Despite not being a current champion, Colby Covington has already lined up who he’d like his first defense against, calling out Irish superstar Conor McGregor.
Colby Covington is slated to fight for the welterweight title against Leon Edwards later this year. The former title challenger has been out of action for over a year, with his last fight being a unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal UFC 272. Covington sustained a head injury that prevented him from making a return sooner following an attack by Masvidal outside of a Miami restaurant. Even though he hasn’t fought since, Covington did weigh in as the backup for Edwards’ trilogy fight against Usman in March.
Covington appeared at the Turning Point USA Chapter Leadership Summit for a Q&A and addressed a potential fight against McGregor.
Colby Covington Calls for Title Defense Against Conor McGregor
“That’s the big fight, that’s what people wanna see. They wanna see USA vs. Ireland. They wanna see the money fight, that fight sells. I think that’s the biggest fight the UFC could ever do and it lines up perfectly after I beat Leon Edwards ‘Scissorhands’ this fall.”
McGregor is coming off back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 and UFC 264. The former two-division champion hasn’t fought since July of 2021 but is expected to fight Michael Chandler after the conclusion of TUF 31. That fight seems to be in jeopardy, however with McGregor seemingly losing interest in the fight and calling out other names. A fight between McGregor and Covington would surely sell over a million PPVs and quite possibly could be one of the highest-selling cards in UFC history.
“I think Conor is gonna have something to say when I get that welterweight title in a couple months. So definitely before next winter me and Conor square up and we see who the baddest man on the planet is.”
Quotes via LowKickMMA
Colby Covington has long expressed interest in a potential bout with McGregor but would be closer than ever before with a win over Edwards. Winning the welterweight tulle is something McGregor has talked about in the past, so the chance might be too good to pass up if given to him.
What do you think about a potential fight between Colby Covington and Conor McGregor? Let us know in the comments below.
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