Colby Covington isn’t rushing back into the octagon.

Things didn’t go in favor of “Chaos” his last time out. Challenging UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in December, Covington fell flat in arguably the worst performance of his 21-fight career (17-4), losing a unanimous decision in the main event.

Since the third undisputed UFC title loss, Covington has claimed to have broken his foot on the first kick thrown against Edwards. In the immediate aftermath, he targeted a matchup with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson before turning his attention to the rising contender Ian Machado Garry the following month. Covington verbally attacked Garry and his family in a few comments before making an offer to the undefeated 14-0 Irishman. However, Covington eventually went back on his proposal and Garry went on to get matched against Michael “Venom” Page for UFC 303 next Saturday night.

Throughout the brief saga, former two-division UFC champion and current commentator Daniel Cormier expressed how he felt Covington backed himself into a corner with how heavily he went at Garry. The welterweight stalwart didn’t take too kindly to the sentiment despite a good relationship with “D.C.”

“I love Daniel Cormier, as well — he’s a friend of mine. But everybody knows he’s a media head now, so he’ll do anything to get some clickbait,” Covington said on SOSCAST. “Who’s the easiest name in the UFC to get some clickbait off of? Oh, trash Colby Covington — say some mean things about him and you will get some sympathy from the fans and from the media people because all of the people are liberal leftists anyway. Daniel doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He’s never been the A-side, so he doesn’t know what it’s like to call his shots and wait for the right opportunities. The biggest thing is I’ve got to get healthy.”

Covington, 36, hasn’t been the most active fighter in recent years, competing once per year since 2019. Regardless of that, he’s battled for titles every other year he’s been in the octagon. Comparatively, Garry began his career in February 2019.

Ultimately, Covington isn’t back to full health just yet. At least not for a “big fight,” which Garry is not, according to him.

“I’m not going to rush out there on someone else’s timeline,” Covington said. “I’m on my own timeline. The UFC knows that. I’m already a superstar and I’ve made so much money I don’t need to fight ever again. It’s really on my time, and I’ll fight when I’m ready to fight and when I’m healthy. I want big fights. This kid’s a nobody. He just got a split decision over the 12th-ranked kid. I’ve been fighting world champion after world champion for the last seven years straight. So why does this kid deserve to fight me? He’s literally the B-side and thinks he calls the shots and is the A-side. I’m going to get healthy and I’m going to look for the biggest and best fights possible.”

TOP STORIES

Update. Report: Ryan Garcia receives 1-year suspension for failed drug test, Devin Haney win overturned

Comparison. Robert Whittaker: Ikram Aliskerov ‘might be’ more dangerous than Khamzat Chimaev

Awful. Kelvin Gastelum laments ‘rough weight cut’, Daniel Rodriguez says he’s agreed to fight at 185 for UFC Saudi Arabia

Odd. Dana White explains why it was ‘impossible’ for Ronda Rousey to grow and evolve as a fighter in the UFC

Honesty. Joilton Lutterbach admits ‘I actually used juice’ before signing for short-notice UFC Saudi Arabia fight

Champ. Antonio Carlos Junior: Quick finish in PFL return ‘lifted a truck off my shoulders’

Robbed. UFC Vegas 93 winner Westin Wilson reacts to not getting $50K bonus — after reading report he did

Jits. Kade Ruotolo explains choosing Craig Jones Invitational over ADCC

Critique. Jake Paul trashes Conor McGregor after latest misstep in his comeback: ‘He’s embarrassing himself’

LET’S WATCH

Between the Links.

UFC Saudi Arabia Media Day.

Best of Pavlovich.

Aliskerov BTS.

RIZIN Confessions 153.

PFL Fight Week.

Talking Sh*t.

Bellator Fight Week.

Almighty UFC 304 Fight Camp.

Fancy Ham Sandwich.

MORNING MUSIC

Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or find one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re currently really into. I’ll pick the best one alongside my daily choice and give you a shoutout! You can also share in the comments below — those are just harder to sift through sometimes!

SOCIAL SCROLL DOWN

Little jiu-jitsu, Big Country.

All-time classic.

Har-har.

Hinting?

Squad.

A wild GSP appears.

Art.

Whoa.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mohammed Usman (11-3) vs. Thomas Peterson (8-2); UFC Vegas 94, July 20

FINAL THOUGHTS

Covington doing everything in his power to get a fight with the evil, dastardly Wonderboy.

Happy Friday, gang. Hope you have a good one and enjoy all the action this weekend. Thanks for reading and we’ll see you on Monday!

EXIT POLL

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.