Former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten was confused by Colby Covington’s game plan at UFC 296.
Covington was fighting for the UFC’s undisputed welterweight title for the third time as he took on Leon Edwards on Saturday. In the lead-up to the fight, Covington was vocal he would beat Edwards with ease, but in the fight, he rarely threw many punches and lost a one-sided decision, and Rutten admits he doesn’t get why Covington didn’t fight like he usually does.
“It’s understandable, but if you are Colby and you are (like), I’m going to do this and this, why not live up to your words and pull the trigger and start really fighting? Otherwise, why would we be in the whole promotion deal if nothing happens? That was the only thing for me but I understand fights happen like that. Fortunately, thankfully for me, I don’t think I’ve ever been in a stalemate because I always try to finish. But, I can understand it, if there is a lot of respect between them, we don’t know,” Rutten said to Submission Radio.
Along with being confused by Colby Covington’s game plan at UFC 296, Bas Rutten also says the trash talk is something he never did because it can make you look like a fool as it did to Covington.
“I would never do the crap talking because you put a lot of pressure on yourself. As soon as you come out before the fight, what do they play? They play you saying all these things what you are going to do to your opponent. Now, you better do it and that might put a lot of pressure on you,” Rutten said.
With the loss, Colby Covington dropped to 17-4 as a pro.
Rutten reacts to Strickland-Du Plessis brawl
Along with Colby Covington’s bizarre game plan at UFC 296, Bas Rutten was also disappointed with Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis fighting each other in the stands.
The full incident between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis at #UFC296 tonight.
Bring on #UFC297 in January! pic.twitter.com/HQt0Uj1jiv
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Rutten says it’s something that should never have happened with little kids around them, but understands why it did happen.
“He’s some crazy guy. Listen, I was young and did some stupid things, too, but that I wouldn’t do. I think it was too much, especially with the kid being there, a lot of things can go wrong. I don’t think it’s necessary, but again, they are at the peak of their careers,” Rutten added.
Of course, Strickland and Du Plessis are set to headline UFC 297 in Toronto on January 20.
