Belal Muhammad called out Colby Covington because of ignorant '5th-grade trash-talk'

SYDNEY – UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad scored the biggest win of his career and immediately knew who he wanted to fight next.

Following his split decision over Tim Means on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 121, Muhammad (13-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) used his octagon interview to put some heat on MMA’s current biggest villain, Colby Covington, calling him a “little coward” and promising a hospital visit if they run into each other on the street.

“I just want to get a top-15 guy, hopefully Colby Covington,” Muhammad, who’s won three straight, told MMAjunkie backstage at Qudos Bank Arena. “He’s sitting on the sidelines begging (UFC champion Tyron) Woodley for a fight, but Woodley’s hurt. So, there’s nobody else for him to fight. All these other guys are already booked.

“Colby Covington needs an opponent. I’m here, December 30th, let’s do it. What’s up?”

Covington (13-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) has been at the center of much controversy lately. It started last month after he defeated Demian Maia in Sao Paulo at UFC Fight Night 118, where he called the people of Brazil “filthy animals” during his post-fight speech. Covington hasn’t been the least bit apologetic for his racist remarks, instead only fanning the flames.

Covington’s ant-Brazil sentiment continued this week during an altercation with Fabricio Werdum that was caught on camera. The Brazilian heavyweight was charged with common assault for allegedly hitting Covington with a boomerang. Werdum said Covington was the instigator when he called Werdum a “Brazilian animal” as they crossed paths in the hotel lobby.

Near the end of his live-stream, Covington again went on an anti-Brazil tirade.

“F*ck Brazil. F*ck Fabricio Werdum. Little b*tch ass,” Covington said. “F*ck Brazil. A bunch of filthy animals. And they wonder why they get talked to like that. Because they’re a bunch of animals.”

It’s that kind of talk that Muhammad has no tolerance for. And that’s why he wants a piece of Covington inside the octagon.

“I got a lot of Brazilian fans, a lot of Brazilian friends. My coach is Brazilian,” Muhammad said. “When you disrespect the whole country like that, and it’s not even in a good way. You have like fifth-grade trash-talk. So it’s not even good trash-talk. It’s just being ignorant for no reason. When people talk like that, they deserve to get slapped. And I’m the guy to do the slapping.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 121, check out the UFC Events section of the site.