Tag: UFC 296

Colby Covington refuses to fight ‘Racist’ Belal Muhammad after UFC 296: ‘It’s not my fault that he’s not a star’

Colby Covington refuses to fight racist Belal Muhammad after UFC 296 he's not a starAhead of his incoming welterweight title fight with Leon Edwards at UFC 296 this weekend, former interim gold holder,…

Colby Covington refuses to fight racist Belal Muhammad after UFC 296 he's not a star

Ahead of his incoming welterweight title fight with Leon Edwards at UFC 296 this weekend, former interim gold holder, Colby Covington claims he will not fight Belal Muhammad following his championship fight return this weekend – labelling the surging contender as a “racist”.

Covington, the current number three ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since he featured against former two-time championship chaser, Jorge Masvidal back in March of last year, landing a one-sided unanimous decision win over his former training partner in the pair’s long-anticipated pairing. 

As for Muhammad, the current number two rated challenger has enjoyed a splendid 10-fight winning streak since 2019, most recently defeating one-time title challenger, Gilbert Burns back in May in Newark, New Jersey in the co-main event of UFC 288 over the course of five rounds. 

Colby Covington refuses to fight Belal Muhammad after UFC 296

And ramping up his rivalry with the surging, Muhammad, Covington, who sported a Donald Trump-themed suit to yesterday’s media day ahead of UFC 296, described the former as a “racist” – before shutting down any notion of a future title showcase between the two.

“No, who wants to fight a racist?” Colby Covington told assembled media of Belal Muhammad ahead of UFC 296. “I mean, could you imagine if I said someone earned something off of the color of their skin? That’s absolutely despicable, it’s disgusting. That guy hasn’t deserved anything. I mean, it’s not my fault that he’s not a star. You have to make yourself a star.”

“I’m the one that went out there and di the things that needed to be done to become a superstar like I have,” Colby Covington explained. “What has he done? He hasn’t done anything. He’s out there race baiting. Saying, oh, he only earned this because of the color of his skin, it’s white privilege. Are you f*cking kidding me, dude? He’s not getting a title shot. There will be no title shot for him.” 

Would you like to see Colby Covington fight Belal Muhammad after UFC 296?

Breaking – Ian Garry withdraws from uFC 296 return amid battle with flu, fight with vicente Luque axed from card

Ian Garry withdraws from UFC 296 amid battle with the flu fight with Vicente Luque cancelledUndefeated welterweight contender, Ian Garry is officially out of his scheduled main card clash with Brazilian-American, Vicente Luque at…

Ian Garry withdraws from UFC 296 amid battle with the flu fight with Vicente Luque cancelled

Undefeated welterweight contender, Ian Garry is officially out of his scheduled main card clash with Brazilian-American, Vicente Luque at UFC 296 this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the Portmarnock striker reportedly battling with pneumonia and flu like symptoms ahead of the event.

Garry, the current number ten ranked welterweight contender, was scheduled to make his fourth Octagon walk of the year at this weekend’s pay-per-view event in ‘Sin City’ – taking on Kill Cliff FC training partner, Luque in a high-stakes matchup at 170 pounds.

Skirting media day obligations last night at the UFC Apex facility, Garry was expected to attend tonight’s press conference ahead of the slated UFC 296 card on Saturday.

Ian Garry forced from UFC 296 return this weekend

However, UFC CEO, Dana White has now confirmed that Garry will not be featuring against Luque at UFC 296 this weekend, with the 25-year-old battling with pneumonia ahead of the bout, with Luque removed from the card entirely with a replacement fighter unavailable on such short-notice.

“Alright, guys, I know it’s out there – there’s some speculation that Ian Garry and (Vicente) Luque is off, it is true,” Dana White said on his official X account in a video posted. “Ian Garry started with the flu, that turned into pneumonia, so that fight is off and is not happening. It is true.” 

Last featuring at UFC 292 back in August of this year, Garry turned in his thirteenth straight professional victory, with the former Cage Warriors welterweight champion defeating division stalwart, Neil Magny in a one-sided unanimous decision victory. 

Garry himself has since addressed his withdrawal from the bout, revealing he wants to fight, however, was removed from the event by medical staff.

“Spoke to Ian Garry moments ago,” Ariel Helwani posted. “I have pneumonia. They tried to help me. I the end, UFC doctor said there’s no chance I can fight. The UFC doctor made the call. This annoys me more than anyone. I want to fight. It’s my favorite thing to do.” 

