Former UFC Interim Welterweight Champion Colby Covington recently appeared on the MMA Tonight radio program, which is hosted by former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate and Ryan McKinnell.
The appearance probably didn’t go the way either the hosts or guest planned it would, with everything beginning with this response from Covington to a question from Tate about the formers bout at UFC Fight Night Newark.
“It gets back to me,” Covington said (via Steven Marrocco of MMA Junkie). “All the people say how (you say) negative thoughts about me, and how I’m this and that. I just think it’s very hypocritical, because I don’t think you’re a perfect person. You might have some skeletons in your closet, as well.”
That lead to Tate going on the offensive against Covington, saying that he went on a personal attack against her by bringing up Tate’s role within One Championship.
“I don’t even know what to say right now,” she said. “It’s kind of crazy that you would go on that level just because I have an opinion, that you as an American should have respect for the fact that at least I have the balls to say it to your face, and that’s my opinion, and I’m entitled to it. I did not put you down as a person. You put me down as a person.”
McKinnell would also come to the defense of Tate by saying the following to the former interim welterweight champion.
“You realize that that’s part of her job description right? She’s transitioned to being an analyst to give her thoughts on the sport,” McKinnell said. “You are a part of the sport. You make headlines for controversy, and you also made headlines for the exciting fights you put on like you did Saturday. It’s not a personal vendetta against Colby Covington.”
Covington would go onto claim that the nude photos that were released of Tate, without her consent, were put out on purpose by Tate, which lead to the following exchange between Covington and McKinnell.
“That’s a low blow,” McKinnell said. “That’s personal.”
“I came on the show to give you the best ratings you’re ever going to get,” Covington said.
“Like the best ratings that UFC on ESPN (5) got, which was the lowest-rated UFC on ESPN ever?” McKinnell said.
Once that exchange came to an end, it would be revealed by Tate and McKinnell that Covington would be banned from reappearing on future shows.
