UFC fighter Colby Covington of the United States has voiced a clear readiness to square off with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, signaling a potential showdown that would attract a global audience across North America. Covington emphasized his confidence in the matchup, describing it as a high-profile clash between champions and noting his own unique advantage in the cage. The sentiment was shared in an interview with James Lynch, where Covington articulated his belief that Makhachev would struggle to lift, disrupt, or force him into a compromised position—points that underscore Covington’s trust in his physical and tactical edge going into such a championship contest.
With 20 UFC appearances under his belt, Covington has secured 17 wins, highlighting a career built on relentless pressure, wrestling prowess, and a relentless pace that has tested every opponent he faced. The dialogue surrounding this potential fight reflects Covington’s ongoing willingness to pursue the most challenging opponents and to test himself against the sport’s elite. The possibility of a bout against Makhachev would not only be a test of power and technique but also a battle of strategic minds inside the Octagon, drawing attention from fans across Canada and the United States who follow top-tier welterweight and lightweight competition alike.
In recent action, Makhachev secured a unanimous decision victory over Alexander Volkanovski after five demanding rounds at UFC 284, held in Perth, Australia. The win marked a milestone in Makhachev’s career, moving him to 24 wins in his professional journey while adding a setback for Volkanovski on the mountaintop of the lightweight division. The performance underscored Makhachev’s ongoing dominance in the weight class and his ability to maintain pressure through extended grappling exchanges, precise striking, and superior conditioning as the cage clock wound down.
Ali Abdel-Aziz, the manager of Makhachev’s team, has previously championed the idea of defending the lightweight title in a match-up against Beneil Dariush. Dariush’s recent performances and overall résumé position him as a compelling contender whose style could provide a rigorous test for Makhachev’s grappling base and striking finesse. The discussion around future title defenses reflects the broader interest in matchups that would deliver high stakes, technical intrigue, and broad fan engagement across North American audiences, including Canada and the United States, where premium UFC content often resonates strongly with viewers seeking championship-worthy rivalries.