Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington vows to make the promotion’s life “a living hell” if he’s not granted the title shot he was promised.

“We may have to go to court, and this may be a lawsuit, because let’s be honest: If (Tom) Brady wins the AFC championship … and just all of a sudden Roger Goodell says, ‘You’re not going to the Super Bowl because we don’t like you’ – no, that’s not how it works,” Covington told MMAjunkie Radio on Monday.

The UFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Covington (14-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) has now sat on the sidelines for eight months waiting to face UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (19-3-1 MMA, 9-2-1 UFC). UFC President Dana White won’t guarantee the 30-year-old Covington the winner of Woodley’s title fight vs. Kamaru Usman (14-1 MMA, 9-0 UFC) at UFC 235 and said he must work his way back into contention.

Relations between Covington and the UFC, which seemed great during a White House trip to visit Donald Trump, soured after he turned down a fight with Usman on six weeks’ notice at UFC on ESPN+ 1. Covington turned down a title fight with Woodley at UFC 228 because of a pending nasal surgery and said UFC doctors were aware of his condition.

The latest news from White has only strengthened Covington’s belief that he’s being mistreated.

“If the UFC wants to be a circus and be a corrupt business and go about their business, then that’s their problem,” he said. “I’m standing up for what I believe in. I’m not backing down.

“I don’t care what Uncle Fester has to say. I’m the No. 1 ranked fighter in the world. Go look it up on the UFC website. I had a belt wrapped around my waist by Uncle Fester. I was the only fighter to go the White House. What else do you have to do? What’s the criteria to get a title shot these days?”

White said Usman earned the shot against Woodley with an impressive win over ex-champ Rafael dos Anjos, who previously lost to Covington, and by taking all fights offered to him.

Covington claims the audience for his fights is bigger than anyone in the UFC’s welterweight division, though he has yet to headline a pay-per-view card. He said fans are calling for him to fight, but the promotion wants him to go backward “for a fifth of the paycheck that they promised me.”

“That ain’t happening,” Covington said. “I’ll sit on the shelf all day. We’ll go to court. I’ll make it a living hell for the UFC. I don’t give a (expletive). They’re already trying to make my life a living hell. The business they’re trying to do right now is ridiculous. It doesn’t make sense.”

If unable to get a title fight, Covington also has welcomed the idea of getting released from his contract, possibly so he can pursue a career as a professional wrestler. With his brash persona, he thinks he’d fit in fine with sports entertainment powerhouse WWE.

Gallery Photos: Best of Colby Covington view 22 images

But the UFC first has to agree to release him. If the promotion elects to keep him around, it could extend his layoff for the foreseeable future by offering fights and then tacking on additional contract time if he refuses.

So far, no UFC fighter has been able to successfully sue his way out of contract, though several have taken legal action against the promoter. Covington believes he’s different.

“They know how valuable I am,” Covington said. “They know I am the biggest draw in the welterweight division and soon to be the biggest draw in the sport. They can’t stop my progression and my growth. I’m getting better every day. I’m 30 years young. Every time I step in the gym at American Top Team I’m getting better, I grow, I mature every single day. You haven’t seen the best of me yet, and they can’t keep me down. They can delay me, but they cannot deny me.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Dan Tom. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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