Colby Covington dreams of a fight with GSP, and jumping ship from the UFC to WWE, where they “they take care of their guys.”
Las Vegas, NV — “If they keep treating me how they’re treating me, you’ll probably see me in WWE sooner than later.” That little tidbit was dropped by welterweight title challenger Colby Covington ahead of UFC 245 this weekend, where ‘Chaos’ will challenge Kamaru Usman for the 170lb title.
Covington (15-1), winner of seven straight including victories over former champs Rafael dos Anjos and Robbie Lawler, has been working a brash, pro-wrestling heel-style character over the past couple of years. He’s rubbed a number of fighters and fans the wrong way as a result, but Covington’s beef with his employer feels a little deeper.
Still, he’s not about to battle it out in court with the promotion. “The UFC lawyers have so many guys protecting them, it would be hard to win a case against them. And it would just drag out, and just be a multi-year type thing,” he told media outlets including Cageside Press at the UFC 245 media day.
“It would fizzle my whole career out. I wouldn’t be in my prime anymore by the time it was over. There’s no reason to get in a pissing match with them,” he admitted.
But there are other options on the table. “I can still go to the WWE because it’s a different sport than the UFC. I just can’t go to another fight organization, which sucks because I know other fight organizations would pay me my worth.” His worth, said Covington, is in the seven figure realm.
One fight suggestion did get Covington to reconsider his WWE dreams: a showdown with welterweight legend Georges St. Pierre. “It depends on what type pf paychecks they’re offering me for the GSP fight,” he said. “I’d love to do that fight, and prove that I’m the greatest welterweight of all time. I truly believe that from the bottom of my heart and soul, and that would be an opportunity to prove that.”
However, the pro wrestling world still has its allure. “Going over to the WWE and working with Vince McMahon and the people that work over there — they take care of their guys. They take care of their medical bills. They take care of everything.”
In the UFC, Covington pointed out, “we don’t have pensions, we don’t have anything. I would like to be going to WWE sooner than later, because they’re going to take care of me.”
If you believe that Covington is just playing a heel already, perhaps to prepare for a jump to pro wrestling, he’ll correct you. “That’s just me, man. That’s just me not being afraid of what people think of me anymore. Turn it up to 11,” he claimed. “There’s no character about me. I’m not filtered anymore, because I don’t care. Before, UFC makes you feel scared, because ‘oh if you say the wrong thing, they’re going to take your job.’ I don’t care. If you take my job, I’ll get a better job. What are you gonna do? I just don’t care anymore, and f*ck people’s feelings. I’m here to fight.”
For more of Colby Covington from the UFC 245 media day, check out the video above!
