Colby Covington: ‘I’m way too handsome to lose to a guy like Demian Maia’
Colby Covington is more than assured about his chances in his upcoming fight against Demian Maia.
Welterweight contender Colby Covington has been an outspoken figure in the UFC, to say the least. In his verbal tirades, he has so far targeted “mentally weak” Tyron Woodley, as well as Dong Hyun Kim and all judo practitioners, who for him are “leftover wrestlers that couldn’t make the team.”
Currently on a four-fight win streak, Covington is slated to face Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 119 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. And so far, he is liking his chances.
“Demian Maia is a one-trick pony,” Covington told MMA Junkie. “He’s the same fighter he’s been his whole career. He’s not just going to change his game plan. He’s not a tricky guy to prepare for with the skill set that I have. The guys that he fought in the past don’t have the skill set that I have.”
“He’s only going to try and come out there, take me down, get to the back, submit me. That’s not going to happen. My wrestling is on a different level than anyone he’s ever fought. My striking – I’m more athletic. I’m way too handsome to lose to a guy like that.”
Covington did clarify that he does respect Maia’s accomplishments, and this is the exact reason why he intends to finish the fight in impressive fashion.
“I do respect the guy. That’s why I’m going to put him to sleep in the first round. It won’t be pretty. I know Halloween is coming up, so it’s going to be a nightmare in Sao Paulo for him.”
“Mark my words, you heard it here first in this interview: I will be welterweight champion early beginning of next year,” Covington added. “Tyron Woodley can’t top me and Demian Maia has no chance to stop me.”
UFC Fight Night 119 is scheduled for October 28th. It will be headlined by the return fight of former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, who takes on Derek Brunson.