Following the withdrawal of UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, Shavkat Rakhmonov is looking for an opponent to step up and fight him in a potential interim bout, but that won’t be Colby Covington.
‘Chaos’ has long been one of the standouts in the 170 lbs division, making a name for himself with his distasteful persona when under the spotlight. Despite losing his last matchup, the All-American was emerging as a possible contender to replace the injured Muhammad at UFC 310, but that no longer seems to be the case.
During a recent interview, Colby Covington revealed that he put his name in the hat to face Shavkat Rakhmonov on December 7, but the promotion had other plans.
“If the UFC would have called me, they know I’m a game-time player, dude,” Covington said. “I love doing the biggest and best business for the company.”
“So, I was excited at the opportunity to step in there but, you know, it looks like they’re going a different route. They’re going to go potentially with the [Kamaru] Usman and sh*trat fight…”
“I’m right there still anyways. I beat someone, I’m right back in the conversation. I would love that, they know they can call me on a week’s notice and I’m stepping up to the plate. I think it’s a good matchup for me…”
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Covington later insisted that he would have relished the chance to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov for interim gold.
“Yeah, I offered [to fill in at UFC 310]. I told the UFC that I was willing to step up to the plate and I would love to save the show and put on a good show for the fans.”
“They pay their hard-earned money for big mega-fights. They need a mega-fight, that’s not a mega-fight. They need someone who’s going to put asses in seats and entertain people.”
“I was excited. I wanted the fight and I asked for it but I think they have other plans. But, you know, I’m still [in] their plans. I’m still the biggest star in the division.”