UFC champ Alex Volkanovski has hit back at Colby Covington after US star brands him boring
As he prepares to feature on the Ultimate Fighter, Aussie UFC champion Alex Volkanovski has found himself trading barbs with an outspoken US fighter who competes two weight classes heavier.
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UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski has urged American Colby Covington to “stop crying and get yourself a fight” after the pair traded barbs over the Aussie’s new role on The Ultimate Fighter television series.
Currently quarantining in a Sydney hotel, Volkanovski is finally back home after spending six weeks in Las Vegas filming the famed reality TV series, the latest instalment of which debuts on ESPN this Wednesday at 9.30pm.
While the show pits the Wollongong slugger against American Brian Ortega, who he will defend against in either August or September, the 32-year-old has also found himself trading barbs on social media this week with Covington, despite the outspoken welterweight competing two weight classes heavier.
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Prior to Volkanovski and Ortega being announced as coaches for the new TUF 29 season, rumors were swirling Covington could himself be part of the show.
Quizzed on the issue in an interview this week, Covington suggested UFC president Dana White would now be “smacking himself in the head” over the decision to appoint Volkanovski and Ortega instead.
“Those guys are going to make a complete mockery of the show,” Covington said. “There’s just no entertainment factor there.
“Yeah, they’re decent fighters for the little weights, for the little midgets, but they don’t sell.
“There’s no controversy, there’s no drama, there’s nothing. There’s no storyline. I feel bad for the show.”
To which Volkanovski says what?
“The guy needs to stop crying and get himself into a title fight,” he said. “Don’t cry like a baby because you didn’t get this opportunity.
“Suck it up and get into training.
“Get yourself a fight and keep my name out of your mouth.”
Volkanovski added that Covington was “sour” after not only being overlooked for a TUF coaching role against arch rival Jorge Masvidal, but also waiting longer than he had hoped to land another title fight.
“So he can say what he wants about me (not being entertaining),” Volkanovski continued. “At least I’m real.
“Colby Covington literally plays a character to stay relevant.
“But nobody cares about him. Right now, he’s sitting on the sidelines, waiting for a title shot to be given to him.
“Nobody is talking about him and he’s got the s***s about that.”
Apart from his beef with Covington, Volkanovski also revealed things get extremely heated on set between himself and Ortega.
“I can’t say too much,” he said. “But it’s a fight show and there is some physicality in there.
“You can definitely say we’re not friends.
“He (Ortega) annoys me. And it only took one day of filming.
“While the guy is quiet, you can tell by the little remarks he makes that he’s also full of himself.
“And you know me.
“I’m not a trash talker.
“But still, if I disagree with someone, if I think somebody is wrong, I’ll call them out on it.
“And he got me to that point where I felt like I needed to say something.”
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Originally published as UFC champ Alex Volkanovski has hit back at Colby Covington after US star brands him boring
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