Covington: Usman Nurmagomedov Has No Place in the UFC

Former UFC fighter Colby Covington says Usman Nurmagomedov should never get a UFC contract. His reason is the Abu Dhabi hotel brawl involving Merab Dvalishvili, and BJPenn.com calls Nurmagomedov public enemy number one in MMA right now.

Covington's case against a UFC signing

Covington spoke to BC.Game and became, in the report's words, the latest fighter to slam Nurmagomedov. He asked what claim Nurmagomedov has on a UFC place at all. Then he answered: "This behavior from Usman Nurmagomedov should disqualify him from ever being a UFC athlete."

His argument rests on conduct, not results. UFC fighters, he said, answer to a higher standard. Nurmagomedov has shown that he is unprofessional and cannot control his emotions, and he must take responsibility for what he did. Covington also waved off the record: "I don't care what his record is fighting bums."

An earlier incident, told by Covington

Covington reached back to another scene. He said Nurmagomedov almost cheap-shotted Song Yadong while Song celebrated a big win, jumping into the cage and trying to elbow him. That is Covington's version. The report gives no further account of what happened.

What the hotel brawl left behind

The brawl took place earlier in the week of the report. BJPenn.com says Nurmagomedov and his team started it against Dvalishvili and a friend. Nurmagomedov and other associates were then handed a six-month prison sentence. The report admits it is unclear what that means for any future UFC deal.

Covington went past the contract. He hopes Nurmagomedov never gets to fight in the UFC or to come to America, and he called the behavior delinquent and despicable. He also wants Dvalishvili back in America quickly and back on the RAF mat, so the attack does not stop him from competing and wrestling this weekend.

Source: BJPenn.com