UFC 235: Ben Askren Continues to Slam Colby Covington, But Still Thinks “Chaos” Should be Next For Tyron Woodley

Ben Askren continues to fire verbal shots at Colby Covington, and question whether the controversial fighter has much of a following. But, “Funky” still believes “Chaos” should be next for Tyron Woodley, provided the welterweight champ defends his belt at UFC 235.

Askren has repeatedly blasted Covington in the preceding weeks, who, as you surely know, campaigned hard for a bout with Woodley, but was passed over for Kamaru Usman. Since then, Covington has said he won’t fight for the UFC again, unless the promotion tables championship money for the contest. Dana White, meanwhile, has said Covington will need to record a victory, before the former interim champ gets tapped for a title shot.

Well, Askren attended a media luncheon recently, in advance of his fight this Saturday with Robbie Lawler. Not surprisingly, Askren had a few things to say about Covington’s ongoing protest, as a result of losing out to Usman (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“Colby’s got no skills,” Askren said. “He’s gotta fight. … If he doesn’t fight, I don’t think one person in the whole world will shed a tear. Like, thank god that era is over. I think the UFC made it more than it was, because if you look at any of his social media he doesn’t have that many followers. There was never that much of a ‘We want to see Colby!’ It just wasn’t there. It was staged.”

“Colby was too dumb,” Askren added. “He thought the promoter was his friend. He thought, ‘Hey, he’s my buddy, he’s gonna do everything good for me. He’s gonna take care of me.’ … He looks so dumb and he continues to look dumb.”

Now, whether you enjoy Covington’s brash act or not, it is true that the rugged welterweight’s social media numbers don’t match many of the UFC’s big names. In fact, although Askren has never fought in the UFC, he has almost 100,000 more Twitter followers than Covington. Woodley has over 175,000 more.

But, interestingly enough, Askren also added he thinks Covington should be next for Woodley, if the latter retains the belt on Saturday. Askren called it the “obvious fight” and “easy money” for the champ. The big question is, however, if Woodley beats Usman, will the UFC really make Colby fight someone else in the interim?

Askren has said he won’t fight his friend. So he’s out. If Lawler beats Askren at UFC 235, would the UFC look at handing him a rematch with Woodley? Maybe, but it seems unlikely.