Colby Covington Is Fine With Being the UFC Welterweight Division’s Supervillain

Colby Covington discussed his upcoming fight with Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 119 and more in a new interview with MMAjunkie. Highlights are below:

On facing Maia in his opponent’s hometown: “I am the supervillain, and this is my division now. I own this division. I’m a heel – it’s OK. I expect the fans to hate me, anyway. I don’t care about the fans. This isn’t about the fans anymore. This is about me being the best fighter in the world – and that’s what I am. I’m the No. 1 fighter in the welterweight division right now. Tyron Woodley, he’s a fake paper champ. Demian Maia, he’s a thing of the past. I’m going to put him to rest and the Brazilian crowd is going to be silent.”

On Rafael dos Anjos angling for a title shot before him: “Oh, come on, let’s be honest: Who has ‘RDA’ fought? He just fought two bums at the end of their careers – the two biggest over-ranked fighters in the world. He’s been picking and choosing fights. The UFC knows who a real fighter is. I’m a real fighter. I’ve never turned down one fight. I’ve asked for the tough fights. I asked for Demian Maia. No one wants to fight Demian Maia. I asked to fight Demian Maia in his home city. Who wants to fight Demian Maia in his home city? No one. I’m the only one who accepted the challenge. ‘RD’A? He ducked me. We were supposed to fight two or three different times. He ducked me. He didn’t want to fight. That’s why he was put behind me on the Singapore card and I got a bigger fight against Dong Hyun Kim at the time. He beat Tarec Saffiedine. The guy is on his way out. He beat Magny. The guy is on his way out. Who has he beat that’s a top contender? After I put Demian Maia to rest, Tyron Woodley is next for me. ‘RDA’ is a thing of the past, as well.”

On Maia’s skills: “Demian Maia is a one-trick pony. He’s the same fighter he’s been his whole career. He’s not just going to change his game plan. He’s not a tricky guy to prepare for with the skill set that I have. The guys that he fought in the past don’t have the skill set that I have. He’s only going to try and come out there, take me down, get to the back, submit me. That’s not going to happen. My wrestling is on a different level than anyone he’s ever fought. My striking – I’m more athletic. I’m way too handsome to lose to a guy like that.”

On getting advice on fighting Maia: “[Maia] fought Jorge Masvidal, my best friend. So I’ve gotten a lot of pointers, a lot of experience from what Demian is going to try to do in the octagon. He’s very strong in the first couple of minutes, I’ll give him that. But he will break down. He will not be able to match my heart. He will not be able to match my pace. And he will fade and he will quit.”

On his prediction for the fight: “I do respect the guy. That’s why I’m going to put him to sleep in the first round. It won’t be pretty. I know Halloween is coming up, so it’s going to be a nightmare in Sao Paulo for him..I’m coming to take out Demian Maia in impressive fashion,” Covington said. “And Tyron Woodley is next. Mark my words, you heard it here first in this interview: I will be welterweight champion early beginning of next year. Tyron Woodley can’t top me and Demian Maia has no chance to stop me.”