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Masvidal: I want to hurt Covington 'in a way that I've never done'

Chris Unger / UFC / Getty

While a rumored matchup between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal did not come to fruition earlier in 2021, the latter is confident it will eventually take place.

Masvidal, the No. 4-ranked UFC welterweight, said earlier this week he plans to earn the most vicious win of his career when he does step into the Octagon opposite Covington.

"With Colby, it's somebody that I really can't stand, so I really want to hurt this guy in a way that I've never done," Masvidal told ESPN's Ariel Helwani. "I want to make it seem like the Ben Askren fight was very merciful compared to what I'm going to do to Colby."

For now, Masvidal is scheduled to challenge Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title in a rematch at UFC 261 on April 24. "Gamebred" said a fight with Covington would have to happen on his own terms because he has more star power.

"That fight will take place, but when I f------ say so," Masvidal said. "Because, remember, who the f--- is Colby? He fought Usman (and) generated I think under 300,000 pay-per-views. What did he do with (Tyron) Woodley? He just doesn't generate. So I'm going to go get this title, I'm going to keep generating more views, more knockouts, more violence, and then I'm going to take it out on Colby at some point - as long as he can (continue to win fights). If he can win, he's done."

Covington and Masvidal used to train with each other at American Top Team and even lived together at one point in their careers. However, the 170-pound contenders had a falling out in recent years and are now considered rivals. Covington left American Top Team in 2020 and now trains at a different gym in Florida.

"Obviously I dislike Ben Askren and stuff like that, but Colby's that one person - and I always say this - wherever I see him, it's a free pay-per-view right there," Masvidal said.

He added: "I got kicked out of the gym (temporarily) for trying to assault him one time. ... I know a lot of people think, 'Man, you're an idiot, you're a professional fighter, why would you do that?' Because I f------ feel like it, and nobody tells me what to do."

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