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At this point, we all know the story. Once best of friends, now bitter rivals. It wasn’t so long ago that fans could see video of Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington romping together in their shared apartment. In terms of their relationship now, however? That’s all ancient history.
Masvidal and Covington’s relationship first started to sour over accusations that ‘Chaos’ owed money to a mutual coach, and was refusing to pay up. The feud eventually got so bad that Covington had to exit American Top Team. The UFC built the bad blood into a bout, which the former NCAA All American won easily.
That should have put their rivalry to bed, but then Masvidal apparently decided to seek his revenge out on the streets, allegedly jumping Covington outside a Miami restaurant in March of last year. Masvidal was arrested on aggravated battery charges; the court case is still pending.
All that said, it’s no surprise that Colby Covington has some serious doubts about Jorge Masvidal’s recent retirement announcement. “Chaos” even has some theories on his former training partner’s career and what he thinks would be Masvidal’s next move.
Colby Covington slams Masvidal’s ‘fake retirement’
Early this month at UFC 287, the 38-year-old Masvidal announced his retirement after two decades of professional competition. Although he teased it in the leadup to the bout, he made the move official immediately following his decision loss to Gilbert Burns in the co-main event.
“Sometimes your favorite basketball player ain’t got that three-pointer no more,” Masvidal told Joe Rogan during the Octagon interview.
“I don’t feel the same way when I get in here no more. It’s been 20 long years. I love all of you. UFC came here 20 years ago, and it inspired me to chase this dream for 20 years and 50-something fights later.”
But for Colby Covington, Masvidal’s retirement is anything but a done deal.
“I retired him last March when we fought here at the T-Mobile Arena in 2022,” Covington told Inside Fighting backstage at the Gervona Davis-Ryan Garica bout on Saturday. “He hasn’t been the same. I took away his confidence, his ego. He hasn’t been the same fighter. He just showed up for a paycheck his last fight.
“It’s a fake retirement. We all know people in the UFC, they’ll retire, they’ll get out of the USADA pool, probably go do some steroids then come back. He doesn’t know how to make money any other way but fighting.
“He’s not really retired. That guy’s dumber than f—k in the head. He’s not gonna be able to make money any other way but fighting. I can guarantee you he’ll be back to get a paycheck.”
Jorge Masvidal on cheating accusations
Interestingly, this wasn’t the only cheating accusation lobbed Masvidal’s way surrounding his bout at UFC 287. His opponent, Gilbert Burns also accused ‘Gamebred’ of greasing ahead of their bout. It was a charge Masvidal thoroughly denied.
“I’ve never put on anything in my life for forever. I’ve never done that in my life. Maybe he should blame his technique for f—king being shitty, not being able to do anything but just hold on the ground.
“I’ve never cheated.”
As for PED use? Masvidal had this to say ahead of his “BMF” title fight against Nate Diaz in 2019.
“Like Nate, I’ve never used steroids.I don’t think that dude has either. I don’t live with him, so I don’t know. But his body hasn’t really changed. He gets in better shape. Some fights, maybe he didn’t take it as seriously and wasn’t in crazy shape.
“But I don’t think he’s ever done steroids. I’ve never done steroids. That might be a big thing toward the longevity.”
Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal part 2?
Even after their UFC 272 bout and the ensuing (alleged) street scuffle between them in 2022, the bad blood between Covington and Masvidal remains at an all-time high. Right before UFC 287 and his retirement declaration, Masvidal vowed to commit “legal murder”, when asked about the possibility of ever getting a rematch with his best frenemy.
Colby Covington, for his part, is willing to make it happen.
“Anywhere he wants to fight. He’s easy money. The only way he’s gonna beat me is if he runs behind me, hides in the bushes and hits me at the back of the head.”
For now, Colby Covington has his sights set on facing undisputed welterweight champion Leon Edwards, as announced by UFC president Dana White. That booking has yet to be finalized.
As for Masvidal, he runs his very own Gamebred Boxing promotions, and held its fourth event this month. It was headlined by a matchup between former UFC champion Anthony Pettis and boxing great Roy Jones Jr. Fighter salaries for the event reportedly reached almost $3 million combined. Not long after the event, Masvidal announced the signing of former Ultimate Fighter winner Roy Nelson for a bare knuckle MMA show on May 5th in Sunrise, FL.
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