Colby Covington Sounds Off On UFC. [Images via UFC]
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After Ronda Rousey, now Colby Covington has fired a jab at UFC CBO and matchmaker Hunter Campbell.
During a recent interview with streamer N3on, “Chaos” alleged that UFC fighters are forced to take whatever fights Campbell and the UFC brass offer, and if they say no, the promotion “freezes” fighters out, keeping them on the sidelines. Using top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan as an example, Covington said:
You have no say. Hunter Campbell, who is like the UFC lawyer, tells you what direction they are going to go, and either you take it or leave it. You don’t get a choice in what you want to do. They just leave you. They ice you. They won’t give you fights. They just let you sit out there and say ‘you turned down this fight. Now you’re not gonna fight for the year. You’re not gonna make money.’ They freeze you out.”
Check out Colby Covington’s comments below:
Colby Covington just EXPOSED UFC for FORCING fighters to take BAD fights and FREEZING them if they dont comply…. Says Hunter Campbell gives NO CHOICE to the fighter to pick their fights😳
"You don't get a choice.. They will freeze you out if you dont take their fights." pic.twitter.com/ocX6tbMDdl
During the same sitdown, Covington added that Tsarukyan is “definitely getting iced” due to his eleventh-hour pullout from the UFC 311 title fight against Islam Makhachev. The Armenian had to withdraw due to a hernia. To make amends, Tsarukyan made weight and served as backup for UFC 317, and then beat Dan Hooker later in 2025, after which he asked for another title shot but was denied. However, Dana White has said that due to Tsarukyan’s antics inside and outside the UFC, he is not getting a title shot.
Arman Tsarukyan has apologized to Dana White and Hunter Campbell. [Images via @arm_011 on Instagram]
During the same sit-down, when N3on asked Colby Covington whether fighters should unite to demand better pay in the UFC, “Chaos” responded that top stars like Islam Makhachev, Ilia Topuria, and others will never speak against the promotion and be a part of the revolution, as they’re already earning around $5–10 million per fight.
The thing is that those guys who would make the biggest influence, who have the biggest platform like Ilia, Islam, Khabib, those guys are getting paid so well they’re never gonna speak out against the UFC… Those guys are making $5–$10M a fight.”
Check out Colby Covington’s comments below:
Colby Covington says stars like Ilia, Islam and Khabib make $5–10M a fight 💰🔥
While talking about fighters coming together to raise their voice for better pay in the UFC, Colby Covington said:
“The thing is that those guys who would make the biggest influence, who have the… pic.twitter.com/fa2whUfEqF
Colby Covington also told N3on that the fight that fell out and was removed from the White House card a day before the bout list announcement was a superfight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. Covington said:
I heard it was Topuria vs. Makhachev. Makhachev priced himself out. He asked for too much money, and they couldn’t get the deal done at the last minute…They had to rent out the White House, so they spent so much money renting it out; they don’t want to pay like the high-level fighters.”
Check out Colby Covington’s comments below:
Per Colby Covington, the fight that fell off the White House card was Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria. 😳❌
"I heard Makhachev prices himself out; he asked for too much money, and they couldn't get the deal done at the last minute.
Dana White has, however, stated that a potential Topuria vs. Makhachev bout was never in the making for the June 14 card and that the welterweight champion is currently suffering from a hand injury.
Covington also wanted to fight at the White House, but according to “Chaos,” Hunter Campbell wants him to fight the winner of the UFC Winnipeg headliner: Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott.
“Chaos” has not entered the octagon for nearly 15 months. He also told N3on during the candid chat that he feels his body is “slowing down” and expects to bid farewell to the UFC in the next year.
Covington, who loves to play the heel, confessed to N3on that he leans into that villainous role to sell fights and secure a better contract.
They just don’t understand that I had to do this to sell my work and to get people to watch me fight, so the UFC would notice me and give me a better contract.”
Check out Colby Covington’s comments below:
Colby Covington says he’s often misjudged, but his actions are to get noticed and earn a better UFC contract🥺
“They just don’t understand that I had to do this to sell my work and to get people to watch me fight, so the UFC would notice me and give me a better contract.”
First thing you do after you weigh in, you sign a contract that says, ‘Hey, if you die in the UFC octagon tomorrow, your family cannot sue us.’ You sign this contract that says, ‘Hey, if you die tomorrow, you’re signing off, it’s okay.'”
Check out Colby Covington’s comments below:
Colby Covington exposes the brutal reality of UFC contracts – fighters accept the risk of death in the octagon 🤯👀
“First thing you do after you weigh in, you sign a contract that says, ‘Hey, if you die in the UFC octagon tomorrow, your family cannot sue us.’ You sign this… pic.twitter.com/EXC1YZvi66
Subham is a writer and editor with experience spanning MMA, Health & Fitness, true crime, and pop culture. He has previously worked with Sportskeeda MMA, SK True Crime, and SK Pop, Movies, and Shows.
He currently covers the UFC for LowKickMMA and MMA Pros Picks.
