Former UFC welterweight champ Colby Covington has decided to get his share from the UFC, even if he has to drag the organisation to the court for the same.
“We may have to go to court, and this may be a lawsuit, because let’s be honest: If (Tom) Brady wins the AFC championship … and just all of a sudden Roger Goodell says, ‘You’re not going to the Super Bowl because we don’t like you’ – no, that’s not how it works,” Covington told MMAjunkie Radio on Monday.
The former interim champ has made claims that he is the most marketable star in the 170 pounds. However, Covington has yet to make a visit to the Octagon in the past eight months. The relations between the organisation and Covington seemed perfectly fine during the latter’s visit to the White House. However things changed for the worse when “Chaos” declined a fight with Kamaru Usman on a six weeks notice for UFC on ESPN+1. Earlier he had also declined a fight with Woodley at UFC 228 citing a pending nasal injury.
“If the UFC wants to be a circus and be a corrupt business and go about their business, then that’s their problem,” he said. “I’m standing up for what I believe in. I’m not backing down.
“I don’t care what Uncle Fester has to say. I’m the No. 1 ranked fighter in the world. Go look it up on the UFC website. I had a belt wrapped around my waist by Uncle Fester. I was the only fighter to go the White House. What else do you have to do? What’s the criteria to get a title shot these days?”
If unsuccessful at getting his title shot Colby has also hinted at getting released from his contract. But the UFC first has to agree to release him. If the promotion elects to keep him around, it could extend his layoff for the foreseeable future by offering fights and then tacking on additional contract time if he refuses.
“They know how valuable I am,” Covington said. “They know I am the biggest draw in the welterweight division and soon to be the biggest draw in the sport. They can’t stop my progression and my growth. I’m getting better every day. I’m 30 years young. Every time I step in the gym at American Top Team I’m getting better, I grow, I mature every single day. You haven’t seen the best of me yet, and they can’t keep me down. They can delay me, but they cannot deny me.”