Kamaru Usman Highlights Evolution of UFC Trash-Talk from Chael Sonnen and Conor McGregor to Colby Covington and Josh Hokit

Kamaru Usman contemplated the evolution of trash-talkers in the UFC on his Pound 4 Pound podcast with Henry Cejudo.

Kamaru Usman Highlights Evolution of UFC Trash-Talk from Chael Sonnen and Conor McGregor to Colby Covington and Josh Hokit

Kamaru Usman reflects on UFC trash talkers [via SCMP, MMA Mania, and Yahoo Sports]

In Short
  • Kamaru Usman discussed the evolution of trash talk in MMA, highlighting figures like Chael Sonnen, Conor McGregor, and Colby Covington.
  • He believes Colby Covington has surpassed both Sonnen and McGregor in terms of trash talk effectiveness.
  • Usman expressed confusion over Covington's retirement, noting a disconnect between him and the UFC regarding fight opportunities.

Like it or not, trash talk is an indelible part of MMA. While the sport has moved away from it slightly in recent years, it still remains a major factor in how entertaining the buildup to a fight really is. Recently, on his podcast, former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman reflected on how trash talk has evolved in the sport.

Chael Sonnen has often been credited for revolutionizing fight promotion in the UFC, employing a style very close to how professional wrestlers cut “promos.” Then came Conor McGregor, replacing Sonnen’s WWE-style promos with witty one-liners, signature catchphrases, and provocative insults that bordered on mental warfare. He is often labelled as the greatest trash-talker in UFC history, and for good reason.

As fighters increasingly began adopting this style of entertainment, Colby Covington stood out from his peers, borrowing aspects from his predecessors and blending them with inflammatory comments about sensitive matters. This no-limits approach made him controversial yet impossible to ignore. On his Pound 4 Pound podcast, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ reflected on this evolution of UFC trash-talkers.

Chael [Sonnen] had a unique way of doing it, he was so convincing and was hard to hate the guy. [Conor] McGregor comes in, and he’s just a different type, and then you get to [Colby] Covington that completely stepped over the line to where you’re like, is this guy serious? He was so absurd with the things he was saying… Josh Hokit is bringing something different. But it’s different, it’s not like that. It’s a different style and Colby had a different style.

Kamaru Usman via the Pound 4 Pound podcast

The former welterweight champion is someone who knows how effective Colby Covington’s promotional tactics can be firsthand. Though the two seemed to have settled their feud, at its peak, it was one of the most heated feuds in UFC history. Fighters like Covington, who go to great lengths to sell their fights, have often been criticized for doing too much in the name of promotion.

However, Kamaru Usman said that he was grateful for the rivalry with the former interim champion. The Black Panther 2 actor claimed he was glad to have such a contentious and highly publicized rivalry at the top of his division. The former champion then addressed his longtime rival’s retirement from the UFC.

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Kamaru Usman says he doesn’t understand why Colby Covington retired

The Nigerian Nightmare and ‘Chaos’ Covington’s rivalry was probably the height of both fighters’ careers. Their trash-talk was heated and often extremely personal, and both title fights were instant classics with high-level, competitive action on display from both men. However, since then, the 38-year-old ex-interim champion has gone 1-2 in the UFC, with his last win being against Jorge Masvidal in 2022.

Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington
Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington [via MMA Fighting]

Moreover, the self-proclaimed ‘King of Miami’ also became very inactive, with only two outings to the cage since that win over Masvidal. Nevertheless, him notifying the UFC of his retirement came as a shock to many in the MMA community. Even his former nemesis was befuddled by this decision, questioning the motivation behind it.

There’s some type of disconnect between Covington and the UFC and why they can’t get him in there, and why he’s not getting fights. I have a long history with Colby, which is a really deep connecting history, and so, for him, I don’t understand why [he retired]. Any fight Covington is going to be in is going to be a fight that you wanna keep your eye on. More power to him, do what you do.

Kamaru Usman via the Pound 4 Pound Podcast

It wasn’t long ago that Covington was asking to be put on the UFC’s upcoming Freedom 250 card. However, after being denied the fight he was looking for, the former interim champion seemed disenfranchised with the UFC. The 38-year-old even admitted to feeling undervalued by the promotion.

However, Kamaru Usman said on the Pound 4 Pound podcast that he doesn’t believe that this was directly responsible for his former rival’s retirement. However, he did admit to a “disconnect” between the veteran welterweight and the UFC regarding his activity in the cage.

Despite his retirement from the UFC, Covington plans to continue competing in other promotions like Real American Freestyle. He is set to take on his former UFC colleague, Chris Weidman, at RAF 09 on May 30. Meanwhile, rumors of Usman fighting Dricus Du Plessis in his next fight continue to intensify in the MMA community.

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