Tag: UFC 296

Colby Covington Doubles Down on Disgusting Comment About Leon Edwards’ Father: ‘I Don’t Feel Bad’

Colby CovingtonIf you thought maybe Colby Covington had a hint of regret regarding the comment he made about Leon Edwards’…

Colby Covington

If you thought maybe Colby Covington had a hint of regret regarding the comment he made about Leon Edwards’ father, guess again.

The perennial welterweight contender doubled down on his disgusting comment at the UFC 296 press event on Thursday during a follow-up interview, making it clear that he has no remorse over the verbal low blow.

“What about all the victims of the harm that Leon’s father did to them”? asked Covington in a chat with AG Fight. “He was a sex trafficker. He was a drug lord. He killed people. The guy’s a scumbag. Why would I feel bad for that? I have no sympathy for that guy. What about all the victim’s families that live on right now that have to live through all of things he did to them? How he tormented those people.

“So no I don’t feel bad for him. The truth hurts and that’s why people hate me. I’m not afraid to say the truth and you know the truth is what always stings the worst” (h/t MMA Mania).

Leon Edwards had previously commented about his father’s involvement in organized crime during an interview with the Guardian, saying:

“My dad was a gang leader in my area and so I was one of the few kids who had a bicycle and a skateboard. If you consider the cards he was dealt, my dad did the best he could.”

Edwards’ father was shot and killed in a nightclub when ‘Rocky’ was 13 years old.

Covington’s initial comment drew the ire of fighters and fans alike with everyone from Jon Jones, Jamahal Hill, Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, Belal Muhammad, and Megan Anderson condemning the welterweight star’s hateful remark.

During the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday, Covington was spotted telling Edwards that he was “in character” while making the vile gibe, leading some to suspect that ‘Chaos’ was feeling some semblance of guilt.

Clearly, that’s not the case.

Andre Fili Scores First-Round TKO Against Lucas Almeida With a Cracking Right Hand – UFC 296 (Highlights)

Andre FiliLosing three of his last four inside the Octagon, Andre Fili was hard-pressed for a win at UFC 296…

Andre Fili

Losing three of his last four inside the Octagon, Andre Fili was hard-pressed for a win at UFC 296 on Saturday night.

Fili stepped into the cage determined to close out 2023 on a high note and he did exactly that, scoring a brutal first-round knockout of Brazilian standout Lucas Almeida during the early prelims portion of the final pay-per-view event of the year.

With nearly 90 seconds left in the opening round, ‘Touchy’ uncockred a short right hook that caught Almeida on the button and sent him crashing to the canvas.

Following his opponent to the ground, Fili unleashed a flurry of strikes that forced the referee to step in, calling for the stoppage and giving fans their second finish in as many fights.

Official Result: Andre Fili def. Lucas Almeida TKO at 3:32 of Round 1

Check Out Highlights from andre fili vs. lucas almeida at UFC 296 below:

Sean Strickland condemns Sean O’Malley and Dricus Du Plessis’ comments About His Abusive Childhood

Sean StricklandEven for a fighter as outspoken as Sean Strickland, there is such a thing as going too far. The…

Sean Strickland

Even for a fighter as outspoken as Sean Strickland, there is such a thing as going too far.

The last 48 hours have delivered some of the most vile trash talk in UFC history. Welterweight title challenger Colby Covington kicked things off on Thursday, making a disgusting comment about Leon Edwards’ deceased father that was quickly condemned by practically everyone.

Unfortunately, that incident merely opened the floodgates for a series of personal attacks to go down at the UFC Seasonal Press Conference on Friday evening. Taking the stage, reigning middleweight world champion Sean Strickland had it out with both Sean O’Malley and the man he’s expected to defend his title against next month at UFC 297, Dricus Du Plessis.

‘Tarzan’ first directed his attention toward O’Malley, slamming the current bantamweight titleholder for “trying to let dudes f*ck his wife.” The comment was in reference to O’Malley’s open relationship with his wife, Danya Gonzalez.

O’Malley quickly snapped back, saying “At least my dad didn’t f*ck me,” a clear dig at Strickland’s history of being abused as a child.

Later on at the press event, Strickland found himself in a heated verbal confrontation with Dricus Du Plessis. Taking a page out of Sean O’Malley’s playbook, ‘Stillknocks’ went the personal route in his attack.

