Colby covington fight in UFC 296. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/UFCEurope
Colby covington is one of the most controversial names in MMA. The North American, who will fight for the welterweight belt in UFC 296 next Saturday (16/12) against Leon edwards, is known for his provocative and controversial statements, both inside and outside the Octagon.
Since his professional debut in 2014, Covington has been involved in several verbal altercations with his opponents, fans and even public figures.
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But not everything is rosy in Colby's life. The fighter has also faced criticism and reprimands from his parents and his own public. In this special text, the SUPER FIGHTS recalls the North American's main controversies throughout his career.
Covington calls Brazil a “dump” and “filthy animals”
One of Covington's most serious controversies was when he called Brazil a “dumping ground” and referred to Brazilian fans as “filthy animals” in the post-fight interview following his victory over Demian Maia No. UFC Sao Paulo in 2017.
By facing an athlete beloved by a large part of the Brazilian fans, he found himself in hostile territory. The characteristic screams of 'uh, you're going to die' were frequent. But, with the victory, the fighter decided to fight back.
“Brazil, you are stupid. Whatever you think, it doesn't matter. You are filthy animals,” said the fighter.
“BRAZIL YOU'RE A DUMP!”
“All you filthy animals suck!”
😯
the moment Colby covington's heel turn was fully complete…#UFC245 | December 14 | BT Sport 1 HD pic.twitter.com/0v6TOZSBMK
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) December 9, 2019
Fight with Werdum
Later, the American revealed that his act was a response to the UFC's threat to cut him before the fight and stated that the speech saved his career. He then faced another Brazilian, Rafael dos Anjos, and again fired shots at the country saying that “he would be the next president”.
With the repercussions, Chaos gained the dislike of Brazilians. Fabricio Werdum, former UFC heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg), attacked the North American and threw a boomerang in his direction. The confusion happened at the Ultimate hotel in Australia.
@FabricioWerdum attacks @ColbyCovMMA with a boomerang outside the hotel for UFC Sydney! 😵 pic.twitter.com/MCadJmCaXu
- Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) November 16, 2017
Chaos as villain
Another controversy involving Covington was when he further embraced his villainous status before facing the former champion Robbie Lawler, which ended with his victory in the unanimous decision of the judges.
After the victory, Chaos, as he is known, took a shot at Lawler, having used the accident of another former champion and personal friend of Ruthless, Matt hugs, as the great trigger of the provocation.
The taunt referred to a near-fatal accident Hughes suffered in 2017, where he was permanently damaged when his truck was struck by a train at a railway crossing.
“Let's talk about the lesson we learned tonight: Robbie should have learned it from his good friend Matt hugs. You are off the tracks when the train is passing,” said the fighter during his post-fight interview.
Covington: Let's talk about the lesson we learned here tonight. It's a lesson Matt hugs learned: You stay off the track when the train is coming through.
- Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 3
Despite being criticized by the media, Colby refused to apologize, explaining that Matt had already done bad things to his family, including taking legal action.
Criticism of Black Lives Matter
Defender of the Republican Party and friend of Donald Trump, Colby covington He has also appeared in the news, criticizing movements such as Black Lives Matter and even basketball star LeBron James.
His statements were not limited to the octagon, as the fighter took the opportunity to classify Tyron woodley, former training partner and fighting rival, as a “coward” and criticizing LeBron James, in addition to questioning the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
“He didn’t want to fight anymore and looked for the easiest way out to escape. He's a coward, like LeBron James. These athletes use police officers as private security guards to ensure their safety and now they want to villainize them? Why? Because of the 0,1% of bad things they do? What about the 99,9% good things they do every day? What about 11/XNUMX, when they risked their lives to save people? I fight every day not only for the Trumps, but for the troops and the police,” Covington said in his post-fight speech.
The activist movement Black Lives Matter (Black Lives Matter) is a campaign against violence against black people and brings together protests against deaths caused by police officers, as well as racial inequality in the world.
Attack on Kamaru Usman
Colby covington he did not regret his words and even seemed to go further and further with some of them on other occasions.
In 2019, he said that Kamaru Usman, then champion and rival in his first chance to win the belt, would have been the reason for a heart attack for Glenn Robinson, who was the Nigerian's coach at Blackzilians and had died of a heart attack the previous year.
“He had a heart attack all those years you were avoiding me, but don't worry. He will be in hell on December 14th.”
The attempt to mess with the rival's psychology, however, backfired. The duel, held in UFC 249, ended with a knockout from Usman in the fifth round, in an even fight. The American even suffered a serious fracture in his jaw from the knockout.
RELENTLESS 😤
🏆🇳🇬 @ USMAN84kg closed R5 in full champion mode on Saturday!
Watch 'Fight Motion' ➡️ https://t.co/VYM7gXXr1j #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/hW4fVEGl5B
- UFC (@ufc) December 18, 2019
Innuendo of relationship with Polyana Viana
In March 2021, Covington created controversy by insinuating that he had a sexual relationship with fellow UFC fighter Polyana viana. In an interview with 'Submission Radio', the welterweight (77 kg) gave comments about the fighter, exposing a supposed intimate relationship between the two.
“There weren’t many conversations (about fighting with Leon edwards). I was having sex with Polyana viana, so to get me off the couch three weeks in advance to fight a certain Leon 'Scott' would have come at a high price. I wouldn’t show up for a normal purse to face that guy”, declared the fighter at the time.
Polyana viana ve Colby covington! pic.twitter.com/lf3PVCPfRK
— Kimura (@kimurasport) March 4, 2021
Later, Polyana confirmed that she had had a relationship with Colby, but disapproved of the attitude of exposing any relationship between them.
“Brazil was right. Sorry, Brazil. He called me on Instagram and I didn't know he was hated in Brazil. I was in Miami, he took me to a casino and was super nice. I received a message from who he was and asked him why he did that. He said he was a character and needed to attract attention”, countered the fighter in an interview with the Groselha Talk podcast.
Covington fights with Jorge Masvidal in restaurant
Covington's last controversy was when he got into a fight with Jorge masvidal in a restaurant after the two's fight in UFC 272 in March 2022. The two fighters, who were once friends and training partners, became rivals after a long dispute for protagonism at the American Top Team gym.
The rivalry culminated in a welterweight fight, which Caos won in a unanimous decision. After the fight, they met at a restaurant in Las Vegas, where they exchanged insults and shoves.
The disturbance was recorded by the police and quickly went viral on social media. Colby even lost a tooth in the fight, which was motivated and started by his rival.
Seeing Colby covington and Jorge masvidal end up like this after they've gone through together, for years, is heartbreaking 💔 pic.twitter.com/6jcWvyTa6i
— Jam (@Iswhatis1) September 27, 2023
Chance to conquer the world
Covington is the number one ranked challenger, although he has only scored one victory since his loss to Kamaru Usman by the title.
On his journey, he surpassed the likes of Tyron woodley, Jorge masvidal e Robbie Lawler, displaying a notable evolution in his striking technique and constant pressure.
The North American now faces Leon edwards and could become lineal welterweight champion (up to 77kg.). The fight takes place in UFC 296, the last numbered event of 2023, scheduled for December 16th.
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