Alexander Volkanovski, Brian Ortega react to ‘b*tch’ Colby Covington’s criticism ahead of TUF return

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Colby Covington has gotten the attention of Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega ahead of the June 1 return of The Ultimate Fighter.

The featherweight champion and next title challenger will serve as coaches when the reality show hits ESPN+, which has drawn criticism from Covington. “Chaos” spoke with MMA journalist James Lynch to give his thoughts on Volkanovski and Ortega guiding the teams this season.

“Yikes. I know Hunter Campbell and Dana White probably had to go behind closed doors and be smacking themselves in the head because you don’t want those two guys as your coaches as your comeback season of The Ultimate Fighter,” Covington stated. “Those guys are going to make a complete mockery of the show. There’s just no entertainment factor there. They’re decent fighters for the little weights, for the little midgets, but they don’t sell. There’s no controversy. There’s no drama, there’s nothing. There’s no storyline.

“So I feel bad for the show. I wish I could have [been on] the show and give the people what they want.”

Ortega caught wind of Covington’s comments on Friday and reacted on Twitter.

Idk why @ColbyCovMMA hating the TUF show was yours bro I didn’t even fucken want it. @GamebredFighter left to fight and you got assed out. My fight fell through and we got the call to get it. I didn’t call anyone bout the show they hit me up. Now I’m glad you ain’t get it Bitch

— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) May 28, 2021

“I don’t know why Colby Covington’s hating,” Ortega said. “The TUF show was yours, bro. I didn’t even f*ckin want it. [Jorge Masvidal] left to fight and you got assed out.

“My fight fell through and we got the call to get it,” Ortega continued. “I didn’t call anyone about the show, they hit me up. Now I’m glad you ain’t get it, b*tch.”

Around five hours later, Volkanovski gave his thoughts on the situation and shared in his upcoming opponent’s description of Covington.

@ColbyCovMMA why you mad? Just take a fight already you little bitch. You literally play a character to stay relevant.

— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) May 29, 2021

“Just take the fight already you little b*tch,” Volkanovski said. “You literally play a character to stay relevant.”

While Volkanovski and Ortega—who were scheduled to fight at UFC 260 before the featherweight champion positive for COVID-19 in March—await a new date, Covington told MMA Fighting in a recent interview he hopes the UFC books a welterweight title rematch with Kamaru Usman this summer.