Ben Askren Calls Out Colby Covington’s ‘Gross’ Behavior in Latest Feud Twist

There was a time when Ben Askren and Colby Covington were on a collision course in the UFC.  Although the fight never materialized, the animosity never really disappeared either. Almost eight years later, both men have found themselves under the Real American Freestyle (RAF) banner, yet little has changed between them. 

Askren, fresh off an emotional return to competition following a life-saving double-lung transplant, has made it clear he has no interest in rekindling any relationship with Covington. The reason, according to the former Bellator and ONE champion, has less to do with competition and everything to do with character.

Ben Askren on Colby Covington’s Disparaging RAF Comments

“The Funky’s” return to competition at RAF 11 was one of the most inspiring stories in combat sports in recent times. Just over a year removed from a life-threatening battle with pneumonia and a double-lung transplant, the Olympic wrestler stepped back onto the mat before announcing his retirement following a loss to former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad.

While the event celebrated Askren's remarkable comeback, it also placed him back in the orbit of one of his oldest rivals, “Chaos” Covington.

Following the event, the 42-year-old admitted he doesn't actively hold grudges against Covington. Yet he also acknowledged that the former UFC Interim Welterweight Champion is someone he'd rather avoid.

"I try not to hold grudges, but Colby just rubs me the wrong way because he doesn't say good things about people," Askren said. He revealed that the latest RAF press conference only reinforced that feeling.

"If you watched what he said at the press conference on Friday about Belal, and specifically about Belal's wife, it was gross. It was just terrible human-being stuff." Askren wasn't criticizing trash talk itself. After spending decades in wrestling and MMA, he understands promotion is part of the business. 

Ben Askren Not a Fan of Colby Covington's Inflammatory Remarks

For him, there remains a line that shouldn't be crossed. "We're in show business, and I get the whole trash-talking thing, but don't bring Belal's wife into it." He added that Covington is free to conduct himself however he chooses, but it isn't someone he wishes to engage with anymore - 

"I think a lot of the things he does are just kind of gross. He can choose to do that, but I'm probably not going to interact with him because I just don't see the point."

Colby Covington, the Provocateur

Covington's remarks during the RAF 11 press conference quickly became one of the event's biggest talking points.

While promoting his upcoming crossover wrestling match against Arman Tsarukyan, the outspoken American mocked the former UFC Welterweight Champion, Muhammad, before turning his attention to the latter’s wife.

After sarcastically congratulating Muhammad on becoming a father, Covington questioned, "Who the f**k let you hit?" before continuing with insults aimed at Muhammad's partner, joking that she "must look like a gargoyle."

The comments drew an immediate reaction from Muhammad and later prompted Askren's public criticism. Furthermore, Covington also reignited his own feud with Askren.

Colby Covington Continues Verbal Sparring Against Ben Askren

In the lead-up to RAF 11, he referenced Askren's near-fatal health battle, describing him as a "dead guy with rented lungs" despite the latter's well-documented recovery from pneumonia and subsequent double-lung transplant.

Ironically, Covington had struck a far more compassionate tone before the event. Speaking to reporters ahead of Askren's comeback, he admitted he was concerned about the risks involved.

Although he acknowledged that he and Askren have never gotten along, he said he felt for the former UFC fighter after his health ordeal, emphasizing that he only wanted to see him return from the event safely. 

That concern, however, was overshadowed once the promotional festivities began, with Covington returning to the provocative style that has defined much of his career.

The pair were once among the UFC's fiercest welterweight rivals without ever sharing the Octagon. Remember Askren’s 2018 parking lot video with a fan? Hilarious! That said, Covington had also stated that he is willing to take the “high road” on their feud, wishing his former UFC rival nothing but the best.