When Colby Covington campaigned to face "cardio kickboxer" Israel Adesanya with bold fight prediction: "I'll melt that guy" 

Colby Covington once set his sights on a potential showdown with then-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Following his dominant win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272, the outspoken welterweight expressed his desire to test himself against the stylistic challenge presented by 'The Last Stylebender'.

In a fiery interview with Submission Radio, Covington dismissed Adesanya as a "cardio kickboxer" lacking the necessary wrestling and overall skillset to compete with him.

The confident contender boasted about his ability to overpower the champion, promising to "melt" Adesanya under the pressure of his relentless pace:

“I think I can definitely go up to 185 [pounds] and fight Adesanya... I want to give the fans the biggest fight possible. I don’t cut weight to go to 170, so I’m not gonna go up to 185 and make it a full-time home. But I’m waiting for the big fights to present themselves, and the two biggest fights in my mind, go beat up Adesanya, the guy who just has cardio kickboxing, he’s not that good of a fighter, he’s not well-rounded, he can’t stop my American wrestling. I’ll melt that guy. He’ll a hundred percent melt under my pressure and my pace." [h/t MMA Fighting]

Check out Colby Covington's interview below:

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Belal Muhammad responds to Colby Covington's recent allegations

UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has wasted no time responding to the verbal attacks of Colby Covington. The outspoken former interim champion, known for his trash talk, recently criticized Muhammad's performance in his title-winning fight against Leon Edwards.

Muhammad, who secured the welterweight belt with a stunning upset victory, didn't hold back when addressing Covington's comments. In an interview with MMA Junkie, the champion labeled 'Chaos' a "joke" and questioned his credibility as a fighter.

'Remember the Name' pointed out Covington's unsuccessful title fight attempts, emphasizing his own ability to achieve championship gold in contrast:

"He's a joke, right? Like, literally everything he says is a joke. What is he, 0-3 in title fights? All I needed was one time to do it. You'll never touch the gold. You'll never be who I am. Just keep talking, bro. You said keep that same energy when I see you. Please, I beg you let me see you. I beg you, let me see you in public."

He further added:

"Unless he actually fights any of these other guys, he's not gonna get another shot. But I hope he goes on a good run, beat some of these contenders and figures out a way to fight me in the cage. But all you've got to do is find me at a steakhouse and you'll keep that same energy."

Check out Belal Muhammad's response to Colby Covington below (8:24):