Who do you want to see Ian Garry fight in his return next year?

Tony Ferguson warns ‘Sensitive’ Paddy Pimblett ahead of UFC 296: ‘He’s gonna run out of that cage back to mommy’

Tony Ferguson warns sensitive Paddy Pimblett will run back to mommy after UFC 296 fightFormer interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson claims he’s supremely confident of snapping his lengthy six-fight losing skid at UFC…

Tony Ferguson warns sensitive Paddy Pimblett will run back to mommy after UFC 296 fight

Former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson claims he’s supremely confident of snapping his lengthy six-fight losing skid at UFC 296 this weekend against Paddy Pimblett, describing the Liverpool native as “sensitive” and more concerned with his social media presence than fighting.

Ferguson, a former interim lightweight champion under the banner of the organization, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he featured at UFC 291 back in July in Salt Lake City – suffering a late third round arm-triangle submission loss to Bobby Green.

As for Pimblett, the promotional-perfect contender has been sidelined himself since he co-headlined UFC 282 back in December of last year, landing a hugely-controversial unanimous decision win over Jared Gordon to improve his Octagon winning streak to four consecutive fights. 

Tony Ferguson vows to beat Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296

And attempting to bring a much-needed halt to his losing run and spring a victory for the first time since a doctor’s stoppage TKO win over former title challenger, Donald Cerrone, Ferguson has vowed to do such this weekend at UFC 296 – envisioning no other outcome against Pimblett.

“It’s [the fight] going to go the way I want,” Tony Ferguson told ESPN MMA. “I’ve already visualized it, I’ve trained my ass off for it and I don’t see this kid [Paddy Pimblett] beating me. He’s worried about me blocking him on Instagram, sensitive little bastard.”

“Wait till you get cut,” Tony Ferguson continued. “And you start to see your own blood, you’re gonna run out of that cage back to mommy.” 

And ahead of his return at UFC 296, Ferguson is set to bring with him former United States Navy SEAL, David Goggins into his corner for his fight with Pimblett – who recently put the former interim champion through his paces as part of a greulling “hell week” training regime. 

Video – Colby Covington wears Donald Trump gifted suit ahead of UFC 296: ‘He’ll be putting that belt around my waist’

Colby Covington wears Donald Trump gifted suit ahead of UFC 296 he'll be putting that belt around my waistAhead of his incoming UFC 296 headliner this weekend, former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington attended today’s media availability…

Colby Covington wears Donald Trump gifted suit ahead of UFC 296 he'll be putting that belt around my waist

Ahead of his incoming UFC 296 headliner this weekend, former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington attended today’s media availability sporting a red, white, and blue colored suit and trousers – emblazoned with a mugshot photo of former United States President, Donald Trump – whom the Clovis native claimed would put the title on him with a win over Leon Edwards.

Covington, the current number three ranked welterweight contender and former interim champion, is slated to headline UFC 296 this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada, taking on Birmingham native and incumbent welterweight kingpin, Edwards in a long-awaited grudge match between the two.

Sidelined since March of last year, Covington most recently turned in a one-sided unanimous decision win over former title chaser, Jorge Masvidal in the pair’s heated showdown in a pay-per-view headliner. 

Colby Covington wears Donald Trump-themed suit

And revealing that despite his wishes, former President, Trump will not walk him out at the T-Mobile Arena ahead of his championship fight with Edwards, Covington claimed the former would strap the title belt on him.

“Unfortunately, Donald Trump won’t be able to walk out with me, but he’ll be there cageside,” Colby Covington told assembled media ahead of UFC 296. “I’ll get my hug before I enter that Octagon. I’ll see him cageside – he’ll be putting that belt around my waist Saturday night.” 

And offering his latest prediction for his title fight with Edwards, Covington claimed he would be the one to bring the apparent “quitter” out of the incumbent welterweight champion this weekend.

“It was the first fight with (Kamaru) Usman where I saw he had that quitter in him,” Colby Covington explained. “I’m going to bring out the dog in me and the quitter in him. I know he’s got it deep down inside. Even in the second fight, he had it, too. His coach had to wake him up: ‘Leon, Leon, you’re quitting. Don’t give up, mah-mah-mah-mah.’ He’s a mumbling idiot, and Saturday night, I’m going to bring that quitter back out of him.”

Can Colby Covington win the welterweight crown at UFC 296?

