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Morning Report: Colby Covington calls for bout with former teammate Jorge Masvidal next, Masvidal responds

November 08, 2021
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Colby Covington, in his second attempt to wrest undisputed UFC gold from Kamaru Usman on Saturday night, lost a unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 268. Immediately following the loss, Covington was respectful towards Usman in the cage, shaking his hand and, it appeared, squashing the beef between the two. However, the geniality was short-lived and by the time Covington made it to the post-fight press conference, he was already arguing for another shot at the champion. But given that he now has two losses to Usman, Covington is going to need to earn his way back up the ladder and the former interim welterweight champion knows just where to start: his old buddy Jorge Masvidal.

The story of Covington and Masvidal is a Shakespearian tragedy or, depending how you feel about both men, perhaps a comedy. Long-time training parters at American Top Team and self-proclaimed “best friends,” the two began drifting apart publicly when Masvidal moved up to welterweight and rapidly rose to the top of the division. With both men jockeying for title shots, tensions boiled over (though Masvidal says things actually fell apart when Covington allegedly “ripped off” one of their mutual coaches) and Covington left American Top Team, moving to MMA Masters. Since then he and Masvidal have been bitter enemies, constantly taking shots at one another in the media and repeatedly being rumored to fight, and now, Covington thinks the time is right.

“I think the most logical step is the heated rivalry with me and my old roommate Street Judas Masvidal,” Covington said at his UFC 268 post-fight scrum. “He should probably pull out of that fight with Leon Scott (Leon Edwards) and we should just run it. Let’s run it in the first quarter of the first part of the year, and let’s do it, man. That’s a heated rivalry.

“He talks so much sh*t in the media and said so many things about me. Look at what happened when he fought Marty (Usman). He got dusted. If he fought me, he would get dusted even worse and it wouldn’t be competitive. I just want to hold these people accountable for the way they run their mouth in the media, and it makes sense.

“If he goes ahead with that Leon Scott fight, then Hunter Campbell, I just pray to you, please God, don’t cut him after that third loss in a row. Save him around and let me be the one that ends his career.”

Unfortunately for Covington, Masvidal is currently occupied. “Gamebred” is scheduled to settle another old feud of his when he faces Leon Edwards in a featured welterweight bout at UFC 269 next month. However, the BMF champion appears to be game once he settles up with Edwards, saying on social media that he plans to “expose the fake real soon” and then blasting Covington once more for good measure.

Covington and Masvidal have been rumored for a fight with one another several times before but the bout has never materialized. Now though, with both men having two losses to Usman and no immediate prospects at receiving a third title shot, following UFC 269 a grudge match between the two may finally come to fruition.

TOP STORIES

Results. Kamaru Usman and Rose Namajunas defended their titles at UFC 268.

Results. Patricky Pitbull KOs Peter Queally to capture lightweight title at Bellator 270.

Reaction. Kamaru Usman reacts to Colby Covington shaking his hand after UFC 268, open to third fight in the future.

Character. Colby Covington argues he deserved win at UFC 268, ‘no respect’ for ‘cheating coward’ Kamaru Usman despite post-fight handshake.

Right. Dana White shuts down Kamaru Usman vs. Canelo Alvarez boxing match: ‘Let’s stop this sh*t’.

Wrong. Dana White rules out Carla Esparza for next shot at Rose Namajunas: ‘We have an option’.

Hero. Chris Barnett after unreal ‘Knockout of the Year’ contender: ‘Mentally, I’m 170 pounds’.

Self-absorbed. Jon Jones seeks new team, says he won’t return to Jackson Wink.

VIDEO STEW

UFC 268 Post Show.

UFC 268 Post Fight Press Conference.

On to UFC 269.

Fight of the Year.

LISTEN UP

On to the Next One. Matchmaking following UFC 268.

Severe MMA. Discussing UFC 268 and Bellator 270.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Champion.

Next challenger?

Henry Cejudo.

Give this woman her fight.

Respect earned.

Frankie Edgar.

Call out.

Aljamain Sterling.

Jon Jones.

Sums it up.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

N/A.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Perhaps it’s recency bias but that was the best fight card of the year. Props where do, great work UFC.

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

EXIT POLL

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.

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