Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images
Donald Trump congratulated Colby Covington on his UFC main event victory.
Colby Covington defeated Tyron Woodley after a 5th round rib injury TKO, successfully beating the former welterweight champion and his long term rival. As he was being interviewed at the UFC post-fight show, President Donald Trump called Covington to congratulate him on the victory.
The conversation was filmed on camera, showing a very delighted Covington, who was still wearing his red Trump hat.
President Trump called @ColbyCovMMA during the #UFCVegas11 post show pic.twitter.com/FJsUMQV8Xk
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 20, 2020
“You are a great fighter,” Trump told Covington (transcribed by MMA Fighting). “You make it look so easy. I don’t know how you do it. Congratulations, I wanted to watch that fight tonight. You were great.
“That was easy work, relatively easy work. I’m proud of you,” Trump said. “I just made a big speech, I had 35,000 people, I said I want to get home now to watch Colby. That was fast work.
“I’m proud of you. I’m a big fan and I’m proud of you. You’re tough. You are something. I appreciated the shout out tonight, too. I’m your fan, you’re my fan. Two of a kind.”
A giddy Covington responded by saying that meeting him at a recent campaign rally fueled him for the contest. He also promised to win the belt and bring it to the White House.
“Thank you, Mr. President,” Covington replied. “You gave me the dragon energy when you shook my hand on Sunday at your rally.”