“You think your dad beat the sh*t out of you? Your dad doesn’t have sh*t on me,” Du Plessis said. “Every childhood memory you have is gonna come back when I’m in there with you.”

Sean Strickland Calls O’Malley and Du Plessis’ comments an ‘utter disgrace’

Strickland simply rolled with the punches in both instances but following the event, ‘Tarzan’ took to social media and delivered a surprisingly lengthy response, condemning the comments from O’Malley and Du Pless.

“I expect nothing less from O’Malley and Dricus,” Strickland wrote on X. “Next time come at me as a man… Clearly you don’t know what that means…… I just wanna say one thing that I feel needs to be said.. There are a lot of kids out there who have been abused and molested and it’s a damn tragic thing that forever changes you. How you function, how you view the world, how you treat relationships, how you handle addiction and for someone to put you down with that level of trauma on a world stage is an utter disgrace..

“I have a big following of people who suffered trauma, molestation and I will tell you that it’s not funny to me, whatever you’ve gone through or have been through isn’t funny to me…….. I hope you all understand that these are weak men who don’t understand hardship, they don’t understand what it’s like to live with demons… Forever a struggle they will never understand.”

It’s a surprisingly sensitive approach from Strickland, a guy who carelessly hurled homophobic slurs while being bullied over his abusive past.

Paddy Pimblett wanted to ‘Jump Up and Punch’ Colby Covington after Shameful Joke About Leon Edwards’ Dad

Paddy PimblettAdd Paddy Pimblett’s name to the growing list of fighters hoping to see Colby Covington get his comeuppance at…

Paddy Pimblett

Add Paddy Pimblett’s name to the growing list of fighters hoping to see Colby Covington get his comeuppance at UFC 296.

Covington is a fighter best known for his ability to get under the skin of his opponents, but the staunch Trump supporter clearly took things too far during Thursday’s press event in Las Vegas when he made an unsavory joke about Leon Edward’s late father. Practically everyone in the MMA community has condemned Covington’s statement, including Jon Jones, Sean Strickland, Derek Brunson, and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.

Sitting to the left of Covington when the verbal low blow was dished out, Paddy Pimblett had a strong desire to stand up and wallop the outspoken welterweight title challenger in the head.

“I wanted to jump up and punch him in the back of the head,” said Pimblett. “I wanted to hit him. That was way too far. You can’t say something like that about someone’s dead relative. Someone said something about my nan or grandma, I’d jump up and punch him in the face.

“I hope he knocks him clean out. I hope he sends him to the shadow realm” (h/t MMA Mania).

Covington attempted to make amends during the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday, telling Leon Edwards that he was simply “in character” when he made the abominable jibe.

Covington steps into UFC 296 on Saturday night for his third opportunity to claim the 170-pound crown after coming up short against former champion Kamaru Usman on two separate occasions.

Edwards captured the title against the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ at UFC 278, scoring a stunning fifth-round head kick KO with less than a minute to go in the fight. He has since defended the title against Usman in March, walking away with a unanimous decision victory and his gold intact.

UFC 296: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington – Live Streams, Start Times, Full Fight Card

UFC 296 Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington start time live streams full fight cardComing as the final fight card of the year for the UFC, tonight’s flagship event at UFC 296 features…

UFC 296 Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington start time live streams full fight card

Coming as the final fight card of the year for the UFC, tonight’s flagship event at UFC 296 features a championship doubleheader, as well as a host of former champions and former title challengers littered amongst a action-packed event.

Taking main event status at UFC 296; the promotion’s final event of 2023, an undisputed welterweight title fight featuring defending champion, Leon Edwards, and former interim gold holder, Colby Covington.

In the night’s co-main event, a flyweight championship rematch between returning Brazilian favroite, Alexandre Pantoja, and division contender, Brandon Royval takes place. Back in August 2021, in their initial showdown, Pantoja landed an impressive win over Royval, submitting the emerging challenger with a second round rear-naked choke win.

Also on the main card, former two-time welterweight championship chaser, Stephen Thompson returns for the first time in a year – taking on unbeaten finishing ace, Shavkat Rakhmonov in a pivotal welterweight showdown.

