Leon Edwards was not the only one offended by Colby Covington during the UFC 296 pre-fight press conference. After the former interim welterweight champ made a harsh comment involving Edwards’ murdered father, UFC fighters started supporting the Briton’s goal to defeat “Chaos.”
During the event, Covington made several remarks to multiple UFC fighters, but Edwards received the worst after the opponent made reference to his father, who was murdered when he was only 13.
“On Saturday night, I’m going to bring you to a place you never want to be,” Covington said. “I’m going to bring you to the seventh level of hell. We’ll say what’s up to your dad while we’re there.”
The comment almost caused a fight after “Rocky” threw a bottle and charged toward Covington, who didn’t hesitate and tried to welcome the fight. While the conflict was prevented and didn’t happen again during the two fighters’ faceoff, Edwards’ will to destroy the American just got stronger.
“That man is as good as dead tomorrow,” Edwards said. “Make sure he keeps everything he said about my dad…tomorrow, we settle it.”
Other fighters are now rallying beside the English fighter in this plan. One includes middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who expressed dislike toward Covington’s remark.
“Him making fun of Leon’s dad, that is the biggest f*cking c*nt move you can do,” said Strickland during the 2024 UFC seasonal press conference. “Leon’s mom, dad – bad guy or good guy, it doesn’t matter. She raised a boy to be a f*cking man, to win a title and be a good man. A real f*king American would applaud him for that. He wouldn’t tear him down. Colby is a fake f*king p*ssy. If he were standing here right now, the only thing he would do is call 911 because he’s the definition of a f*cking b*tch.”
Jamahal Hill also expressed dislike over Covington’s words and expressed support for Edwards. In a recent tweet, the former light heavyweight champion shared his hope for Edwards’ victory.
I hope Leon delivers one of the most brutal knocks will have ever seen on Saturday!!!! That comment about Leon’s father was so low and pathetic bro somebody like that should never have a belt!!!
Fellow English fighter Paddy Pimblett also expressed exasperation over the comment, suggesting Edwards should avenge himself by taking down the trash-talking fighter.
“That was way too far,” Pimblett said during the UFC’s weigh-in show. “I wanted to jump up and punch him in the back of the head. I wanted to hit him. That was way too far. You can’t say something about someone’s dad.
“I hope he knocks [Covington] clean out. I hope he sends him to the shadow realm.
“I think he’ll go out thinking of his dad and knock him clean out. I can’t see Colby Covington lasting five rounds with him. I know he’s got the cardio; he’s got the takedowns. If Usman couldn’t take [Edwards] down — and I know MMA math doesn’t work, but Colby couldn’t take Usman down, he’s not going to be able to take Edwards down. I can see Edwards beating him up for three rounds and then knocking him out.”
