Michael Chiesa: “F**king coward” Colby Covington “is avoiding me like the plague”

Michael Chiesa has historically had a bad taste in his mouth regarding Colby Covington. It seems like there is still quite a bit of friction between the UFC welterweight compatriots. On The Ariel Helwani Show, Chiesa covered several subjects ahead of his next foray into the octagon, which will take place at the end of UFC’s Q1 schedule for 2026, but not against ‘Chaos’ Covington.

The 38-year-old combatant will clash with Carlston Harris at UFC Seattle. That bout transpires on March 28th in a main card clash at 170 pounds. Turning his attentions to the former UFC interim welterweight champion and multiple-time challenger for lineal welterweight gold, harshness was not spared for Covington, as Chiesa said,

“If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times: everyone knows who I want to fight, and the f*cking guy is avoiding me like the plague. I would love that fight after this one. It was all laid out. We had it all laid out on The Ultimate Fighter.”

“Hunter Campbell was on board. Everybody was on board. Everybody loved it. Who didn’t sign the contract? It wasn’t me. Dude’s a f*cking coward. I don’t care what anybody says. The dude is chicken s**t.”

Michael Chiesa is mulling over a possible retirement at UFC Seattle

Michael Chiesa was not definitively discussing hanging up the gloves in the coming weeks with this bout. But there are several tendrils emanating from this contest that are getting some gears in motion. Delving into the specifics of that thought process in the same referenced chat with Helwani, Chiesa stated [via Bloody Elbow],

“I mean, 22 is my number, dude. People who don’t know, my hero was my Grandpa Derrelle, my family had a race track, he had a racing team, his number was 22, that’s why I have 22 tattooed on my chest. My wedding ring has a diamond 22 on it. 22 is my favorite number so for this to be my 22nd UFC fight, in Seattle, on my parents anniversary, I feel like the universe is telling me something.”

“I wasn’t gonna be this open about it, it’s just hard not to, I don’t know what’s next, I don’t know if this is the last one but if it is, it’s the perfect way to go out. Fighters either retire too early or retire too late. When have we ever heard of a perfect retirement? I would rather retire early… And I don’t think retiring at 38 is an early retirement, even if I’m doing well.”