Ian Machado Garry wants Colby Covington to accept his challenge.
The Dubliner, unbeaten at 14-0 (7-0 UFC) in his professional career, has made no bones of the fact that he wants former three-time title challenger Covington to be the next name on his resume on his ascent up the welterweight ladder — with the two having been embroiled in a public war of words for months now.
However, despite issuing a social media video several weeks ago in which he appeared to accept the challenge (along with a series of ‘stipulations’ for the Irishman) Covington has yet to accept the fight despite, according to Machado Garry at least, bout agreements having been drafted by the UFC.
Colby Covington is single handedly ruining #ufc303
— “The Future” Ian Machado Garry (@iangarryMMA) April 25, 2024
Machado Garry has been vocal in his desire to hold the proposed fight on the UFC 303 card that will be headlined by his compatriot Conor McGregor against Michael Chandler in late June. However, earlier this week the UFC announced what will likely be the co-main event on the card: Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.
And Machado Garry is not happy at the hold-up.
— “The Future” Ian Machado Garry (@iangarryMMA) April 24, 2024
“Colby Covington is single handedly ruining UFC 303,” Machado Garry wrote on social media on Thursday, as he amplified a series of fan messages calling for the fight to be made official.
He also shared a screengrab of what appears to be a direct message he composed to Covington: “Stop being a p*ussy your foot is fine agreed to the fight. You can’t talk all that shit and not back it up COWARD.”
The Dubliner is referring to a foot injury Covington claims he sustained in the opening round of his recent title bout opposite welterweight champion Leon Edwards.
It remains to be seen in what capacity — if any — Covington will respond but the clock is very much ticking if Machado Garry is to get his wish of fighting on a card headlined by Conor McGregor.
