Khabib Nurmagomedov's manager gives five-word reaction to Colby Covington's backstage skirmish with Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314

MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz, known for representing elite fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, has reacted to the backstage altercation between Paddy Pimblett and Colby Covington at the recently concluded UFC 314 event.

In the co-headliner of the event, Pimblett scored a third-round TKO victory over former title challenger Michael Chandler. During Pimblett's post-fight interview, a verbal confrontation erupted between him and Covington, who seemed to downplay 'The Baddy's' win and the caliber of his UFC opponents, stating:

“You’re fighting scrubs. Guys who are 2-6. You’re a bum. You beat guys who are 2-6, remember that. Remember that, you’re a scrub. You’re a fraud.”

In retaliation, Pimblett took a jab at Covington regarding his recent losing streak. As the two approached each other, those present intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.

Check out Paddy Pimblett and Colby Covington's altercation below:

Abdelaziz reacted to the video of this altercation posted on ESPN MMA's X handle, writing:

"I hope paddy slap him."

Abdelaziz is known for becoming involved in the rivalries of his fighters. Covington and former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who was also represented by Abdelaziz, were once engaged in an intense rivalry.

'Chaos,' one of the most polarizing figures in MMA, often utilizes trash talk and controversial comments to promote his fights. His promotional strategies resulted in a feud with Usman and Abdelaziz, with both sides exchanging barbs on social media and engaging in public verbal conflicts.

While the exact reason for Covington's recent altercation with Pimblett remains unclear, the likelihood of their rivalry leading to a fight appears low. The two are at vastly different stages of their careers and compete in separate weight classes.

Pimblett's victory over Chandler marked the biggest win of his career thus far, and he is likely to pursue higher-ranked fighters and eventually aim for a title shot in the lightweight division. Meanwhile, Covington, a former interim welterweight champion, is coming off a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley and seems to be nearing the end of his professional MMA career.