After a formidable first-round end towards Tony Ferguson in Abu Dhabi, TUF alumnus Michael Chiesa has the proper opponent in thoughts for his subsequent look.
Chiesa’s appearances contained in the Octagon have been few and much between lately, however ‘Maverick’ is able to get proper again to work after placing away the previous interim light-weight titleholder with relative ease inside Etihad Enviornment.

Throughout a post-fight interview, Chiesa referred to as for a conflict with three-time title challenger Colby Covington to find out who one of the best wrestler within the Pacific Northwest really is.
“I need to struggle Colby Covington. I’ve been saying this for years,” Chiesa mentioned. “That man can sit on the sidelines and say no matter he needs. I’m not chasing the rating. I don’t give a sh*t. I simply need to discover out who’s one of the best fighter. Who’s one of the best welterweight within the Pacific Northwest? I do know he resides in Dade County, Mr. 305, however let’s discover out who’s one of the best within the Northwest. Is it me or is it you?
“That’s what I need to discover out. Are you going to idly sit down and do nothing? Or are you going to return again and struggle? Preserve your rating, I don’t give a sh*t. I simply need to discover out who’s one of the best within the Northwest” (h/t Sherdog).


Colby Covington clings to his No. 4 rating regardless of little exercise and even fewer wins
Like Chiesa, Covington is 2-3 in his final 5, although ‘Chaos’ is barely averaging one struggle per 12 months at this level. Nonetheless, that hasn’t stopped the staunch MAGA supporter from speaking his approach right into a title alternative — or three of them. Covington got here up quick in all three bids, shedding to Kamaru Usman twice earlier than getting shut down by Leon Edwards in his final outing.


Covington seemed to be on a collision course with rising contender Ian Machado Garry after ‘Chaos’ shared some distasteful remarks concerning Garry’s marriage to TV persona Layla Machado Garry. Sadly, curiosity in that struggle rapidly waned after ‘The Future’ claimed Covington had declined the UFC’s provide to make it occur.
Covington has since denied that the promotion ever supplied him the struggle.


Regardless of his restricted exercise and nil wins over anybody within the present welterweight high 15, Covington continues to cling to his No. 4 rating, making him a goal for fighters like Garry who’s steadily working his approach up the ladder.
Nonetheless, it seems like ‘Chaos’ is extra fascinated about ready for undeserved title fights or marquee matchups towards fighters on an energetic shedding streak.

