Masvidal details the origin of his rivalry with Covington and says he wants to leave his rival in a 'critical condition'

C. Covington (left) and J. Masvidal (right) were once best friends. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

On March 5, Jorge masvidal e Colby covington face each other in the main fight of the UFC 272, finally putting one of the hottest rivalries in the sport inside the Octagon. Once best friends and training partners, the two have become enemies since Covington's break with American Top Team.

In an interview with “MMA Junkie”, however, Masvidal stated that the “best friends” relationship was unilateral on Covington's part and that, from the beginning, he was already suspicious of his former colleague's nature.

“There are countless interviews where he calls me his best friend. I didn't do that because I already saw signs in the way he treated his family, the way he talked about his sister, his mother. There are three sides to every story: your side, their side, and the truth. So, I already found him interesting,” said Masvidal.

To question the character of the rival, Jorge masvidal cited cases involving Jon Jones, Covington's college roommate and, Tyron woodley, who according to Masvidal was one of the athlete's main supporters at the beginning of his MMA career.

"With Jon Jones he had several situations. He always spoke ill of Jon Jones. In case of Tyron woodley I was there to see everything. With Jon Jones, I wasn't in college with them, but about Woodley, I was along. He gave him a thousand dollars a week, which was unusual for an amateur guy just to train with him for four weeks. Sponsorship, food and everything. Then he started talking s*** about Woodley in a negative way. If the guy does that to everyone, that's what he is. There is no one he respects,” reported Masvidal.

According to Masvidal, however, the final straw for the relationship with Colby covington It was the controversy with coach Paulino Hernandez, from American Top Team, that led to the fighter's break with the gym.

“I was already starting to move away from him little by little and then Bam! Before I could walk away for good, he betrayed my coach. He didn’t pay the agreed amount and from then on I knew that one day I would hurt this guy,” said the fighter.

Lastly, Jorge masvidal stated that he intends to leave Colby covington in “critical conditions” in the meeting between the two at UFC 272.

“I hope that the referee, on the way to get me off him, slips on a banana peel and I can land a few more blows and really change his life and facial structure,” he concluded.