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Morning Report: Tyron Woodley responds to Colby Covington: ‘He said no six times and now creates a date that works for him?’

July 17, 2020
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

For what seems like forever, Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington have engaged in a very public war of words, and it seems like the beef has no end in sight.

When Woodley won the UFC welterweight title in 2016, both he and Covington were training out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL. The two were not friends but they sparred and trained together occasionally, however, as Woodley remained champion and Covington moved up the ranks and adopted a brash, trash-talking persona, their relationship became acrimonious. When Covington won an interim title by defeating Rafael dos Anjos, the two were finally going to fight each other.

Instead, things continually prevented that bout from happening, and two years later, the bout still hasn’t happened. In the meantime, both men have continued their media campaigns against one another, with the latest salvo coming from Covington who, earlier this week, posted a picture of a signed bout agreement to Instagram for August 22, and claimed that Woodley had refused the fight. Now, Woodley has responded.

Speaking to ESPN yesterday, Woodley confirmed that he refused to sign that bout agreement, not because of Covington but because the date.

“My answer to whether I would fight Colby is eternally yes,” Woodley said. “At 96 years old in a nursing home it’s yes! He said no six times and now creates a date that works for him? F*ck out of here.”

Six times may be an exaggeration, however, Covington does seem to be responsible for multiple other instances of the fight failing to get booked. After winning the interim title, Covington was passed over for his title shot when he would not agree to the UFC’s timeline, citing the need for nose surgery. After Woodley successfully defended against Darren Till instead, Covington was still thought to be the top contender, however, when he couldn’t come to terms with the UFC, the title shot went to Kamaru Usman instead. Finally, when the COVID-19 pandemic threw the MMA world for a loop and Woodley’s planned bout with Leon Edwards fell through, Covington allegedly volunteered to step in on short-notice. Once again, the fight didn’t happen though and instead, Gilbert Burns fought Woodley in May. Given these circumstances, Woodley says that Covington should consider himself lucky the option still exists.

“He declined fights [for two years],” Woodley said. “He’s lucky I’m still entertaining it.”

Given the long build up, the UFC reportedly seems interested in putting the fight together but it remains to be seen whether this is the start of finally making that happen or just another arrow in the quiver of “No, you’re the one who ducked me!” allegations that have been lobbed at each party. Hopefully it’s not the latter, and the former welterweight champion says he intends to follow up with the UFC about getting the fight done.

“I literally treated it like every other bluff and told them quit contacting me until this b*tch signed a bout agreement,” Woodley said. “Never thought he would sign. September/October, I’ll get around to exterminating that roach. Let me call the UFC and see what’s crackin.”

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Boring. Gilbert Burns expected Kamaru Usman to win ‘boring’ decision at UFC 251, scoffs at Leon Edwards asking for next title shot.

Re-focus. Kelvin Gastelum explains how he had to ‘battle some demons’ after disappointing 2019 campaign.

VIDEO STEW

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Scott Coker interview.

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Khamzat Chimaev on TMZ. Big come up.

LISTEN UP

The Bash. Interviews with Karim Zidan and Jack Hermansson.

Fights Gone By. Discussing the two events this week, past and future.

Heavy Hands. Reviewing UFC 251 and looking to the flyweight title fight.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mallory Martin (6-3) vs. Hannah Cifers (10-6); UFC Fight Night, Aug. 29.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

EXIT POLL

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