Colby Covington gives up on Tyron Woodley pursuit, wants Stephen Thompson in title eliminator

Colby Covington has not been quiet in his pursuit of UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. After defeating Demian Maia via decision this past October, Covington has been trying his best to stand out among every other contender at 170 pounds and really make his push for a title shot.

Unfortunately for the 30-year-old, UFC would rather see Woodley defend his title opposite former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, who is coming off a masterful performance opposite Robbie Lawler back at UFC on FOX 26. As you could have imagined, Covington is not happy with the promotion’s decision to lean towards a Woodley vs. RDA pairing.

“I don’t get why UFC wants to do RDA-Woodley. I mean, RDA is 3-2 in his last five,” Covington told BJPenn.com Radio earlier this week. “Last five fights, I’m 5-0, so RDA was just getting melted by lightweights last year. Eddie Alvarez. The guy’s a complete bum. He’s just looking to piggyback and get one more fight, then he’s out of the game man.”

“And that’s what these guys don’t understand,” he continued. “I’m the future. These guys are all old, at the end of their careers. I’m just getting started. I’m just getting warmed up. You haven’t even seen my potential yet.”

Despite the unlikelihood of Covington landing a welterweight title shot his next time out, the outspoken American Top Team standout is still in a good position at 170 pounds. So even if he has to wait to get his hands on “Chosen One,” Covington can still score a high-profile matchup against the likes of two-time title challenger Stephen Thompson.

“Yeah, I mean, if the UFC’s gonna do RDA vs. Woodley, then I guess I am fighting Stephen Thompson on the same card as them,” Covington said. “So I’m lined up, so I can get the winner of that next fight after I put choir boy out to the pasture. But you are gonna have to ask [Thompson’s] daddy, if he’s gonna let him fight. I’m not sure if his dad is gonna let him fight.”

While nobody in the welterweight division is “running” from Covington, he is an extremely dangerous out for anybody in the top five, let alone the top 10. It makes a ton of sense for Covington to duke it out with Thompson later this year, but “Wonderboy” has already been linked to a bout with rising contender Darren Till, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what the promotion has in store at 170 pounds.

“I’ve just barely gotten started,” Covington said. “So, when the dust settles, I still will be here and I will take my throne because that is my throne. There’s no doubt about it. These guys, they’re running from me.”