Colby Covington Eyes Presidential Belt Ceremony
In a move that's stirring up the UFC community, welterweight fighter Colby Covington has expressed his desire for former President Donald Trump to present him with the championship belt should he emerge victorious in his upcoming title fight. Known for breaking norms, Covington is not shy about leveraging his high-profile friendships to make a statement.
The brash contender is scheduled to face Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas. With his sights set firmly on the prize, Covington is looking to secure the undisputed welterweight championship for an impressive third time. The usual protocol sees UFC President Dana White strapping the belt around the winner's waist, but Covington has other plans and has made a public appeal for Trump's involvement in the ceremony.
While this request may seem outlandish to some, it's not without precedent. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has previously taken on the role of presenting a title at a UFC event, indicating that celebrity appearances in the octagon are not entirely off the table. However, the UFC has yet to issue a response to Covington's proposal, leaving fans and pundits alike to speculate on the possibility of its fulfillment.
Covington's connection with the former president is well-documented, with Trump having attended UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden, signaling a show of support for his friend. Despite their strong friendship, Dana White has dismissed the notion of Trump walking Covington to the octagon, perhaps indicating that while supportive, the organization has limits to the personal touches it will allow during its events.
Confidence is something Covington has in abundance, as he has made clear his intentions to defeat Edwards and reclaim the title. This bout marks Covington's third attempt to clinch the undisputed champion status, following a professional MMA record that boasts 17 wins against only three losses.
His last appearance in the octagon was against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272, a fight that added another victory to his record. On the other side, Edwards enters the fight with an equally impressive resume, holding 21 wins, three losses, and one no-contest. As the current welterweight champion, having won the title at UFC 278 and defended it successfully at UFC 286, Edwards is no stranger to high-stakes competition.
Covington's Unwavering Belief in Victory
Amidst the build-up to the fight, Covington has been vocal about his relationship with Trump, sharing details of their interactions and mutual support. "I love Dana; he's the greatest promoter in the history of any sport; he's the greatest commissioner," Covington acknowledged, paying homage to the UFC head honcho. Yet, he continues, "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."
Covington's admiration for Trump doesn't stop there. He has gone on record stating his intent to return the favor, saying, "I'm going to put it right back around Donald's waist because he's the champion of the people." It's clear that Covington views his bond with Trump as more than just a superficial friendship, emphasizing the depth of their connection. "He is my good friend, it's not like I was just meeting up with him every couple of months," he said. "I was at his house in Mar-a-Lago a couple of weeks ago, I call him regularly to ask him about a game plan. He's given me great coaching advice for this fight."
The welterweight fighter also took a moment to contrast his star-studded support with that of his opponent, taunting, "I have the most important and famous person on planet earth coming to my fights to watch me front row. Who does Leon have?" Covington then went on to disparage Edwards' drawing power, labeling him as "the B-side" while claiming the mantle of "the A-side" for himself.
As the anticipation for UFC 296 builds, all eyes will be on how this narrative unfolds. Will Trump grace the octagon with his presence, or will tradition hold firm with Dana White performing the honors? Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain: Colby Covington knows how to captivate an audience, both inside and outside the cage.