Colby Covington "doesn't want to kill himself" at lightweight but willing to face Sean Strickland at 185 pounds: "He's just a cardio kickboxer"

For years, Colby Covington has denounced the prevalence of "weight bullies" in the sport and claimed that fighters should compete at their natural weight. The outspoken welterweight contender recently dismissed the idea of cutting to lightweight considering the severe health risks and his commitment to competing at his natural weight. Instead, he's seemingly targeting a move to middleweight to test himself against former divisional champion Sean Strickland.

During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Covington shed light on his options after the recent loss to Joaquin Buckley. He stated that he has no interest in being a "weight bully" by competing in lightweight and highlighted the impact of extreme weight cuts and their long-term health implications.

Instead, Covington finds the idea of moving up to 185 pounds intriguing. He suggested he would undergo a heavy lifting program to add muscle and power while maintaining his speed. 'Chaos' views Strickland as an ideal opponent, labeling him a basic “cardio kickboxer” with limited weapons.

Speaking in the aforementioned interview with Submission Radio, Covington said:

"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] even though I know I could make it and I'd probably be way stronger... But [185 pounds] honestly is intriguing."

Covington added:

"I mean the Sean Strickland fight's always interesting. He's had his things to say about me in the past. I don't think he's any special... He's got a jab, he's got a front kick but besides that, you shut down those weapons down and he's very limited. He's just a cardio kickboxer essentially so you know I don't think I don't see any threats."

Check out Colby Covington's comments below (28:50):

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When Sean Strickland labeled Colby Covington an "utter piece of sh*t"

The potential clash between Colby Covington and Sean Strickland is not one without history. In the past, the pair have exchanged heated words, with Strickland unleashing a blistering tirade against Covington at the UFC 297 press conference, calling him an "utter piece of s***" for insulting Leon Edwards’ late father.

Strickland accused Covington of betraying the values of blue-collar Americans while exploiting his persona for attention. He said:

“Colby is an utter piece of sh*t. And him making fun of Leon’s dad, that is the biggest fu*king c*nt move you can do. That is the biggest c*nt move you can do. Leon’s mom [and] dad good guy, bad guy, doesn’t fu*king matter. She raised a boy to be a fu*king man, to win a title, to be a good man, and a real fu*king American would applaud him for that. They wouldn’t tear him down for that."

Check out Sean Strickland's comments below: