Former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington has been urged to call time on his mixed martial arts career by rival, Belal Muhammad ahead of his own title charge at UFC 304, claiming there is nothing left for the outspoken veteran in the sport.
Muhammad, who currently boasts the number two rank in the official welterweight pile, returns next weekend at UFC 304, taking on incumbent division champion, and common-foe, Leon Edwards in a title rematch in Manchester.
Himself sidelined through injury since December of last year, Covington most recently took on Birmingham star, Edwards in his third undisputed title fight under the banner of the UFC, suffering a one-sided unanimous decision loss.
And linked with a slew of potential opponents in his return to action, Clovis native, Covington has remained non-receptive to a showdown with unbeaten Dublin striker, Ian Garry, even off the back of his decision win over Michael ‘Venom’ Page at UFC 303 last month.
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC
Belal Muhammad urges Colby Covington to retire
Sharing his thoughts on the immediate fighting future of Covington – who has campaigned for a future rematch with Edwards, was urged to just retire from mixed martial arts instead by Muhammad.
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC
“Honestly, Colby Covington just needs to retire, there’s literally nothing left for him,” Belal Muhammad told The Schmo. “He’s still trying to attach his glory days to three or four years ago when they thought he was good, but I think everyone figured out now that he sucks and I think that right now he’s just trying to figure out who’s gonna be the next person he can beat up and then he can on the mic and talk trash.”
“He’s kind of like Sean Strickland where he doesn’t have the belt anymore no one cares what he has to say,” Belal Muhammad continued.
Do you agree with Belal Muhammad’s take on Colby Covington’s future?
Photo by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Jake Paul and Mike Perry will meet inside the boxing ring this weekend live on DAZN PPV from Tampa, Fla., but the two faced off in a pre-fight interview this week that quickly turned weird.
Paul was supposed to be fighting Mike Tyson this month, but “Iron Mike” had a health scare so “Platinum” stepped in. Perry may not possess the boxing skills of a Tyson, but the former UFC contender does have some serious power and also has an iron chin. It should be a good fight with all things considered.
Before the gloves start flying, Paul and Perry joined for a special “MVP Face 2 Face” sit-down to discuss their upcoming fight. It was a pretty cringe interview to say the least, chock-full of Hulk Hogan impressions and awkward back-and-forth trash talk. Perry had some of the strangest things to say. Check it out below:
The amount of testosterone in this Jake Paul and Mike Perry face to face pic.twitter.com/ygPjRjZtoQ
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 16, 2024
Mike Perry to Jake Paul: “I’m gonna dig through your eyeball and find your memories” pic.twitter.com/hEn7yKqqh8
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) July 16, 2024
“I’m going to exploit those green tendencies in this fight, and you will break,” said Perry. “You look very flubbery. I’m hard as a f—king rock. My sh-t is f—king shredded.”
“Most people on the internet don’t know sh-t about boxing,” he later added. “These people have never had a fight or they’re special needs. You know the thing about retarded people is they don’t know that they’re retarded.”
“I’m excited for a battle,” Perry said. “I do like getting punched and I like punching too, so we’re going to see. Ten-ounce gloves, no headgear – I’m going to hurt you, Jake. And I’m going to laugh in your face when you try to hurt me.”
“Your little baby green punches can’t even reach my brain stem, bro,” said Perry. “I’m going to dig through your eyeball and find your memories.”
Insomnia
Who should Dustin Poirier fight next?
Dustin Poirier says his next opponent will “100%” be one of the following fighters:
– Nate Diaz – Conor McGregor – Alexander Volkanovski – Justin Gaethje – Max Holloway – Charles Oliveira – Colby Covington
Justin Gaethje says Max Holloway was “very precise and perfect” during their fight, and a “very tough Max Holloway to beat”.
He also says what he would change if he he could go back and adjust his game plan:
“I would’ve pressured more, I would’ve tried to move forward… I… pic.twitter.com/Vip2ATXAXf
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 16, 2024
Rank this weekend’s upcoming card 1-10.
If you don’t know, now you know.
Lemos vs Jandiroba is LIVE and FREE SATURDAY on @espn! #UFCVegas94 pic.twitter.com/uBUX8uR5n3
— danawhite (@danawhite) July 16, 2024
Does he really deserve a title shot?
Khamzat Chimaev is eyeing an October return and says he’s earned a title shot pic.twitter.com/4DePSD9aQR
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 16, 2024
Has Bobby Green lost a little bit of his chin?
Bobby Green “a little bit chinny now”? That’s what Paddy Pimblett had to say about his upcoming opponent in an interview with @MikeBohn. #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/cBUmmagosC
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 16, 2024
UFC should start handing these out.
I think the president needs a ring someone get his size for me #icegang #bmf pic.twitter.com/YT4rGM4FlY
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) July 16, 2024
Love it.
Ilia Topuria training camp rn: pic.twitter.com/NVXGLIXygG
— UFC Alien (@UfcAlien) July 16, 2024
Do you want to see Clay Guida at The Sphere?
