Colby Covington’s Return on the Horizon
Colby Covington, the former UFC interim welterweight champion, is gearing up to make his return to the octagon in the coming months. Known for his tenacity and oftentimes controversial persona, Covington has been a significant figure in the MMA world. However, fans shouldn’t hold their breath for a highly anticipated match against Dustin Poirier, despite the long-standing animosity between them. During a recent Q&A session on his YouTube channel, Covington addressed the possibility of facing Poirier, a former teammate from American Top Team in Florida, where their relationship deteriorated.
The Dustin Poirier Feud
Covington and Poirier’s rivalry dates back to their time training together, and it has only grown more intense since Covington left the gym. When asked about the potential fight, Covington was unambiguous, stating, "No word on the Dustin fight. He’s been scared of my shadow for years, ever since we trained together at that old gym. The guy just knows what I bring to the table. He knows he can’t beat me." Covington’s disdain for Poirier is evident, and he believes Poirier is too intimidated to step into the octagon with him. He further elaborated, "He can’t even get a lucky punch on me. He’s not even willing to try like his friend Jorge [Masvidal]. At least he tried. Dustin doesn’t even want to try." This sentiment reflects Covington’s confidence in his skills and his perception of Poirier as a fighter who lacks the necessary courage to face him.
The Masvidal Rivalry: A Tale of Two Battles
The animosity between Covington and Poirier is reminiscent of Covington’s notorious feud with Jorge Masvidal. Their rivalry came to a head at UFC 272 in 2022, where Covington emerged victorious in a lopsided decision. However, the grudge was far from settled. In a dramatic turn of events, Masvidal attacked Covington outside a restaurant in Miami Beach, leading to his arrest. This incident only added fuel to the fire, cementing their rivalry as one of the more contentious in recent MMA history. While Masvidal took the physical and metaphorical fight to Covington, the latter sees Poirier as a different kind of opponent—one who is unwilling to confront him directly.
Poirier’s Retirement Plans
Dustin Poirier, on the other hand, has been teasing his retirement fight, hinting at a final appearance in the UFC sometime this year. Despite his plans, Covington remains unconvinced that he will be the one to step into the octagon with Poirier. He remarked, "He’s going to go into retirement knowing that I owned his soul and he didn’t defend his family’s honor and legacy. Dustin’s a little cuck, he’s Louisiana swamp trash and he’s a pathetic little b*tch." These harsh words underscore the deep-seated animosity Covington feels towards Poirier, suggesting that even in Poirier’s final fight, he will avoid the confrontation.
Preparing for the Next Fight
Regardless of the potential Poirier bout, Covington is focused on his own return to the UFC. He is keen to have a full training camp this time around, after accepting a short-notice main event against Joaquin Buckley in December, which ended in a loss due to a doctor’s stoppage after a gruesome cut over his eye. The experience was a stark reminder of the importance of preparation, and Covington is determined to ensure he is at his peak when he steps back into the octagon. He emphasized, "I just want to make sure I get a full training camp so I’m at my best. So people can see the real Colby and we’ll beat anybody in the world when we get a full training camp." This dedication to thorough training is a crucial aspect of his comeback strategy, ensuring he is fully prepared to face any opponent the UFC has in mind.
Current Role and Future Plans
While Covington is preparing for his return, he is also keeping busy as an assistant coach for Chael Sonnen on the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. This role allows him to stay connected to the MMA community and share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of fighters. Despite his current responsibilities, Covington remains focused on his own career and is eager to return to the octagon. He concluded his thoughts on his comeback, "Whenever I think the UFC has [found] a good opponent, a big opponent, a big name that makes the company business, then we’ll get in a 12 week training camp and bring them all." This statement highlights his willingness to face top-tier competition and his confidence in his ability to perform at the highest level when given the proper preparation.
