Dustin Poirier and Colby Covington, former interim champions in the UFC, have been embroiled in a bitter rivalry that dates back to 2020. The feud intensified when Covington was ousted from American Top Team (ATT), where he was unpopular due to issues with fighters like Poirier and Jorge Masvidal.
The animosity between Poirier and Covington has been simmering for years, with both fighters taking verbal shots at each other in the media. Poirier has accused Covington of seeking publicity, while Covington has labeled Poirier an "egomaniac."
Conflicting Accounts of a Run-In
Recently, the pair reportedly crossed paths in Florida, leading to conflicting accounts of what transpired. Covington detailed a run-in at NYY Steakhouse in Coconut Creek Casino, claiming that he stood up to Poirier, who then "walked right out of the restaurant like a good little b--."
However, Poirier vehemently denies Covington's version of events. "The dude is such a liar," Poirier told MMA Junkie. "It's a lie. We ran into each other, yeah, that's true. The way he said it went down, is completely not true." Poirier has been reluctant to provide further details, not wanting to give Covington a platform for his trash talk.
Covington's Apology and Subsequent Insults
In an interview with Submission Radio, Covington initially apologized to Poirier for breaking a promise to ATT head Dan Lambert not to escalate the feud. He expressed regret for "hurting your feelings and saying some words in the past that might have hurt your feelings." However, this change in tone was short-lived, as Covington later reverted to his usual trash-talking persona.
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Despite Poirier's clear disinterest in fighting Covington, 'Chaos' has continued to berate Poirier for retiring before settling their differences in the octagon.
Covington's Comments on Poirier's Retirement
During a recent Q&A session on his YouTube channel, Covington slammed Poirier for retiring before fighting him, saying, "He's been scared of my shadow for years, ever since we trained together at that old gym." Covington also accused Poirier of being a "little cuck" and "Louisiana swamp trash."
It appears that Covington is motivated to reignite the feud with Poirier, even if it means resorting to personal insults and online attacks.
Poirier's Reluctance to Fight Covington
Poirier has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of ever facing Covington in the octagon. "It's cute," Poirier told ESPN backstage during Saturday's UFC Fight Night 203 event. "It's all good. It is what it is. People want big fights. That's a big fight. He wants big fights. Obviously he's not in line for the title fight. He lost twice to the champ, so he probably needs a few more wins."
Poirier has also expressed a desire to fight Nate Diaz, which he sees as a more exciting and fan-friendly matchup than a fight with Covington. "Nate Diaz is a fight I want," Poirier said. "I've been watching him and his brother forever, so it's exciting for me. It would be a fun matchup for the fans. That's more likely than the Colby fight."
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Poirier's Reasons for Avoiding the Fight
Poirier has cited several reasons for his reluctance to fight Covington, including:
- Not wanting to give Covington a platform for his trash talk.
- Believing that Covington is using the feud to generate publicity.
- Prioritizing more exciting and fan-friendly matchups.
- Not wanting to give Covington the satisfaction of a payday.
Does Colby Covington vs Dustin Poirier NEED to happen?
The Fight That Never Was
Despite Poirier's public statements that he would fight Covington, the latter claimed that the UFC offered them the match, but "The Diamond" declined. Covington has repeatedly accused Poirier of being "afraid" to fight him and has criticized him for "picking and choosing his fights."
The feud between Poirier and Covington continues to simmer, with no resolution in sight. While Covington seems eager to settle the score in the octagon, Poirier remains steadfast in his refusal to give his rival the satisfaction.
Key Figures in the Poirier-Covington Feud
| Figure | Role |
|---|---|
| Dustin Poirier | One of the fighters in the feud; former interim lightweight champion |
| Colby Covington | One of the fighters in the feud; former interim welterweight champion |
| Dan Lambert | Head of American Top Team; attempted to mediate the feud |
| Jorge Masvidal | Former ATT teammate of Covington; also had a feud with Covington |
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