that good. His last fight he fought Usman at 185 on one weeks’ notice, and I thought Usman won the fight. He landed more strikes. He came out the first round, he wrestled him, and he didn’t do any damage. The second and third rounds, he was just coasting to a victory. I think he’s going to get exposed soon. He doesn’t have good cardio, and he’s not as good as everybody thinks he is.”

Covington, 36, has dropped three of his last five but remains ranked No. 4 at 170 pounds.

Covington Finally Remembered The Name

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Colby Covington wants nothing to do with Ian Garry, claiming he’s a “nobody.”

Covington is currently 0-3 in welterweight title fights.

Muhammad is expected to battle Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in Manchester.

Covington, 36, has dropped three of his last five but remains ranked No. 4 at 170 pounds.

Video – Islam Makhachev smashes punching machine with massive power ahead of UFC 302 return fight

Islam Makhachev showed off his striking power as he hit the punching machine ahead of his UFC 302 title…

Islam Makhachev showed off his striking power as he hit the punching machine ahead of his UFC 302 title defense against Dustin Poirier.

Although Makhachev is known for his wrestling and strength on the ground, he also has power in his hands and feet, as we saw against Alexander Volkanovski.

Ahead of his upcoming fight, Islam Makhachev hit a punching machine and it was impressive, as he finished with a score of 973, which was impressive for a lightweight.

It was impressive from Makhachev as he showed off his striking power, which fans don’t get to see all that often in his fights.

Islam Makhachev calls Dustin Poirier an easy fight

Heading into his UFC 302 title defense, Islam Makhachev is a sizeable betting favorite to defeat Dustin Poirier.

Not only does Makhachev expect to beat Poirier to defend his belt, but he says he will make it look easy as he calls Poirier an easy fight.

“Dustin, he is a warrior, legend – he has more than everybody experience in this sport,” Islam Makhachev told TMZ. “But his problem is his style. That’s the one problem this guy has. His weak point is wrestling and grappling, and I have the key for the easy fight. And if I follow the plan, I can beat him easy. My style and Khabib’s style, it’s worst style for Dustin. People who can can take him down, hold him there, it always gives him problems.”

“Dustin is a good opponent because Oliveira, Arman, I beat these guys already,” Makhachev added. “My dream fight for this division is Gaethje, but he lose already. Right now in our weight, we just have Dustin because Arman said no, Oliveira lose, Gaethje lose. We don’t have someone.”

If Makhachev does beat Poirier with ease, it’s uncertain who will be next for him.

Jan Blachowicz eyes rematch with Alex Pereira after shoulder surgery return: ‘I believe I won this first fight’

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz is looking to get a rematch with Alex Pereira once he returns….

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz is looking to get a rematch with Alex Pereira once he returns.

Blachowicz is currently rehabbing his shoulders after undergoing double shoulder surgery. The Pole is looking to return to Octagon later this year and when he does, he believes he should get a rematch against Pereira.

[Alex] is not better fighter than me, and I believe that I deserve the rematch, I prove when he fight against me, I still believe that I won this fight. Referee see different scores but I believe that I won this fight against him and I believe that I deserve for the rematch. He knocked out everybody, not me, so when I come back I believe I can fight against him one more time. I think my next fight will be at the end of the year,” Jan Blachowicz said to Fanatics View.

Blachowicz and Pereira fought back at UFC 291 last July and it was the Brazilian who won a split decision. However, it was a close fight as Blachowicz was able to use his wrestling to control Pereira, but the judges thought the Brazilian did enough to get the win.

Jan Blachowicz Wasn’t Worried Surgery Would Be A Career Ender

Even though Jan Blachowicz is 41 years old, he didn’t think having double shoulder surgery would be a career-ender.

Jan Blachowicz claims he was robbed by judges in decision loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 291 — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger – USA TODAY Sports

Instead, Blachowicz says he only did the surgery so he can continue his fighting career, as he still believes he has a few more fights left in him.

“No. If I would not finish my career I would not do this surgery. In normal life, I can do almost everything. So, if I want to finish my career, I will not do this, but I want to fight, I want to make a couple more fights which is why I did this surgery,” Blachowicz added.

Alex Pereira distances himself from fight with Magomed Ankalaev he's going to have to wait — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Blachowicz is 29-10-1 as a pro and is the former UFC light heavyweight champion.

Blachowicz Demands Pereira Rematch For Dec. Return

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Jan Blachowicz is currently recovering from double shoulder surgery.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion expects to make his Octagon return at the end of the year and…

UFC 291: Poirier v Gaethje 2 — Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Jan Blachowicz is currently recovering from double shoulder surgery.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion expects to make his Octagon return at the end of the year and when he does, the power-punching Pole is hoping for a rematch against current 205-pound titleholder Alex Pereira.

“Every day is a little bit better, but still I need more time to recover and to fix correctly, so I think my next fight will be at the end of the year, not earlier,” Blachowicz told Fanatics View. “For sure not earlier. I would like to [fight in November or December]. When my physio say, ‘Okay Jan, you can go to the gym and do hard sparring session,’ and then I will know everything, when I can call to UFC and tell them, ‘Okay I will be ready at this time,’ or maybe a little bit later.”

Pereira defeated Blachowicz by split decision at UFC 291.

“He is not better fighter than me, and I believe that I deserve the rematch,” Blachowicz continued. “I prove when he fight against me, I still believe that I won this fight. Referee see different scores but I believe that I won this fight against him and I believe that I deserve for the rematch. He knocked out everybody, not me. When I come back, I believe that I can fight against him one more time.”

Pereira is expected to fight either Jiri Prochazka or Magomed Ankalaev next.

“I want to see fight Pereira against Ankalaev because (Ankalaev) is the hardest opponent for (Pereira) right now because I’m not in the division because I’m out (with injury) for a couple more months,” Blachowicz said. “So (Ankalaev) is the most dangerous fight for (Pereira). I would like to see this fight and then after this fight, he can go to heavyweight, but when I come back to fighting, he has to give me the rematch.”

A rematch for the belt, as well as for this “slimy” callout.