Also making his return to the Octagon for the first time in a year, Liverpool lightweight force, Paddy Pimblett looks to keep his promotional perfect run intact as he takes on former interim division gold holder, Tony Ferguson on the main card.

On the preliminary card, former bantamweight title challenger, Irene Aldana makes her first walk since she dropped a UFC 289 title fight defeat to Amanda Nunes, while former undisputed bantamweight best, Cody Garbrandt takes on Brian Kelleher in his return to action at UFC 296. 

UFC 296 Start Times:

Tonight’s action reverts to a usual late-night start time for the United States and North American fans, with the early preliminary card available to watch from 6:30 PM ET. The late preliminary card section – which contains four fights currently, kicks off at 8 pm ET. And then finally, a stacked main card can be watched at 10 PM ET.

UFC 296 Live Streams: 

UFC 296’s early preliminary section can be viewed on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass, with the later preliminary action available on ESPN2 and EPSN+ in the United States – while UK and Ireland viewers can watch the action on TNT Sports. Tonight’s main card kicks off on PPV and ESPN+ PPV in North America, while UK and Irish fans can take in the action via TNT Sports Box Office. 

UFC 296 Full Card: 

Main Card –

Welterweight: Leon Edwards (c) vs. Colby Covington

Flyweight: Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Brandon Royval

Welterweight: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson

Lightweight: Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett

Featherweight: Josh Emmett vs. Bryce Mitchell

Preliminary Card – 

Light Heavyweight: Alonzo Menifield vs. Dustin Jacoby

Bantamweight: Irene Aldana vs. Karol Rosa

Bantamweight: Cody Garbrandt vs. Brian Kelleher

Flyweight: Casey O’Neill vs. Ariane Lipski

Early Preliminary Card –

Flyweight: Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Cody Durden

Featherweight: Andre Fili vs. Lucas Almeida 

Heavyweight: Martin Buday vs. Shamil Gaziev

Colby Covington Claims he was ‘In Character’ After Making repulsive joke about Leon Edwards’ late father

Colby Covington Leon EdwardsColby Covington made a lot of enemies following his appearance at Thursday’s UFC 296 press conference in Las Vegas….

Colby Covington Leon Edwards

Colby Covington made a lot of enemies following his appearance at Thursday’s UFC 296 press conference in Las Vegas.

That’s nothing new for the outspoken welterweight title challenger, but even Colby Covington’s most staunch supporters can agree that ‘Chaos’ took things too far when he made an unnecessarily vile comment about Leon Edwards’ father who passed away when he was only 13 years old.

Everyone from Jon Jones, Jamahal Hill, and Sean Strickland lambasted Covington over his verbal low blow, but according to Covington, he was simply playing a role. At least, that’s what he tried to convey during an intense face-off with Edwards at the ceremonial weigh-ins 24 hours before his highly anticipated title tilt with Edwards.

Stepping in front of one another, ‘Rocky’ was still clearly upset and looked ready to throw hands right then and there. It was then that Covington could be heard saying, “I was in character.” He repeated the statement once more before Edwards would back away. The most recent episode of UFC 296 Embedded confirmed Covington’s comment at the 7:50 mark of the below video.

not the First Time Colby Covington’s Words Have Gotten him in trouble

Colby Covington fans will often regale you with tales of how their MAGA-loving hero was once on the verge of being released by the UFC before coming up with his over-the-top ‘Chaos’ persona. In most cases, that explanation is used to justify some of the more disgusting things that Covington says in his attempt to curry hype and chase clout.

Of course, not everyone is willing to accept that explanation. Especially when Covington makes things particularly personal, as was the case with his fight against Jorge Masvidal in March 2022.

“The guy’s a piece of sh*t,” Covington said in an interview with TheMACLife ahead of UFC 261. “He doesn’t care about his kids. I was just with his ex-wife yesterday.”

That and calling Masvidal a “deadbeat dad” was enough for ‘Gamebred’ to take things into his own hands, literally. Weeks removed from Covington’s unanimous decision victory over his former friend at UFC 272, Masvidal attacked ‘Chaos’ outside of a Miami steakhouse. Masvidal reportedly sucker-punched Covington in the incident, fracturing his tooth and causing head trauma.

Masvidal has since pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge. He was sentenced to time served.