Colby Covington has made the outlandish claim that Khabib Nurmagomedov opted to retire rather than move up a division and face him. 

Khabib called time on his career back in 2020, ending up undefeated having promised his mother he'd retire following the death of his father Abdulmanap. 

Covington has a different version of events and the controversial American told My MMA News: 'He never came to 170, because the man’s here.

'He doesn’t wanna fight the man. He knew the man that had a great style for him, the guy that was way more well rounded, could stuff his takedowns, being in his face and punch, and putting volume on him, and doesn’t break under cardio.

'Like, that’s what I do best. I would’ve walked him down. So, him and Makhachev need to shut their f***ing mouths. They’re all talk and no walk like myself.'

He went on to argue that Khabib and current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev would not have the wrestling ability to deal with him.    

'It’s been right time, right place,' Covington added. They’ve been able to fight guys that didn’t have wrestling backgrounds. If they fought a guy that was a USA-level wrestler, like an Olympic-level wrestler, they’re gonna get smoked. 

'It’s not even gonna be competitive. American wrestling is much better, much more revolutionized, and just a better style of wrestling that works in the UFC. 

'These guys have just been able to capitalize. Right time, right place with the right matchups.'

Covington is pushing hard for a title shot against Leon Edwards next at welterweight and Dana White confirmed he would have his shot in the wake of 'Rocky's' win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286. 

Edwards, however, is adamant that Covington needs to earn it, with the American losing two of his last four, both of which were in title fights. 

Covington weighed in as the back-up for the London card on Saturday but was not able to make the walk as both the main event fighters hit weight and were able to compete.