Tag: leon edwards

Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn hopes Leon Edwards ‘Smashes that geezer’ Colby Covington at uFC 296

Eddie HearnBritish boxing promoter Eddie Hearn doesn’t care much for mixed martial arts, but even he has found himself emotionally…

Eddie Hearn

British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn doesn’t care much for mixed martial arts, but even he has found himself emotionally invested in Leon Edwards’ showdown against Colby Covington at UFC 296.

On Thursday, Edwards and Covington took the stage alongside other members of the UFC 296 main card at a press event inside T-Mobile Arena. It didn’t take long for ‘Chaos’ to take over the festivities, delivering a series of jabs to his opponent and other panelists that fell within the range of light-hearted to semi-distasteful. However, Covington clearly crossed the line when he made an absolutely vile comment about Leon Edwards’ deceased father.

During one of the many back-and-forth exchanges between the pair, Covington took things to an unnecessarily personal level, drawing the ire of fans and media members alike.

“I’m bringing you to the seventh layer of hell,” Covington told Edwards, before adding: “We’ll say ‘What’s up’ to your dad while we’re there.”

Edwards’ father was shot and killed in a London nightclub when the MMA star was just 13 years old. ‘Rocky’ has since said he believes the motive of the murderer was a dispute over money. 

Understandably upset, Edwards chucked a bottle at Covington before the two fighters stood up from their seats. Security quickly intervened, preventing things from escalating further. While getting both fighters back to their chairs, Covington continued pandering to the pro-America crowd in his elementary-level cosplay.

Eddie Hearn Condemns Covington’s ‘Horrible’ comment

Speaking with IFL TV, Eddie Hearn condemned Covington’s press conference comments, saying:

“I don’t know anything about UFC, I’ve met Leon a couple of times, lovely fella — I hope he smashes that geezer to pieces tomorrow night. Like, how can you say that? I know you can get carried away, but you’ve got to have some kind of compassion. That’s a horrible thing to say.”

Do you agree with Eddie Hearn? Did Covington go too far, or is there simply nothing considered off-limits in the fight game anymore?

Colby Covington goes into his third shot at the welterweight world title having gone 2-2 in his last four outings dating back to 2019. During that run, ‘Chaos’ suffered losses against then-champion Kamaru Usman on two separate occasions while scoring wins over Tyron Woodley and Jorge Masvidal, two fighters who have since retired from the sport following a series of defeats.

Video – Leon Edwards decks Colby Covington with water bottle after brutal jibe at late father ahead of UFC 296

Leon Edwards hits Colby Covington with water bottle after mocking late father's death ahead of UFC 296Tensions reached beyond boiling point tonight between UFC 296 headliners, champion, Leon Edwards and former interim gold holder, Colby…

Leon Edwards hits Colby Covington with water bottle after mocking late father's death ahead of UFC 296

Tensions reached beyond boiling point tonight between UFC 296 headliners, champion, Leon Edwards and former interim gold holder, Colby Covington – with the Birmingham native throwing a water bottle at the latter – who mentioned the defending champion’s late father, and alluding to the fact he resided in hell following his passing.

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight titleholder, headlined UFC 286 back in March most recently, turning in a close, majority decision win over former undisputed champion and common-foe, Kamaru Usman in the pair’s trilogy rubber match.

As for Clovis native, Covington, the former interim champion has been sidelined since he landed a one-sided unanimous decision win over former two-time title chaser, Jorge Masvidal back in March of last year. 

Colby Covington mocks Leon Edwards’ late father ahead of UFC 296

And appearing at tonight’s pre-fight press conference ahead of UFC 296, Covington – sporting regalia reminiscent of inaugural United States president, George Washington, former interim titleholder Covington mentioned Edwards late father, claiming he would introduce him to the parent when he drags him to a proverbial hell this weekend in the pair’s championship fight.

Immediately reacting to Covington’s comments, Edwards launched a water bottle in the direction of his incoming foe, striking him, before UFC security and officials corralled the duo, separating them before a further physical scuffle.

Goading a visibly upset Edwards, Covington was accused of crossing the proverial line with his jibe aimed at the former’s late father. 

Do you think Colby Covington crossed the line ahead of UFC 296?

Leon Edwards welcomes title fight with rival Ian Machado Garry after UFC 296: ‘He’s a bit of a snake’

Leon Edwards welcomes fight Ian Machado Garry after UFC 296 he's a bit of a snakePreparing to take on former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington at UFC 296 this weekend, incumbent division best, Leon…

Leon Edwards welcomes fight Ian Machado Garry after UFC 296 he's a bit of a snake

Preparing to take on former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington at UFC 296 this weekend, incumbent division best, Leon Edwards has welcomed the possibility of a run-in inside the Octagon with Irish contender, Ian Machado Garry in the future, branding the Dubliner a “snake” amid their recent training fall out. 

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 286 back in March of this year in London, landing a close, majority decision win over former champion and prior pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman in the pair’s championship trilogy rubber match.

