Michael Chiesa criticizes Colby Covington for missing out on a potential fight
After his victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC on ABC 7 last August, Chiesa (17-7 MMA, 12-7 UFC) expressed interest in facing Covington (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC). Despite some buildup to a potential fight, Covington ultimately declined the offer, much to Chiesa’s disappointment.
During a recent interview with MMA on Sirius XM, Chiesa revealed that Covington’s refusal to fight him was unexpected. He recalled a moment during their time as coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter” where Covington seemed open to the idea of a fight, only to backtrack later on.
Chiesa expressed his frustration, stating, “I thought it would have been a lot of fun. But at this point in time, I’m going to let it go. Colby is on his way out. He can do what he wants to do.”
Chiesa also criticized Covington’s recent performance in the octagon, pointing out his 2-4 record in his last six fights. He believes that Covington’s focus on only facing top-ranked opponents may lead to further setbacks in his career.
Despite the missed opportunity to fight Covington, Chiesa has moved on and is now preparing to face Court McGee at UFC on ESPN 69. The event is scheduled to take place on June 14 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.