Amid the turbulence in his professional MMA career, 37-year-old welterweight contender Colby Covington made headlines across multiple UFC divisions. Currently enduring a difficult run with three losses in his last four fights and three missed title opportunities, Covington hinted at moving on from the welterweight division. In an interview with Submission Radio, he revealed a potential interest in stepping up to the middleweight division, stating, “Honestly, 185 is intriguing. I think it would be kind of cool to go up there.” He further expressed enthusiasm about a potential fight with Sean Strickland, describing it as “interesting.” The remarks sparked excitement among fans, given the pair’s shared history.

But can this matchup realistically happen? MMA veteran Michael Bisping weighed in on the matter during a recent episode of his YouTube podcast. Bisping dismissed Covington’s ambitions at 185 pounds, citing his smaller frame as a major disadvantage. “Colby’s too small. Simple as that,” the former middleweight champion said, casting doubt on Covington’s ability to compete effectively in the middleweight division.

Meanwhile, Sean Strickland is preparing for a rematch against reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 in Australia. ‘Tarzan’ hopes to avenge his previous split-decision loss to ‘Stillknocks’. Bisping lauded Strickland’s “tricky” ground game and “decent” wrestling while analyzing why Colby Covington might struggle if he transitions to middleweight.

Taking all these factors into account, Michael Bisping firmly shut down the likelihood of a Covington-Strickland clash in the near future. He noted that if Strickland emerges victorious in his rematch with Du Plessis, Covington’s chances of securing a fight against him would be slim. Reflecting on Covington’s prior struggles in title fights, Bisping remarked, “You’ve had three title fights at 170, but you’re not going to walk into a title fight in your debut at 185 pounds.”

Earlier this year, speculation arose about the welterweight star potentially moving down to 155 pounds. It made sense for the natural welterweight to test his luck at 155. However, as time passes and age becomes a factor, Colby Covington appears to have shifted his sights to middleweight instead. A wise decision, if you consider his age and weight cut drains. He recently opened up about his reasons for ruling out a move to the lightweight division. Keep reading to learn more.

Colby Covington takes aim at “Weight Bullies” Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev

Khabib Nurmagomedov, the MMA legend, has long faced criticism for being a “weight bully,” a label often attached to his struggles with extreme weight cuts. His medical history reveals the challenges he endured to make weight, including severe health complications that even led to hospitalizations. These issues infamously caused the cancellation of high-profile bouts, such as his anticipated clash with Tony Ferguson.

Years later, Khabib’s protégé and close friend, Islam Makhachev, finds himself under similar scrutiny. Critics accuse Makhachev of using the same weight-cutting tactics to gain a competitive edge. Colby Covington, an outspoken opponent of weight bullying, has been a consistent advocate for fighters competing in their natural weight classes to avoid injuries and ensure long-term health.

In a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Colby Covington doubled down on his stance, calling out both Makhachev and Nurmagomedov for their controversial practices. He remarked:

“Colby realized that he doesn’t want to kill himself. He doesn’t want to be a weight bully. You know Islam [Makhachev], these guys at lightweight, the Khabibs [Nurmagomedov] of the world, they’re little lightweight bullies. They just have such a weight advantage of 30-40 pounds, but it’s just not healthy… I don’t see myself ever trying to go to [155 pounds].”

What do you think of Michael Bisping’s perspective on Colby Covington’s potential move to the middleweight division? Do you agree that the Clovis native may struggle in this weight class, especially considering his age? Also, if the welterweight were to face Sean Strickland in the octagon, do you believe he could come out on top? Share your thoughts below!