Belal Muhammad Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports

Belal Muhammad calls out ‘coward’ Colby Covington for avoiding him

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/23/23

There are plenty of reasons for Belal Muhammad to dislike Colby Covington. Watching the welterweight contender, who’s 0-2 in title matches, get handed a third shot at the 170-pound belt after reportedly dodging him for months ranks right up at the top.

“I wanted to fight this coward,” Muhammad told MMAFighting.com. “I wanted to fight this loser, this sissy, this freaking Karen that goes to call the cops on people. I wanted to fight this guy because I hate this guy. That’s the fight that I wanted and he said no. … he’s the one that turned it down. So why is he being rewarded? Why is he getting a title shot?”

Belal Muhammad is the clear number 1 contender for the 170lb belt

Dana is pushing for Covington to fight for the title

With the bad blood between the two, It makes more sense that they fight each other to determine the number 1 contender
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) March 22, 2023

According to Muhammad, UFC officials offered him an opportunity to coach opposite Covington on a season of “The Ultimate Fighter” where the two would have fought after the season. Covington shot it down.

Once “The Ultimate Fighter” idea was scrapped, the two were scheduled to just on a card in May 6, but Covington again said no. Then Muhammad was told he’d get his shot at the former title contender at last weekend’s UFC 286 event in London. Covington again rebuffed the idea.

“The coward cowarded out,” Muhammad added. “That’s what he does. He says no to fights.”

Muhammad, who’s on a four-fight win streak and hasn’t lost in his last nine fights, was on the short list of potential title contenders following his TKO win over formerly undefeated welterweight Sean Brady in October.

The No. 4-ranked welterweight fighter in the UFC, Muhammad could be next in line to face the winner of the rumored future Covington-Leon Edwards title fight if he wins his bout against No. 6-ranked Shavkat Rakhmonov.

More must-reads: