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Former UFC Champ Shuts Down Colby Covington’s Middleweight Dreams

Former UFC Champ Shuts Down Colby Covington’s Middleweight Dreams There’s no way in hell Colby Covington moves up to middleweight and jumps immediately into a title fight ……

There’s no way in hell Colby Covington moves up to middleweight and jumps immediately into a title fight … Right?

In the last five years, Covington has gone a lowly 2-4 inside the Octagon with three of his losses coming in UFC title fights that, for the most part, he really didn’t earn. His only two victories during that timeframe came against Jorge Masvidal and Tyron Woodley, fighters who aren’t even on the UFC roster at the moment and ultimately exited the promotion amid their own winless streaks.

So is it possible that after struggling for years in the welterweight division, ‘Chaos’ could move up to 185 and use his star power to walk straight into another title opportunity?

Not likely according to former middleweight titleholder Michael Bisping.

“Colby Covington versus Sean Strickland. First of all, Colby’s too small—simple as that,” Bisping said in a video on his YouTube channel.

“Colby Covington, I don’t think he’s going to be fighting Sean Strickland anytime soon. I mean, for example, if Strickland goes out there and beats Dricus Du Plessis, there’s no way—there’s no way in hell—that Colby moves up to 185 and gets an immediate title fight.

“We know he’s used to getting a lot of title fights. He fought Kamaru Usman, right? He lost in round five. Then he beats Tyron Woodley. Then he fights Kamaru Usman again. He beats Jorge Masvidal, and then he gets a title shot again, right? You’ve had three title fights at 170. You ain’t going to walk into a title fight in your inaugural fight at 185.

Colby Covington could fight at 185, but it won’t be for a UFC title

After getting his ass handed to him against Joaquin Buckley to close out the UFC’s 2025, it’s safe to say that Covington’s stock has significantly dropped, even if he still curries a fair amount of favor with CEO Dana White by being a consummate company man.

Chances are, White would allow Covington to give it a go at 185, but with the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev still waiting for his title shot and surging contenders Caio Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov slowly climbing the middleweight ranks, it’s hard to imagine ‘Chaos’ talking his way into another shot at gold.

Are you interested in seeing what Covington could accomplish by moving up a weight class?

Conor McGregor Claims BKFC KnuckleMania Set To Break UFC’s 14-Year Wells Fargo Center Gate Record

The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), part-owned by Conor McGregor, looks set to host its biggest event to date in a few weeks’ time, and perhaps the biggest to grace Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center. Bare-knuckle fighting continues to gain further prominence, largely down to the growth of the BKFC. The organization hosts KnuckleMania as its […]

Bare-knuckle fighting continues to gain further prominence, largely down to the growth of the BKFC. The organization hosts KnuckleMania as its flagship event each year, with the fifth edition set to go down from “The City of Brotherly Love” on Jan. 25.

In the main event, former UFC fighters Eddie Alvarez and Jeremy Stephens will do battle. There will also be championship gold on the line beforehand, with veteran MMA heavyweight Ben Rothwell throwing down with Mick Terrill.

Keeping a close eye on proceedings will be McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion whose part-ownership of BKFC was announced by president David Feldman at KnuckleMania 4 last year.

“The Notorious” has been doing plenty of promotional work for the organization since, and the latest saw him react on social media to the release of additional tickets for this month’s major card.

And during it, the Irishman made a strong claim about ticket sales for KnuckleMania 5, hinting that BKFC is in line to break the Wells Fargo Center arena record, which the UFC has held since 2011.

“Biggest gate in the arena’s history? Oh yes! See you all there!” McGregor wrote. “BARE KNUCKLE ACTION LIVE FROM WELLS FARGO CENTER, PHILADELPHIA! #PhiladelphiaInaugralBKFCShow“

The arena record was captured at UFC 133, where Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz collided in the main event. The card also featured the likes of Vitor Belfort, Rory MacDonald, Alexander Gustafsson and Chad Mendes.

That event generated a gate of $1.5 million, a figure the BKFC looks poised to surpass if McGregor’s words are to be believed.

Conor McGregor Claims BKFC KnuckleMania Set To Break UFC’s 14-Year Wells Fargo Center Gate Record

Keeping a close eye on proceedings will be McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion whose part-ownership of BKFC was announced by president David Feldman at KnuckleMania 4 last year.

And during it, the Irishman made a strong claim about ticket sales for KnuckleMania 5, hinting that BKFC is in line to break the Wells Fargo Center arena record, which the UFC has held since 2011.

“Biggest gate in the arena’s history? Oh yes! See you all there!” McGregor wrote. “BARE KNUCKLE ACTION LIVE FROM WELLS FARGO CENTER, PHILADELPHIA! #PhiladelphiaInaugralBKFCShow“

That event generated a gate of $1.5 million, a figure the BKFC looks poised to surpass if McGregor’s words are to be believed.

