A Bold Request from Covington Ahead of UFC 296
In a move that's as unprecedented as it is bold, Colby Covington has expressed his desire for former President Donald Trump to be the one presenting him with the welterweight title should he emerge victorious at UFC 296. Covington, who has never been shy about his political affiliations or personal connections, is poised to face Leon Edwards in what promises to be a thrilling encounter in Las Vegas.
The stakes are high for Covington as he aims to secure the undisputed welterweight championship for the third time in his career. Typically, UFC President Dana White handles the honor of strapping the belt around the winner's waist. However, Covington has made a special request for Trump to take on this role instead.
While there has been no official response from the UFC regarding Covington's unusual petition, the organization has previously seen celebrities participate in such ceremonies. Notably, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was involved in presenting a title at a past event, suggesting that there might be a precedent for such a personal touch.
Covington's connection with Trump is well-documented, with the fighter often speaking highly of their friendship. Trump has shown support for Covington by attending UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden, further cementing their bond in the public eye. Despite this, White has downplayed the idea of Trump accompanying Covington to the octagon, leaving some doubt about whether Covington's request will be granted.
Confidence is not something Covington lacks, especially when it comes to his upcoming bout against Edwards. He has made it clear that he sees himself as the superior fighter, referring to himself as the A-side and dismissing Edwards as the B-side. This fight marks Covington's third attempt to claim the undisputed championship, and with a professional MMA record of 17-3-0, he certainly has the credentials to back up his confidence.
Edwards, the current titleholder, is no pushover, boasting an impressive record of 21 wins, three losses, and one no-contest. He claimed the welterweight title at UFC 278 and successfully defended it at UFC 286, establishing himself as a formidable champion in his own right.
Covington's Relationship with Trump and the UFC Community
Covington's admiration for Trump extends beyond mere fandom. "I love Dana; he's the greatest promoter in the history of any sport; he's the greatest commissioner," Covington has said, lauding the UFC president. Yet, he continued, "But I'm politely and respectfully asking Dana to step aside and let my favorite person and human alive, 45, Mr. Donald Trump put that belt around my waist."
His reverence for the former president is palpable. "I'm going to put it right back around Donald's waist because he's the champion of the people," Covington declared, signaling his intent to honor Trump with his potential victory. The relationship between the two seems to go beyond mere acquaintanceship, with Covington claiming regular visits and phone calls with Trump. "He is my good friend, it's not like I was just meeting up with him every couple of months," he stated, revealing that he had recently visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago and even discussed fight strategies with him.
Covington's bravado shines through when discussing the support he receives. "I have the most important and famous person on planet earth coming to my fights to watch me front row. Who does Leon have?" he questioned rhetorically, emphasizing the star power he believes Trump brings to his corner.
The psychological warfare has begun well ahead of the physical confrontation, with Covington aiming verbal jabs at his opponent. "Leon is a nobody, he is the B-side and I'm the A-side," he stated, attempting to get into Edwards' head before they even step into the octagon.
As the fight approaches, the MMA community is abuzz with anticipation, not only for what promises to be an explosive matchup but also to see whether Covington's request will come to fruition. Will Trump be present to potentially wrap the belt around Covington's waist? That remains to be seen, but what is certain is that all eyes will be on UFC 296 when Covington and Edwards clash for welterweight supremacy.