Devouring steak days before UFC 296 weigh-ins, Colby Covington disses Islam Makhachev for being weight bully

Colby Covington takes a jab at Islam Makhachev by calling him a weight bully.

Devouring steak days before UFC 296 weigh-ins, Colby Covington disses Islam Makhachev for being weight bully

Colby Covington disses 'weigth bully' Islam Makhachev ahead of his title fight (via EuroSport/ YouTube)

Colby Covington, never one to shy away from controversy, has once again sparked uproar in the MMA world. This time he is targeting UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Covington was blunt in a recent interview, calling Makhachev a “weight bully” and questioning his pound-for-pound standing.

The crux of Colby Covington‘s complaint is his charge that Makhachev is a “weight bully.” Covington believes Makhachev competes strategically in weight classes where he has a big size advantage over his opponents. While eating steaks ahead of his UFC 296 bout against champion Leon Edwards, Covington went on to diss Makhachev, saying that he is a weight bully.

I'm a real fighter. I fight at my natural weight class. I know I am the best fighter in the world. I am not a weight bully like Islam Makhachev who has to cut all that weight to have an advantage over midgets and beat those guys up.
Colby Covington via UFC YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vm02-k-CFYc

The decision to go after Makhachev comes at an unusual moment, given Covington’s current focus on welterweight contender Leon Edwards. Covington’s tendency for conflict and rivalry appears to be a purposeful effort to stay in the spotlight and keep people engaged.

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Covington’s tendency to make headlines and evoke strong reactions from fans and fellow fighters maintains his status as a divisive character. This ensures that all eyes remain on him even if the target of his verbal jabs switches from one competitor to the next.

Colby Covington responds to Islam Makhachev’s intention to go up in weight class

Colby Covington has responded to the possibility of a bout with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. He addressed the prospect of fighting Makhachev in an interview with Submission Radio, calling it the “biggest and best spectacle” in the UFC.

Colby Covington respons to Islam Makhachev's statement about moving up a weight class
Colby Covington responds to Islam Makhachev’s statement about moving up a weight class (via BJ Penn)

Covington, who is known for his loud attitude and unfiltered statements, wasted no time belittling Makhachev’s chances in a possible matchup. He questioned Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, and said that he would not let Makhachev face Covington.

I’m setting up big business. Leon’s first and then it needs to be American wrestling vs. Dagestani wrestling. Everybody wants to see that fight. Makhachev’s starting to run his mouth but we know his manager [Ali Abdelaziz] ‘Abdela-sleeze’ is not gonna let him get in my crosshairs. He can say whatever he wants to the media but he doesn’t really mean it.
Colby Covington via Submission Radio

The context for this stems from Makhachev’s desire to move up to compete for a second belt. Covington is currently scheduled for a fight with Leon Edwards at UFC 296. However, he seemed open to the notion of a champion-vs-champion showdown with Makhachev. This would be contingent on both fighters holding weight-class titles.

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