Firas Zahabi on Why Fans Are Going to “Attack” Colby Covington “Forever”

If social media is part of your daily routine, then you  know there’s been no shortage of verbal shots and memes directed at Colby Covington, since he was defeated by Kamaru Usman at UFC 245. Well since the memorable bout went down, Tristar coach Firas Zahabi has outlined why he believes the controversial fighter is going to get piled on for years.

Zahabi says fans are going to “attack” Covington “forever”

In the last couple of years, Covington has become one of the most controversial figures in MMA, on account of various insults he’s fired at fighters, their associates, fans, etc, etc. As a result, after Covington was finished by Usman on Saturday night, “Chaos” has been getting lit up online.

Zahabi recently posted his post-fight analysis of the bout, and while discussing Covington, the renowned coach said this (quotes via Bloody Elbow):

“(Covington) openly ran his mouth so much,” Zahabi said. “In fighting, when you run your mouth and you win, everybody praises you. The second you run your mouth and you lose, and you get finished? Guess what, all that is coming back times ten. All of it is coming back to you for years and years.

“I’m telling you, you’re never gonna get over it. People are gonna attack him for this loss forever. Why? Because that’s just the way it is in the West. That’s the culture we have. You talk, you better back it up. If you don’t back it up, people are gonna insult you back.”

“Now personally, I don’t like to do that. I don’t think we have to drop to his level. We don’t have to go over ‘it’s fake and it’s just entertainment.’ I get that, but look, the truth of the matter is, he ran out of the Octagon after. He ran out of the arena. He wasn’t going to get no ‘good try, good fight, you did well.’ The fans were gonna butcher him.”

Ya. Prior to UFC 245, there was a lot of talk about how devastating a loss could be for Covington, on account of all the things he’s said. While he’s been receiving credit for fighting through a broken jaw, and the toughness he demonstrated, there’s no doubt haters are having a field day. How long will that continue? It could depend on whether Covington ramps down the “Chaos” rhetoric (and so far, there’s been no signs that’s going to happen, as he’s blamed the referee for the loss).

What’s next for Covington?

Now it will be really interesting to see what comes next for Covington. A fight with Tyron Woodley makes a lot of sense, since those two have been feuding for a while. But, Covington will likely be sidelined for a while, and there’s been talk the UFC is working on having Woodly fight Leon Edwards.