Colby Covington Eyes Middleweight Jump for Blockbuster Clash Against Former Champion Israel Adesanya
Colby Covington has stayed away from the Octagon since his stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa, drawing criticism and concern. The veteran insisted the doctor ended the fight prematurely, claiming he was still capable of defending himself.
It was Covington’s second consecutive defeat, leaving many fans questioning his long-term future in the competitive welterweight division. Several experts have doubted whether the former interim champion can realistically recover his previous form after recent disappointing performances.
Despite criticism, the controversial fighter believes major adjustments could help him restart his stalled career with renewed determination. Covington recently revealed interest in moving to middleweight, naming a preferred opponent for a potential debut during an interview.
“I know I can do well at middleweight. They may be bigger, they may hit harder but they’re a lot slower. I’m just as strong as them, I’m putting on a lot of size these days…I think someone like Israel Adesanya intrigues me… He’s talked a lot of sh*t about me in the past, let’s see if he can back it up,” said Colby Covington via Submission Radio.
Israel Adesanya is enduring a difficult slump, losing his last three fights while struggling against younger, faster-rising contenders. He also shares an old personal beef with Covington, making this matchup intriguing and potentially marketable for the promotion.
Meanwhile, Covington has also called out former champion Sean Strickland, citing unresolved rivalry and long-standing unfinished business between them. It would be interesting to see whether this plan works out for the veteran in 2026.
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Colby Covington wants to become a middleweight champion
Colby Covington recently defeated Luke Rockhold in a grappling match, then delivered several interviews that quickly went viral online. This surge of attention boosted his confidence significantly, encouraging talk of a dramatic UFC comeback. He has made plans to stack wins before challenging Khamzat Chimaev for gold.
“We were supposed to fight at welterweight in the past. It’s a great fight for me. He’s not gonna hold me down. I’ll get right up. So he’s not gonna be holding me like his last fight with Dricus; it’ll be a completely different fight,” Colby Covington continued.
Khamzat Chimaev is famous for dominant wrestling and won the title by controlling Dricus Du Plessis across five exhausting rounds. While Du Plessis struggled defending takedowns, Colby Covington is respected for wrestling ability, pace, and disciplined cardio during fights.
However, the significant size difference could create serious challenges for Covington when facing Chimaev in the middleweight division eventually. However, before that, the ‘Chaos’ needs to build back its momentum as soon as possible.
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