Some UFC press conferences are dark, others are just plain ugly.
The UFC 296 pre-fight ceremony was a little bit of both, thanks to the boorish antics of No. 3-ranked welterweight contender Colby Covington. “Chaos” used his mic time to fumble through his scripted shtick, which included a shot at Leon Edwards’ late father.
“On Saturday night, I’m going to bring you to a place you never want to be,” Covington barked. “I’m going to bring you to the seventh layer of hell. We’ll say ‘what’s up’ to your dad while we’re there.”
Not surprisingly, that led to a physical altercation onstage.
In the aftermath of the UFC 296 press conference (watch the replay here), MMA Twitter was united in its disdain for Covington’s antics. But as we learned during this uncomfortable face off, fighters have permission to say … well, just about anything.
His fellow MMA combatants were not impressed.
That’s why I been saying masvidal Was right in giving this bozo brain damage and a chipped tooth
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 15, 2023
I hope Leon delivers one of the most brutal knocks will have ever seen on Saturday!!!! That comment about Leons father was so low and pathetic bro somebody like that should never have a belt!!!
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) December 15, 2023
I think Colby Covington took it too far at the press conference today
— Rampage Jackson (@Rampage4real) December 15, 2023
What a piece of shit
Thats why you gotta bottle the fucker in the back of his head he don’t deserve a fair fight https://t.co/Bkwec6OgcV— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) December 15, 2023
No defending Colby here. Scumbag move. Rocky by ko https://t.co/pA1l5ST36D
— Jack ‘Tank’ Shore (@jackshoremma) December 15, 2023
Colby is POS for talking smack about Leon’s father
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) December 15, 2023
Colby made a remark about Leon deceased father at the press conference from my understanding . Doesn’t get any unclassier than that . Masvidal come serve him some more act right ! What a clown
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 15, 2023
Scum bag Colby. Ppl need to be held accountable for their words. Hope he gets KOd https://t.co/VUlX4h16b5
— LERONE MURPHY (@LeroneMurphy) December 15, 2023
There’s trash talking in mma, but to stoop to that level.. absolutely disgusting by Colby #UFC296
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) December 15, 2023
Covington also took shots at Ian Garry, who withdrew from UFC 296 due to illness.
“I feel like Colby’s edge is played out a little bit,” former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker told Main Event (transcribed by MMA News). “Obviously he’s still out there and he still mouths off like you would not believe. I think we said it before the recording, he’s like a real life keyboard warrior. It’s unreal and he’s definitely going to do that stuff, but I feel like that’s been played out a bit.”
Played out and laid out.
The best revenge for Edwards would be to retain his welterweight title with an emphatic victory in the upcoming UFC 296 pay-per-view (PPV) headliner, which takes place this Sat. night (Dec. 16, 2023) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, leaving Covington 0-3 in 170-pound title fights.
Until then, expect more of this nonsense.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 296 fight card right RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 296: “Edwards vs. Covington” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 296 fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.