A Bold Request from Covington Ahead of UFC 296
In an unusual twist ahead of the highly anticipated welterweight title fight at UFC 296, Colby Covington has made a public request for former President Donald Trump to present the championship belt should he emerge victorious. Covington, known for his brash personality and outspoken support of Trump, is set to take on current champion Leon Edwards in Las Vegas with hopes of reclaiming the welterweight crown.
Covington's Third Shot at Glory
With two previous attempts under his belt, Covington is eyeing the undisputed welterweight championship for the third time. His professional mixed martial arts (MMA) record stands at 17 wins and 3 losses. Covington's last bout saw him facing off against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272, a fight that added another victory to his impressive record.
On the other side, Edwards enters the octagon with a formidable record of 21 wins, three losses, and one no-contest. The British fighter claimed the welterweight title at UFC 278 and successfully defended it at UFC 286, establishing himself as a dominant force in the division.
The Trump Connection
The friendship between Covington and Trump is well-documented, adding an intriguing layer to Covington's title quest. Trump, who attended UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden, has been a visible figure in Covington's career, with their relationship extending beyond the confines of the sport. "He is my good friend; it's not like I was just meeting up with him every couple of months," Covington remarked about the former president. "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."
Despite Dana White's typical role in presenting the championship belt, Covington has expressed a desire for a change in protocol. "I love Dana; he's the greatest promoter in the history of any sport; he's the greatest commissioner," Covington praised the UFC president. "But I'm politely and respectfully asking Dana to step aside and let my favorite person and human alive, 45, Mr. Donald Trump put that belt around my waist."
White, however, seems to have dismissed the idea of Trump accompanying Covington to the octagon, leaving the request unaddressed by the UFC thus far. It wouldn't be unprecedented for a celebrity to present the belt—Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson did so at a past UFC event—yet the involvement of a political figure of Trump's stature is certainly novel.
Covington's Confidence and Controversy
Covington's confidence is sky-high as he prepares for the bout with Edwards, whom he has referred to dismissively. "Leon is a nobody, he is the B-side and I'm the A-side," Covington stated, underscoring his belief that he is the main draw for the fight. He went on to tout the significance of having Trump in his corner: "I have the most important and famous person on planet earth coming to my fights to watch me front row. Who does Leon have?"
This rhetoric is characteristic of Covington, who has built a reputation for his confrontational style and trash talk leading up to his fights. While some see it as part of the mental warfare inherent in combat sports, others view it as crossing the line of sportsmanship. Regardless, it adds a layer of drama and anticipation to the upcoming event.
As UFC 296 approaches, fans are left to wonder whether Trump will indeed be the one to strap the belt around Covington's waist if he can overcome Edwards. The request, while bold, is a testament to the showmanship and spectacle that have become hallmarks of the UFC brand. Whether or not the organization will acquiesce to Covington's wishes remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be on the octagon when these two fighters clash for welterweight supremacy.