Colby Covington hits out at Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 296 return: ‘I’m not a weight bully like him’

Colby Covington hits out at Islam Makhachev I'm not a weight bully like him UFC 296Confirming his intentions to fight undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev in the immediate future ahead of his return to…

Colby Covington hits out at Islam Makhachev I'm not a weight bully like him UFC 296

Confirming his intentions to fight undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev in the immediate future ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 296 this weekend, incoming welterweight title chaser, Colby Covington has described the Russian as a “weight bully”.

Covington, the current number three ranked welterweight contender and former interim divisional titleholder, is slated to headline UFC 296 this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada – taking on incumbent weight class gold holder, Leon Edwards in a long-anticipated title showdown.

Himself sidelined since March of last year, Clovis native, Covington most recently turned in a one-sided unanimous decision win over former title challenger and prior training partner, Jorge Masvidal in a shutout victory.

Colby Covington again targets Islam Makhachev

And poking fun at American Kickboxing Academy staple, Makhachev ahead of his title fight with Edwards this weekend, Covington claimed the lightweight kingpin was nothing more than just a “weight bully” who fought against “midgets”.

“I don’t cut weight though, you know,” Colby Covington said. “I’m a real fighter, you know, ‘cause I fight at my natural weight class because I’m the best fighter in the world. I’m not a weight bully like Islam Makhachev who has to cut all that weight to have an advantage over midgets and beat those guys up. So, you know, that’s why I’m the number one pound-for-pound fighter on earth – ‘cause I fight at my natural weight class.” 

Weighing up a potential title fight with Makhachev in the future, Covington sought to repeat the theme from heralded screenplay, Rocky IV in a fight with the lightweight kingpin. 

“Number one for sure, is Islam Makhachev,” Colby Covington explained “That’s the money fight. That needs to be settled. USA vs. Russia. It’s the Rocky IV theme line. Rocky vs. Drago. Everybody is talking like he’s pound-for-pound this, he’s pound-for-pound that. Against me, he’ll see a real fighter.”

“He needs to stop being a weight bully, cutting all that weight to get the size advantage over people, and he needs to come see America’s champ,” Colby Covington told. “He needs to come see Donald Trump’s favorite fighter. I’ll see you soon, Islam.” 

Who wins in a future title fight: Colby Covington or Islam Makhachev?

Leon Edwards welcomes title fight with rival Ian Machado Garry after UFC 296: ‘He’s a bit of a snake’

Leon Edwards welcomes fight Ian Machado Garry after UFC 296 he's a bit of a snakePreparing to take on former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington at UFC 296 this weekend, incumbent division best, Leon…

Leon Edwards welcomes fight Ian Machado Garry after UFC 296 he's a bit of a snake

Preparing to take on former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington at UFC 296 this weekend, incumbent division best, Leon Edwards has welcomed the possibility of a run-in inside the Octagon with Irish contender, Ian Machado Garry in the future, branding the Dubliner a “snake” amid their recent training fall out. 

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 286 back in March of this year in London, landing a close, majority decision win over former champion and prior pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman in the pair’s championship trilogy rubber match.

Leon Edwards talks potential Ian Machado Garry clash

As for Machado Garry, the Portmarnock striker also features at UFC 296 this weekend – taking on perennial contender, Vicente Luque in a high-stakes main card clash, attempting to improve to 14-0 as a professional.

In his most recent outing, the former Team KF staple took home a one-sided unanimous decision shutout win over Neil Magny – defeating the division’s most winningest fighter at UFC 292 back in August in Boston.

And addressing the Dubliner’s recent booting from his home facility, Team Renagade BJJ & MMA in Birmingham, Edwards distanced himself from a prolonged rift, before welcoming a fight with the outspoken challenger in the future, whom was labelled a “snake” to boot.

“We didn’t really have a fall out,” Leon Edwards told TalkSPORT during a recent interview. “You know, he (Ian Machado Garry) trained at my gym for like two weeks. So, he wasn’t actually like a teammate, he kind of bounced around different gyms.”

“The coaches suspected he was a little bit of a snake because he was telling me information about gyms he has been at,” Leon Edwards explained. “We thought, ‘Maybe this guy is not the right guy for the gym’, and they asked him to leave. He’s got a big fight on his hands this Saturday night, and we’ll see down the line. If he keeps winning, why not? If he keeps winning, but I think he’s a long way away from the title shot.” 

Who wins in a future fight after UFC 296: Leon Edwards or Ian Machado Garry?