Colby Covington Considering Taking UFC To Court over Welterweight Title Snub

Colby Covington has made it known that he’s unhappy with the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s decision to bypass him for a title shot against Tyron Woodley in favor of Kamaru Usman, but now it appears he’s considering doing more than just complaining.

“Chaos” captured the 170-pound interim belt with a dominant display over five rounds against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 in June. The UFC then contacted Covington for a unification fight against undisputed champion Woodley in November at UFC 228, but the outspoken 30-year-old declined the offer, deciding to undergo nasal surgery instead. That decision didn’t sit well with UFC President Dana White who awarded Usman the opportunity instead, booking Woodley-Usman as the co-main event of UFC 235 and recently telling reporters that Covington would need to earn his shot again.

Covington has suggested he may look at taking his employers to court after denying him the title shot and explained the situation on a recent episode of MMAJunkie Radio:

“We may have to go to court, and this may be a lawsuit, because let’s be honest: If (Tom) Brady wins the AFC championship … and just all of a sudden Roger Goodell says, ‘You’re not going to the Super Bowl because we don’t like you’ – no, that’s not how it works,” Covington said. “If the UFC wants to be a circus and be a corrupt business and go about their business, then that’s their problem. I’m standing up for what I believe in. I’m not backing down. I don’t care what Uncle Fester has to say. I’m the No. 1 ranked fighter in the world. Go look it up on the UFC website. I had a belt wrapped around my waist by Uncle Fester. I was the only fighter to go the White House. What else do you have to do? What’s the criteria to get a title shot these days?”