Covington wants Thompson, shoots down Rakhmonov fight

After coming up short in his bid for the UFC welterweight title, Colby Covington already knows who he wants next.

Covington, who suffered a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 296 on Saturday, called for a "premier matchup" against No. 6-ranked contender Stephen Thompson at the postfight press conference. "Wonderboy" also competed on the card, losing to Shavkat Rakhmonov via second-round submission.

"I'm gonna focus on what's next," Covington said. "There's a guy that's been talking a lot of shit to me in the media, Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson. Everybody thinks he's a nice guy. He's had a lot to say about me, so I'd love to see him say that to me in the cage, in the Octagon."

Covington added that he wants to stay active and return to the cage in early 2024.

"We've been at the top of the division for the longest," Covington said of Thompson, a two-time title challenger. "We're two guys that have never fought that have been at the top of the division for years. So, I think that's the fight that makes the most logical sense next."

When asked about facing No. 5-ranked Rakhmonov instead, Covington wasn't sold on the matchup.

"It doesn't really make sense," Covington said. "I think 'Wonderboy' has a bigger name. It's a bigger fight for the division, bigger business for the UFC. I'm the company man. Whatever the UFC wants."