Covington's Special Request for Trump
In a move that has stirred up the mixed martial arts community, Colby Covington has expressed his desire for former President Donald Trump to play a significant role in his potential victory at UFC 296. Covington, who is gearing up to face Leon Edwards in Las Vegas, hopes to secure the welterweight title for what would be the third time in his career.
Traditionally, UFC President Dana White is the one who straps the belt around the waist of the new champion. However, Covington has made a unique request, asking for Trump to do the honors instead. As of now, the UFC has not issued any statements regarding this unusual request.
This wouldn't be the first time a high-profile figure has presented a title in the octagon; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has had the honor at a previous UFC event. Covington's connection with Trump is well-documented, highlighted by their strong personal friendship. The former president was present at UFC 295, which took place at Madison Square Garden, showcasing his support for the sport and its athletes.
Despite the camaraderie between Covington and Trump, White has dismissed the idea of Trump accompanying Covington to the octagon. Nonetheless, Covington remains undeterred and is exuding confidence about his upcoming bout with Edwards.
Covington's Pursuit of Championship Glory
The fight against Edwards marks Covington's third shot at becoming the undisputed welterweight champion. With a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) record of 17-3-0, Covington is no stranger to the pressures of high-stakes competition. His last appearance in the UFC octagon was against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272, a matchup that added another win to his impressive record.
On the other side of the octagon stands Leon Edwards, whose own record boasts 21 wins, three losses, and one no-contest. Edwards captured the welterweight title at UFC 278 and successfully defended it at UFC 286, establishing himself as a formidable champion within the division.
Covington's Admiration for Trump
Covington's admiration for Trump is palpable in his statements. "I love Dana; he's the greatest promoter in the history of any sport; he's the greatest commissioner," said Covington. He continued, "But I'm politely and respectfully asking Dana to step aside and let my favorite person and human alive, number 45, Mr. Donald Trump, put that belt around my waist."
The fighter's relationship with Trump extends beyond mere public support, as Covington reveals personal interactions with the former president. "He is my good friend; it's not like I was just meeting up with him every couple of months," Covington explained. "I was at his house in Mar-a-Lago a couple of weeks ago, I call him regularly to ask him about a gameplan. He's given me great coaching advice for this fight."
Covington also leverages his association with Trump to taunt his opponent, suggesting that Trump's attendance underscores his prominence over Edwards. "I have the most important and famous person on planet earth coming to my fights to watch me front row. Who does Leon have?" he posed rhetorically, before dismissing Edwards as a "nobody" and labeling himself the "A-side" of the fight.
"I'm going to put it right back around Donald's waist because he's the champion of the people," Covington declared, signaling his intention to honor Trump should he emerge victorious from the highly anticipated match.
The forthcoming battle between Covington and Edwards is not just a contest for the welterweight championship but also a reflection of the larger-than-life personalities that inhabit the world of UFC. As the fight night approaches, fans and pundits alike are eager to see whether Covington's bold requests will come to fruition and if his confidence will translate into reclaiming the welterweight title.