Leon Edwards talks potential Ian Machado Garry clash

As for Machado Garry, the Portmarnock striker also features at UFC 296 this weekend – taking on perennial contender, Vicente Luque in a high-stakes main card clash, attempting to improve to 14-0 as a professional.

In his most recent outing, the former Team KF staple took home a one-sided unanimous decision shutout win over Neil Magny – defeating the division’s most winningest fighter at UFC 292 back in August in Boston.

And addressing the Dubliner’s recent booting from his home facility, Team Renagade BJJ & MMA in Birmingham, Edwards distanced himself from a prolonged rift, before welcoming a fight with the outspoken challenger in the future, whom was labelled a “snake” to boot.

“We didn’t really have a fall out,” Leon Edwards told TalkSPORT during a recent interview. “You know, he (Ian Machado Garry) trained at my gym for like two weeks. So, he wasn’t actually like a teammate, he kind of bounced around different gyms.”

“The coaches suspected he was a little bit of a snake because he was telling me information about gyms he has been at,” Leon Edwards explained. “We thought, ‘Maybe this guy is not the right guy for the gym’, and they asked him to leave. He’s got a big fight on his hands this Saturday night, and we’ll see down the line. If he keeps winning, why not? If he keeps winning, but I think he’s a long way away from the title shot.” 

Who wins in a future fight after UFC 296: Leon Edwards or Ian Machado Garry?

Leon Edwards issues stark warning to Colby Covington ahead of UFC 296: ‘He’s in for a totally different shock’

Leon Edwards issues warning to Colby Covington he's in for a total shock at UFC 296Undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards claims incoming foe, Colby Covington is in for a “rude awakening” come Saturday night…

Leon Edwards issues warning to Colby Covington he's in for a total shock at UFC 296

Undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards claims incoming foe, Colby Covington is in for a “rude awakening” come Saturday night at UFC 296 – as he prepares to attempt to defend his divisional crown for the second occasion.

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, returns to the Octagon this weekend in the main event of UFC 296 – taking on former interim titleholder, Covington in the pair’s long-awaited title fight grudge match.

Birmingham native, Edwards has been sidelined since he took main event honors at UFC 286 back in March in the UK, landing a close, majority decision win over three-time foe, Kamaru Usman in the pair’s rubber match trilogy in London. 

Himself sidelined since March of last year, Clovis native, Covington has yet to feature since he landed a one-sided unanimous decision win over former title challenger, Jorge Masvidal in another heated pairing between the former training partners. 

Leon Edwards issues warning to Colby Covington

And flapping gums with Covington throughout their entire build-up to this weekend’s title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada ahead of what promises to be an action-packed pre-fight press conference on Thursday in ‘Sin City’, Edwards claims Covington is in for a “big awakening” come this weekend.

“I don’t think [Colby Covington] is talented, he’s more like a hard worker,” Leon Edwards told MMA Fighting. “He’s more cardio than skills. But they’re judging the cardio off of him beating Robbie Lawler five years ago, six years ago. He’s in for a totally different shock. Robbie Lawler that was already washed, over the hill.” 

“All the wins that he gets confidence off are all older, washed guys,” Leon Edwards explained. “He’s in for a rude awakening come Saturday night.” 

Who wins at UFC 296 this weekend: Leon Edwards or Colby Covington?

Leon Edwards issues stark warning to Colby Covington ahead of UFC 296: ‘He’s in for a totally different shock’

Leon Edwards issues warning to Colby Covington he's in for a total shock at UFC 296Undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards claims incoming foe, Colby Covington is in for a “rude awakening” come Saturday night…

Leon Edwards issues warning to Colby Covington he's in for a total shock at UFC 296

Undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards claims incoming foe, Colby Covington is in for a “rude awakening” come Saturday night at UFC 296 – as he prepares to attempt to defend his divisional crown for the second occasion.

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, returns to the Octagon this weekend in the main event of UFC 296 – taking on former interim titleholder, Covington in the pair’s long-awaited title fight grudge match.

Birmingham native, Edwards has been sidelined since he took main event honors at UFC 286 back in March in the UK, landing a close, majority decision win over three-time foe, Kamaru Usman in the pair’s rubber match trilogy in London. 

Himself sidelined since March of last year, Clovis native, Covington has yet to feature since he landed a one-sided unanimous decision win over former title challenger, Jorge Masvidal in another heated pairing between the former training partners. 

Leon Edwards issues warning to Colby Covington

And flapping gums with Covington throughout their entire build-up to this weekend’s title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada ahead of what promises to be an action-packed pre-fight press conference on Thursday in ‘Sin City’, Edwards claims Covington is in for a “big awakening” come this weekend.

“I don’t think [Colby Covington] is talented, he’s more like a hard worker,” Leon Edwards told MMA Fighting. “He’s more cardio than skills. But they’re judging the cardio off of him beating Robbie Lawler five years ago, six years ago. He’s in for a totally different shock. Robbie Lawler that was already washed, over the hill.” 

“All the wins that he gets confidence off are all older, washed guys,” Leon Edwards explained. “He’s in for a rude awakening come Saturday night.” 

Who wins at UFC 296 this weekend: Leon Edwards or Colby Covington?