VIDEO: ATT coach reveals behind the scenes of Covington's departure and talks about the athlete's personality

In the last years, Colby covington has become a controversial face in MMA circles. With acidic statements, provocations and a characteristic style of behavior, the athlete accumulated confusion inside and outside the octagon, even causing his dismissal from the renowned American Top Team (ATT). In order to clarify the athlete's departure and personality, one of the academy's coaches, Conan Silveira, spoke exclusively to SUPER FIGHTS about the subject.

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One of the main people responsible for the success of the athletes at ATT, Silveira worked directly with Covington. The coach then talked about what happened to make the fighter leave the gym and take a chance on his own team.

“You can't always have in your environment, in the harmony of a team, a disturbance that will affect everyone. So, the team cannot have this dependency. You can’t be held hostage by this type of behavior,” said Conan.

The coach's speech is due to the fact that Colby took a stance that disturbed the well-being of the group present at the American Top Team. The athlete accumulated disagreements with names like Jorge masvidal, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Dustin poirier and even Amanda nunes.

Fired or 'asked to leave'?

However, anyone who thinks that Colby's departure happened in a turbulent manner is mistaken. According to Silveira, the dismissal was the result of a conversation and there was no expulsion.

“It was friendly. It wasn't: 'go away'. It was choice. Here, you have to follow a rule or look elsewhere. He wasn't sent away. 'What's good for you and what's good for us,' he admitted.

Covington vs Masvidal

It is public knowledge that one of the reasons for Colby's absence from ATT was the exchange of barbs between the 'loudmouth' and his former best friend, Jorge masvidal. In 2020, athletes began to exchange barbs in the press and the situation ended up reaching the gym. Silveira then spoke about the subject.

“There was, until a certain time, a phase in which we were being heavily criticized for allowing the two to be part of the American Top Team, but the 'talking', the 'saying'… that happens in the family. You don't always get along. There is conflict, these differences, but it reached a level where we couldn't allow things to grow. So, a rule was established that it could no longer be talked about between them or with anyone else within the academy. There can no longer be this back-and-forth,” he revealed.

After all, who is Colby Covington?

With his provocative style, Covington has undeniably become an important face for Ultimate. Loved by some and hated by others, the athlete became interim welterweight champion and competed for the linear title (in 2019). In order to clarify the real personality of the North American, Silveira spoke about who the athlete really is.

“He is super respectful. A fighter who listens. I have never seen a lack of respect from him towards the coaches. On the contrary, if you talk to him out of character, you will be surprised. It's that: 'everyone has to do what they need to do to show up'. I think there are many who follow this line. It’s not something I would do, however, it is what it is”, he concluded.

Athlete's history

At 33 years old, Colby made his professional debut in MMA in February 2012. Over his almost 10-year career, the American currently has 18 commitments, with 16 wins and two losses.

The 'loudmouth' hasn't played since September 2020, when he dominated the former division champion, Tyron woodley and secured first place in the group ranking. The athlete competed for the linear title in the UFC 245, when he was beaten by the champion Kamaru Usman.