‘Coward’ Covington hasn’t said yes to fighting me

Online videos were exchanged, but Ian Machado Garry doubts Colby Covington actually wants to fight him.

Garry (14-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) called out Covington after defeating Geoff Neal at UFC 298, and Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) eventually responded to his challenge – but with stipulations.

Covington’s stipulations were surrounding Garry’s wife, Layla, but Garry thinks the former interim champion is just trying to delay the process.

“Weak – it was weak,” Garry told Sky Sports on Covington’s video. “That’s the truth, and we came back with a better clapback. I thought it’s weak considering that he didn’t mention me. Nothing was to do about fighting me.

“This is the thing: He’s trying to avoid me. He doesn’t want to talk about the fight. He’s a man of excuses. The truth is, let’s see if he signs the contract. Let’s see if he steps into the octagon, or if he just tries to run, or if he just tries to extend it and make it. In my mind, he’s a coward.”

Garry can’t say there are ongoing negotiations with the UFC to fight Covington, and if the fight doesn’t materialize, it won’t be because of him.

“I can tell you I’m the one who called him out in the octagon,” Garry said. “I’m the one who’s been hounding the UFC. He hasn’t said yes. That’s it. It’s on him. He hasn’t signed no contract. It’s on him.”

Garry threw a stipulation of his own, paying homage to TKO Group Holdings Inc.’s WWE’s “I Quit” match, in which he wants the loser to never compete in MMA again.

“I’m going to make Colby say (‘I quit’) – that’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to have him, pounding his face on the canvas. I’m going to point his face at Donald Trump, and I’m going to be like, ‘Say it – say it to your president. Don’t say it to me. Say it to Trump. I want him to look into your eyes when you say (“I quit”).’”