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Clay Guida (@clayguida)
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Is this doing it for you?
I’ve seen enough, it’s time to put Medieval MMA on the map pic.twitter.com/FcegdIXHS8
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 16, 2024
Random Land
Why did he jump?
i know bros head was ringing for days pic.twitter.com/sz9b8dyGZ2
— OnlyBangers (@OnlyBangersEth) July 16, 2024
Sleep well Maniacs! We’ll be back for more tomorrow night.
Michael Bisping feels for Nate Diaz in his current situation.
On Monday, Diaz filed a lawsuit against Fanmio in the U.S. District Court, claiming the company still owes him $ 9 million from his win over Jorge Masvidal in a July 6 boxing match after the promoter guaranteed Diaz a $ 10 million payday overall.
Bisping, along with co-host Anthony Smith, discussed the news on a recent episode of Believe You Me.
“It’s a really shitty situation for Nate Diaz,” Bisping said. “He upheld his end of the bargain. He did the training, sold the fight, went out there and competed, put on an absolute classic, and then doesn’t get paid.”
Bisping noted his experience competing in a hybrid combat event for UR Fight in 2016, grappling Chael Sonnen. The card also featured boxing, MMA, and even pro wrestling. Despite Bisping stating that the event didn’t do great financially, he was paid for his appearance.
The former middleweight champion was asked by Smith what he would do in the situation. While he understands why Diaz filed the suit, Bisping just isn’t sure that — no matter what the result is — Diaz will be made whole.
“Winning a lawsuit is one thing, collecting from a lawsuit is very, very different,” Bisping said. “The amount of people that actually get paid, or even get a judgement or an award, is very, very, low, I believe. And certainly in a position like this, a boxing promoter, they can just absolve the business, declare bankrupt — that’s it, you’re done.
“Not to mention the fact that it’s going to cost a fortune to sue the guy. These things aren’t cheap. It seems like it would be a pretty much slam-dunk of a case, but still, there’s going to be legal expenses there — which, of course, Fanmio’s side would have to pay that … but again, you’re not going to get your award, you’re certainly not going to get your legal expenses.”
Fanmio CEO Solomon Engel responded to the suit on Monday with the following statement.
“Nate Diaz has filed a frivolous lawsuit against Fanmio which claims that fraud and breach of contract were committed by Fanmio, yet neither has taken place. In fact, Diaz has already been paid seven figures in connection with the fight. I look forward to resolving this dispute through the appropriate process and am confident that justice will prevail. Making salacious and defamatory statements to the media in order to harm my family and I has only strengthened my resolve to ensure that the truth will triumph.”
Jon Jones has found himself arguing with fans on social media fairly regularly during his recovery process before he hopes to return later this year.
The UFC heavyweight champion is expected to face former champ Stipe Miocic after their fight at UFC 295 was cancelled due to Jones’ injury.
In the meantime, many fans believe that his next opponent should instead be Tom Aspinall, who won the interim title and will now be defending it at UFC 304 later this month.
Though the case has been made for Aspinall, Alex Pereira also became a part of the conversation following another dominant performance from the light heavyweight champion at UFC 303.
A former UFC champion at both heavyweight and light heavyweight believes that Jones’ toughest test is also likely to be his next one.
Randy Couture Says Experienced Stipe Miocic Has The Best Chance Of Beating Jon Jones Right Now
In a recent interview with InsideFighting, Randy Couture gave his take on who presents the biggest challenge to Jones and the heavyweight title right now.
Despite giving Aspinall and Pereira their dues, Couture pointed out how their experience competing at the top of the heavyweight division does leave a few question marks next to both men in potential match-ups with “Bones”.
With that in mind, “The Natural” sided with the man that many believe to be the best UFC heavyweight of all time, former champion Miocic.
It has been three years since Miocic last competed inside the Octagon but Couture chose to go with the tried and tested competitor at this current time.
“I think right now, because of experience, Stipe’s probably got the best shot at beating Jon. Aspinall has that raw physical ability and is still green enough and young enough that he’s going to be tough for Jon to deal with, especially if Jon waits any longer because he’s getting stronger and stronger each time out and I think the longer Jon waits, the better he’s going to be, he’s going to be in full stride by the time that fight happens so it’s interesting. Pereira has some things to prove, moving up is no easy task.
“It’s one thing to cut weight and move down and there’s still some questions there even but moving up and dealing with the bigger guys, and Jon’s answered that question already dealing with the bigger guys, it’s a different thing… certainly has all the ability in the world, Pereira does, and he’s a hell of a competitor and he’s just demonstrated that again. I think anybody’s crazy if they don’t think you better strap them on if you’re stepping in there with him because he’s gonna bring it.”
Read also: Alistair Overeem Favors Jon Jones To Beat Tom Aspinall But Names 50-50 Matchup For Him: ‘That Was The Fight To Make…’
Continue Reading Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Names Who Has The Best Chance To Beat Jon Jones Out Of Stipe Miocic, Tom Aspinall, & Alex Pereira at MMA News.
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