Ali Akbar Rosady
Colby Covington, the outspoken contender known for his candid assessments, has weighed in on the recent knee injury sustained by Conor McGregor at UFC 329. While acknowledging McGregor’s significant impact on the sport, Covington notably refrained from adding to the negativity surrounding the former two-division champion’s latest setback, a stance he sharply contrasted with that of Dustin Poirier, his long-standing rival. Covington’s comments come as he prepares for his own headlining bout against Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 11 this Saturday in Milwaukee.
McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the octagon at UFC 329, marking his first fight in five years, ended in devastating fashion. The Irishman, who holds a professional mixed martial arts record of 22 wins and 7 losses (10-5 in the UFC), suffered a gruesome leg break against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, necessitating his extended absence. His comeback fight against Max Holloway, a rematch of their 2013 encounter, saw McGregor unleash a powerful kick early in the bout. This striking attempt appeared to result in a severe knee injury, which ultimately led to the cessation of the contest and a TKO victory for Holloway, whose impressive record stands at 26 wins and 8 losses (22-8 in the UFC). The exact nature and extent of McGregor’s latest injury remain subject to official medical confirmation, though he has publicly vowed to undergo surgery and stage another return.
Covington, a former interim UFC Welterweight Champion himself, underscored the magnitude of McGregor’s presence in the sport. "McGregor, you know, he’s the biggest star the sport’s ever seen," Covington stated in an interview with MMA Fighting. He elaborated on McGregor’s commercial prowess, noting, "He sold a lot of tickets. I think it was the highest gate the UFC has ever seen, so he boosted the economy for the UFC and for Vegas. So good on him for doing that. The excitement, the electricity that he brings to a UFC arena, that can’t be understated." These remarks highlight a rare moment of professional respect from Covington towards a fellow fighter, particularly one who commands such a dominant position in the global combat sports landscape.
The immediate aftermath of McGregor’s injury at UFC 329 prompted a spectrum of reactions from the fighting community, ranging from expressions of sympathy to outright condemnation. Among those who offered a less charitable perspective was Dustin Poirier, a three-time opponent of McGregor with a professional record of 30 wins, 8 losses, and 1 no-contest (22-7 in the UFC). Poirier, who secured two victories over McGregor in their trilogy, including the aforementioned leg break at UFC 264, characterized McGregor as a "dirtbag" during an appearance on the Deep Waters podcast. This sentiment from Poirier ignited a sharp retort from Covington, who seized the opportunity to launch a scathing attack on his American counterpart.
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Covington unequivocally distanced himself from Poirier’s approach, declaring his intent not to "kick him while he’s down." His criticism of Poirier was delivered with characteristic ferocity, as he asserted, "I’m not going to be like that fraud Dustin soy boy, Louisiana swamp trash Poirier." Covington further justified his stance by recalling McGregor’s past interactions with Poirier, suggesting that McGregor had played a pivotal role in elevating Poirier’s career. "Especially a guy that made Dustin’s career. He was giving Dustin great advice. He said, ‘Bro, get this in control, otherwise, your life’s going to spiral out of control.’" This perspective positions McGregor not just as an opponent, but as a figure who, according to Covington, offered valuable guidance to Poirier.
Covington then pivoted to a recent incident involving Poirier, referencing a Father’s Day arrest for public drunkenness. He used this event as a primary basis for his disparagement of Poirier’s character. Covington detailed the allegations, stating, "You see Dustin, he’s cussing at a cop, calling the little desk ladies that are just sitting there and minding their own business, doing their job, calling them hoes multiple times. It’s disgusting." He reiterated his long-held conviction regarding Poirier’s public persona, asserting, "Dustin Poirier is the biggest fake nice guy I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’ve been telling people for years. I’ve been saying Dustin’s a fake nice guy. He plays a nice guy on camera, but off camera, he’s a piece of shit person. He’s a deadbeat father, and how ironic we’re on Father’s Day and he was out there cussing out cops and calling girls hoes." In a final, provocative jab, Covington even attempted to link McGregor’s injury to Poirier’s personal accountability, remarking, "Now that I think of it, Conor’s loss is because of Dustin’s dad’s fault. Everything that Dustin was saying was his dad’s fault. He wasn’t taking any blame, no accountability. [He] said all this is because of my dad, ‘Oh my dad this,’ taking no accountability for his own actions, just blaming it all on his dad." These comments underline the deep-seated animosity and ongoing rivalry that characterize the relationship between Covington and Poirier, extending beyond the professional realm into personal attacks.
Amidst these pronouncements, Covington maintains focus on his own professional commitments. He is slated to compete in the main event of RAF 11 this Saturday in Milwaukee, where he will face Arman Tsarukyan. Covington, with a professional record of 18 wins and 4 losses (13-4 in the UFC), is a seasoned veteran known for his relentless pace and wrestling-heavy attack. His opponent, Tsarukyan, boasts an impressive record of 22 wins and 3 losses (9-2 in the UFC), establishing himself as a formidable contender. The bout represents a significant challenge for Covington as he seeks to reassert his position at the top of his respective division, regardless of the unique promotional setting.
Despite McGregor’s recent health setback and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery, Covington expressed confidence in the Irishman’s eventual return to competition. "Yeah, I do think Conor fights again," Covington affirmed. He elaborated on his belief, suggesting that McGregor possesses an intrinsic drive to compete. "He still has that fire and he still wants to compete. He has his last fight on his UFC contract, so I’m sure he wants to fulfill that and then see what the future holds for himself." Beyond contractual obligations, Covington offered a psychological assessment of McGregor’s relationship with fighting, suggesting it serves a fundamental purpose in his life. "But, Conor, he needs fighting. He really does to keep structure in his life, to keep everything sane in his mind. Fighting’s good for Conor, so he needs that structure." This perspective positions fighting not merely as a profession for McGregor, but as a crucial element for his personal well-being and stability.
Covington’s commentary provides a multifaceted view of the current landscape in combat sports, intertwining analysis of McGregor’s star power and injury with a renewed attack on Dustin Poirier, all while preparing for his own high-stakes encounter. His refusal to engage in denigration of McGregor, contrasting sharply with his vitriolic criticism of Poirier, highlights the complex dynamics and personal rivalries that continue to shape the narratives within professional mixed martial arts. As McGregor embarks on another arduous recovery process, and Covington steps into the cage at RAF 11, the discussions surrounding their careers and contentious relationships are set to continue reverberating throughout the sport.
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