Islam Makhachev Reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Brutal Training Regimen ‘Everybody shuts up and listens’

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has opened up about the demanding training regimen he endures with Khabib Nurmagomedov. Known…

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has opened up about the demanding training regimen he endures with Khabib Nurmagomedov. Known for his unparalleled discipline and dedication, Nurmagomedov’s approach to training leaves little room for rest or compromise, according to Makhachev.

Islam Makhachev on Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov

Islam Makhachev shared that despite the advanced recovery tools available, Khabib’s insistence on hard work during camp means there’s no time to slack off. “Today, honestly, we started with the team. We wanted some guys to go light, maybe rest tomorrow, and do some recovery. Okay, you just go light and do like 30 minutes of running, like easy training.”

“But,” Speaking to Demetrious Johnson, Islam Makhachev continued, “When we came to the gym—12 rounds on the boxing bags. And after, everybody runs. It’s not easy. And tomorrow, 10 in the morning, we have sparring.”

This demanding schedule is typical of Khabib’s coaching philosophy, which Makhachev described as unwavering. “This guy, he doesn’t know any other way. He has one way: hard work. It’s always hard. But I know I’ll be ready 100%. Just believe him, just do what he says, and that’s it.”

Khabib Nurmagomedovretired from MMA with an undefeated record of 29-0, has now transitioned into coaching since hanging up his gloves. His success in the octagon has translated into a successful coaching career, where he has mentored fighters like Makhachev, his cousin Umar Nurmagomedov, and others.

Despite his growing influence in the MMA world, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coaching style remains rooted in the relentless hard work that made him one of the sport’s greatest champions.

Islam Makhachev’s respect for his coach is clear. “If you want to be a champion, you have to follow the way the champs did… He knows how it works. That’s why everybody shuts up and listens to him and trains.” he said, acknowledging the pivotal role Khabib Nurmagomedov’s experience plays in shaping the mindset of the fighters he coaches.

Islam Makhachev will next fight at UFC 311 looking to defend his lightweight title. Khabib Nurmagomedov will be in his corner.

Islam Makhachev Reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Brutal Training Regimen ‘Everybody shuts up and listens’

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has opened up about the demanding training regimen he endures with Khabib Nurmagomedov. Known…

Islam Makhachev on Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov

Despite his growing influence in the MMA world, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coaching style remains rooted in the relentless hard work that made him one of the sport’s greatest champions.

Islam Makhachev will next fight at UFC 311 looking to defend his lightweight title. Khabib Nurmagomedov will be in his corner.

Islam Makhachev Questions Black Belt Standards in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – Are BJJ Black Belts Given Too Easily?

Reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has sparked a heated debate within the martial arts community, questioning whether black…

Reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has sparked a heated debate within the martial arts community, questioning whether black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are being awarded too easily. The Dagestani fighter is known for his elite grappling and ground game and he shared his candid thoughts on the matter in a recent interview.

Islam Makhachev on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

“Why are you scared to go with him on the ground? You’re a black belt,” Makhachev said to Demetrious Johnson, referring to instances where BJJ black belts appear hesitant to engage in grappling exchanges. “But now, it’s a big deal to give some fighters a black belt. No, it’s not. It shouldn’t work like this, you know. I think people agree with me. If you’re a UFC champion, you cannot be a black belt in one day. No, it’s not working like that.”

Islam Makhachev emphasized that earning a black belt should require years of dedication, competition experience, and proven mastery of the art. “Train, like, hours—hours like five, six years—to be a black belt. They have to go to some competitions, World Championships, like international, and do something special, you know, to deserve this,” he continued.

Islam Makhachev’s remarks reflect his own martial arts upbringing in Dagestan, where wrestling and Sambo are pillars of the region’s athletic identity. As a four-time Russian National Combat Sambo Champion and a World Combat Sambo gold medalist, Makhachev has firsthand experience with the rigorous demands of elite-level grappling. His foundation in Sambo has shaped his perspective.

Since debuting in the UFC in 2015, Islam Makhachev has solidified himself as one of the best grapplers in MMA, often overwhelming his opponents with his ground control and submission skills. His success in the Octagon, including his championship victories over BJJ Black Belts Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier has only added weight to his critique of the current BJJ ranking system.

Are BJJ Black Belts Given Too Easily?

Makhachev’s comments have reignited a long-standing debate in the martial arts world. Traditionalists argue that earning a black belt should symbolize years of hard work, competition, and technical proficiency.

In MMA, black belts are often awarded to fighters who display exceptional grappling skills during fights, even if they lack the competition experience traditionally required in BJJ. This practice has drawn criticism from purists who feel that the integrity of the black belt is being diluted.

Makhachev’s stance echoes the frustrations of many who believe that the martial art’s highest rank should not be given out as a symbolic gesture. “It shouldn’t work like this,” he asserted, calling for a return to more stringent standards.

Whether or not the BJJ community will take his words to heart remains to be seen. For a fighter who has spent years proving himself on the mats and in the Octagon, he knows the power of grappling being a lifetime student under the UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.