Colby Covington on future of welterweight division: 'It's me and Jorge Masvidal against the world'

SINGAPORE – Colby Covington put in the additional work in hopes his next fight would be a big one. It paid off. At UFC Fight Night 111, he fights longtime welterweight contender Dong Hyun Kim.

Covington (11-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) has been one of the most vocal fighters in the sport in recent months when it comes to calling out opponents. He’s asked for every big name who would be a realistic matchup, and finally he was pitted against Kim (22-3-1 MMA, 13-3 UFC) at Saturday’s event, which streams on UFC Fight Pass at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.

Part of Covington’s reasoning for putting himself out there to such an extreme degree was to ensure he would get a big opportunity. Another was to put the welterweight division on notice and let everyone know he’s coming for the belt. Covington, alongside fellow American Top Team product Jorge Masvidal, has adopted the “Easy Money Tour” slogan in reference to taking over the 170-pound weight class.

Covington said the tour will continue until he has UFC gold around his waist, and the bout with Kim is merely the next hurdle.

“The vision after this fight is the next ‘Easy Money Tour’ stop,” Covington told MMAjunkie ahead of UFC FIght Night 111. “That’s Jorge (Masvidal) getting another big fight against Stephen Thompson, and then hopefully me setting up a big fight with a top contender to get a title shot. We’re both working our way toward title shots and I’m pretty sure we’re the future of this division. It’s me and Jorge Masvidal against the world at welterweight.”

Covington’s campaign for a significant fight comes on the heels of a three-fight winning streak, the most recent of which came against Bryan Barberena at UFC on FOX 22 in December. “Chaos” did everything from calling out people on Twitter to creating a fake e-mail inbox to literally standing on a street corner to beg for a fight.

The 29-year-old has been confident in his skills since he made his UFC debut in August 2014 and said the fight with “Stun Gun” is his chance to show exactly where he belongs.

“This is what I wanted since we talked three years ago when I was making my UFC debut,” Covington said. “I want the biggest and baddest tests and I want to show what I’m really capable of. This is that fight to show I’m a future champion.”

Although Covington has bad-mouthed plenty of fighters, he doesn’t have much in the way of negativity about his next opponent. Kim has been a 170-pound mainstay for more than nine years and during his lengthy UFC tenure has only suffered losses to current champ Tyron Woodley, top contender Demian Maia and former interim titleholder Carlos Condit.

Adding his name to the list of fighters to beat Kim would put Covington in rarified air, and while he respects the talent of his upcoming opponent, he said the South Korean athlete is on the downside of his career.

“I respect him, he’s been around the game for a while,” Covington said. “He’s beaten the best guys in the world. He’s only lost to three guys and those three guys were in the top five in the world: the champion and the No. 1 contender right now, and then Carlos Condit. He’s a great fighter. I respect his skills. But he’s on the decline a little bit. He’s past his time. This is my time now, so I feel like I’m ready to shine now and I’m ready to take this next step toward the title.”

Covington has not faced anywhere near the level of competition as Kim, but still he’s pegged as the betting favorite. Covington said he’s not surprised by the line coming into the fight and plans to show oddsmakers and bettors why they were on point by steamrolling Kim.

“I think people are going to give me a lot more credit after I finish a guy in the top 10,” Covington said. “The line already speaks for itself. He’s the (No. 7)-ranked guy in the world, but I’m the -225 favorite. What does that tell you? That the rankings are a little bit miscued right now and I’m going to show I’m the best fighter in the world, and that’s what I’m going to do.

“I’m going to finish Dong Hyun Kim dramatically and I’m going to make my stake toward that title.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 111, check out the UFC Events section of the site.