Covington Calls Askren “Afraid” Of Lawler Rematch
When asked about Ben Askren’s debut against Robbie Lawler at UFC 235, former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington did not hold back.
“How could you be impressed?” Covington told MMA Fighting. “Ben Askren, he got dropped on his head. Let’s be honest, he should give his Hodge Trophy, that wrestling trophy, to Robbie Lawler, because Robbie Lawler took him down more times than he took Robbie down. And if it wasn’t for Herb Dean saving his life, he was going to get his head knocked into the first row. So the guy needs to run that back with Robbie Lawler and actually get a UFC win before he can start talking about the top of the mountain.
“He hasn’t done anything in this sport. He’s a 36-year-old virgin. A little science school nerd. So I don’t really have anything to say. He’s a bum. He can’t even throw a punch.”
Covington, who has grown to be a thorn in the side of most members of the welterweight division, and the first challenger to new champion Kamaru Usman, while Askren is open to for anything but have a rematch with Robbie Lawler.
“It shows how scared he is, how much fear is in him,” Covington said of Askren’s unwillingness to face Lawler again. “The fact that you don’t want to run that back and prove to the fans and prove to the people that run this sport that you’re better than that guy. It was a fluke. You didn’t win that fight. Robbie was still in it. [Askren] was gassed within the first two minutes of the fight. Gassed out. Like, didn’t know what to do, literally concussed on day street.
“So if you don’t want to run that back, then what are you doing here? You’re not out here to prove that you’re the best. You’re just trying to look for easy matchups and he’s just looking for that good payday and then he’s going to ride off into the sunset, because he’s a 36-year-old virgin. He’s got probably a year or two left of fighting in him. I don’t know if he’ll crack the top five by the time he’s 40. Just being honest.”
Initial Report: MMA Fighting