Covington's Special Request for Trump
In a move that is stirring up the world of mixed martial arts, Colby Covington has made an unusual request ahead of his upcoming welterweight title fight. Covington has expressed his desire for former President Donald Trump to be the one to place the championship belt around his waist should he emerge victorious at UFC 296 in Las Vegas.
Typically, UFC President Dana White is the figure seen presenting the belt to the champion inside the octagon. However, Covington, known for his outspoken support of Trump, wishes to see his friend and political ally take on this role instead. It's worth noting that this wouldn't be the first time a celebrity has presented a title; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson had the honor at a previous UFC event.
While the UFC has yet to make any public comments regarding Covington's request, White has already dismissed the idea of Trump accompanying Covington to the octagon, leaving the possibility of Trump's involvement in the belt ceremony uncertain.
A Friendship Beyond the Octagon
The bond between Covington and Trump extends beyond mere fanfare. Trump has been present at a past UFC event, notably attending UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Covington has also revealed the depth of their relationship by sharing details of his visits to Mar-a-Lago and regular phone calls with Trump, where he even receives advice on his fighting strategy.
"He is my good friend, it's not like I was just meeting up with him every couple of months," Covington stated, highlighting the closeness of their friendship. He went on to emphasize the importance of Trump's presence at his fights, comparing his high-profile supporter to his opponent's backers, "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 vs. Edwards: The Road to UFC 296
As Covington prepares to face Leon Edwards, he is not shy about exuding confidence in his ability to reclaim the welterweight title. This bout marks his third attempt at securing the undisputed championship, a feat he aims to achieve for the third time. With a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) record of 17 wins, 3 losses, and no draws, Covington's 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 match with a formidable record of 21 wins, three losses, and one no-contest. Having captured the welterweight title at UFC 278 and successfully defended it at UFC 286, Edwards is undoubtedly a strong champion. However, Covington dismisses his opponent's status, boldly proclaiming, "Leon is a nobody, he is the B-side and I'm the A-side."
Amidst the bravado and pre-fight banter, Covington has not forgotten to pay homage to the man who usually presents the championship belt. "I love Dana; he's the greatest promoter in the history of any sport; he's the greatest commissioner," Covington praised, signaling his respect for White despite his special request. Yet, his admiration for Trump shines through as he asserts, "But I'm politely and respectfully ask[ing] Dana to step aside and let my favorite person and human alive, 45, Mr. Donald Trump put that belt around my waist."
Covington's rhetoric continues to stir interest in the fight, as he promises to return the favor to Trump, "I'm going to put it right back around Donald's waist because he's the champion of the people," further cementing the narrative of their camaraderie.
Anticipation Builds for UFC 296
The anticipation for UFC 296 is mounting, with fans eager to see if Covington can live up to his words and regain the title. Whether or not Trump will be involved in the potential victory celebration remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Covington's bold personality and his quest for the championship are set to make this one of the most talked-about events in recent UFC history.
The outcome of the fight will either solidify Edwards' standing as the welterweight champion or herald the triumphant return of Covington to the top of the division. As the fighters prepare, the world watches, awaiting the culmination of this intense rivalry and the possible intersection of sports and politics in an unprecedented post-fight ceremony.