Colby Covington turns down UFC contract offer for Ian Machado Garry

Ian Machado Garry says one thing, Colby Covington says another.

It appears there are contrasting stories about a potential fight between the two welterweights. For weeks, Garry (14-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has been saying contract offers have been sent out for a fight, and he’s been urging Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) to sign his deal to close the grudge match official.

However, that is not the case, at least according to Covington.

“We all know he’s a jerk, but now we know he’s a liar,” Covington told The Rush podcast. “UFC, Hunter (Campbell), Dana (White), they didn’t talk to me about this fight. This fight was not presented. He’s just lying and trying to get clickbait and people to talk about him.

Covington says he hasn’t been booked for a fight yet, but is ready and waiting for an offer from the UFC. The longtime welterweight contender is coming off a unanimous decision loss to champion Leon Edwards in December.

He would be interested in fighting Garry, but he is worried about Garry not showing up for the fight. That’s why he insists that all three conditions must be met to show he’s serious about fighting.

“I don’t know who I’m fighting,” Covington said. “I gave him conditions. I said, ‘Hey, if you want to fight me and you’re serious about business, just show me you’re serious because when I show up, I want to make money because I’m trying to make good deals.’

“We already saw in our last press conference that he didn’t show up because he knew I was going to have a live mic. He’s already scared to show up at a press conference when he’s not fighting me, what’s going to happen when he’s at a press conference and he has to fight me. He probably won’t come. I gave him conditions. If you want to beat me and show you’re serious about business, turn on your comments.