Very few in the mixed martial arts (MMA) community aren’t happy that Colby Covington couldn’t capture Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight gold at UFC 296 this past weekend (Dec. 16, 2023).
The third time wasn’t the charm for Miami, Florida’s “Chaos.” Tasked with the undisputed champion, Leon Edwards, Covington failed to make good on his bid for 170-pound supremacy as he lost a unanimous decision. Always one to talk a big game on the microphone, Covington fought uncharacteristically reserved once in the Octagon.
Covington’s outspoken nature got him on the bad side of essentially everyone in the sport at the pre-fight press conference. “Chaos” randomly commented on Edwards’ murdered father, saying he’ll join him in hell. An old roommate of Covington’s and current UFC Heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, was so pleased to see Covington lose that he’s now offered “Rocky” an early Christmas present.
“Leon Edwards, I couldn’t be more happy for you,” Jones tweeted. “As an American champion in this game, I salute you, that was truly a job well done. Let me know if I can gift you a motorcycle or something for Christmas. Feel like I owe you one [smiley face emoji]”
“Respect G.O.A.T it was easy work,” Edwards quote tweeted in response. “means a lot coming from you. I don’t ride bikes but I will take a rollie tho [three crying laughing emojis]”
Jones has been a target for Covington’s verbal jabs at every opportunity the champion has been brought up to the three-time Welterweight title challenger. The loss for Covington likely won’t prevent anymore in the future, but Jones should be safe while on the mend and out of the spotlight thanks to his recent torn pectoral muscle.
The win for Edwards was his second successful title defense and kept him unbeaten in his past 13 fights (22-3, 1 no contest overall).