Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Michael Chiesa returns to action against fellow Ultimate Fighter (TUF) winner Court McGee at UFC Atlanta this weekend (Sat., June 14, 2025) inside State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
While a clash between two TUF winners excites dedicated fans, Chiesa had his sights set on a high-profile bout against three-time Welterweight title challenger Colby Covington, an idea proposed by TUF Season 33 coaches Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen.
The matchup gained traction among UFC matchmakers and executives, but Covington ultimately seemed to decline.
“I don’t know if I can really divulge much, but the powers at be liked the idea, Chael and DC liked it a lot, the higher-ups loved the idea, and I thought it would have been great ending to The Ultimate Fighter but I’ve kinda just given up on the idea of calling the guy out,” Chiesa said during UFC Atlanta media day. “I think he’s going to go a different direction in his career, and I think being a streamer is what he’s pursuing right now. He doesn’t have the desire to compete as much as he did before.”
“So, it’s just time to move on and let him do what he wants to do, and if he fights again, he fights again,” Chiesa added. “I’m focused on Court McGee and moving him out of the equation.” It’s his loss and the fans’ loss because he brings a lot of heat the way he builds his fight, and I have the style to beat him, but move on, it’s over.
“He’s a nice guy off camera, dick on camera,” Chiesa concluded.
Covington is deep into his streaming phase and appears to be enjoying it (whatever that entails) while still maintaining his annoying over-the-top WWE-style persona.
The longtime top-ranked Welterweight is riding a two-fight losing streak and has only won two fights since 2020.
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Atlanta fight card right here, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).
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