MMA News Today: Covington Told He's 'Not The Same Guy That Beat Lawler' Ahead Of UFC 296, Holland Trolls Garry's Withdrawal With 'How To Be A MMA WAG' Tweet, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For December 14, 2023, we’re taking a look at:

• Colby Covington Told He's 'Not The Same Guy That Beat Robbie Lawler' Ahead Of UFC 296
• Kevin Holland Trolls Ian Garry's Withdrawal With 'How To Be A MMA WAG' Tweet
• Vicente Luque Reacts To Losing UFC 296 Fight With Ian Garry

Colby Covington Told He's 'Not The Same Guy That Beat Robbie Lawler' Ahead Of UFC 296

When Colby Covington was announced to be the next welterweight title challenger, a lot of people questioned whether he was deserving of the shot.

The former two-time challenger has remained inactive for over 16 months and even then, none of his wins are against people who are currently ranked in the top 15 at 170 pounds.

The argument that has been thrown back at the champion Leon Edwards is usually the threat that Covington possesses because of his grappling and cardio ability.

"Rocky" has said multiple times in the build-up that this idea of rating Covington because of his performances against Jorge Masvidal and Robbie Lawler isn't relevant anymore.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Edwards said that a lot has changed in four years so to talk about this fight and reference a win from 2019 makes no sense.

“Everyone talks about his cardio, but he’s not the same guy that beat Robbie Lawler,” said Edwards. “I’ve heard a lot about that guy, but that was four years ago. What about his skills? His skills are very limited. He’s very scrappy, but there are a lot of loopholes in his skills.”

Kevin Holland Trolls Ian Garry's UFC 296 Withdrawal With 'How To Be A MMA WAG' Tweet

The most talked about fighter going into UFC 296 wasn't any of the men involved in the two title fights this Saturday night.

Everyone had been weighing in on Ian Machado Garry for various reasons, with very few of them being related to his fight with Vicente Luque.

After all of the controversy, some catastrophic news was announced as Dana White confirmed that Garry was out of the fight due to suffering from pneumonia.

It wasn't going to take long before fighters started to use this against the Irishman after everything that had happened leading up to this main card opener - namely with his wife and familial situation. 

Welterweight contender Kevin Holland took a shot at Garry, referencing the "How To Be A WAG" parody book that his wife is listed as an author of.

"How to be a #mma WAG - Block comments on his social media. Spend his money (before he has it). Skip presser so nobody asks about the above.  Give him food poisoning so he has to pull from fight. Then he will be sad and really think he needs you. #HowTo #WAG"