Covington's Championship Ambitions and Presidential Request
Controversial UFC welterweight fighter Colby Covington has made an unusual request ahead of his upcoming title fight: he wants former President Donald Trump to present the championship belt if he emerges victorious. Covington is scheduled to face Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in Las Vegas, where he will attempt to claim the undisputed welterweight championship for an impressive third time.
While it is customary for UFC President Dana White to strap the belt around the waist of the champion, Covington has openly expressed his desire for Trump to take on this role. His request comes without a precedent; celebrities like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson have been involved in similar capacities before, having presented a title at a previous UFC event.
The relationship between Covington and Trump extends beyond mere acquaintanceship, with Covington emphasizing their strong friendship. Trump has shown support for Covington by attending UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden, demonstrating the duo's close ties. Despite this, White has already dismissed the idea of Trump accompanying Covington to the octagon, although the UFC itself has not issued an official statement regarding Covington's request.
Covington's confidence is sky-high as he prepares for his bout against Edwards. He views this fight as his third chance to secure the undisputed champion status, bolstered by a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) record of 17 wins, 3 losses, and no draws. His last appearance in the octagon was against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272, a fight that added to his impressive track record.
Edwards' Title Defense
Leon Edwards, the current titleholder, boasts a formidable record of 21 wins, three losses, and one no-contest. Edwards secured the welterweight title at UFC 278 and successfully defended it at UFC 286. As such, he presents a significant challenge to Covington’s championship aspirations.
Covington's Praise and Provocation
Covington has not shied away from singing the praises of both Dana White and Donald Trump. He has lauded White as "the greatest promoter in the history of any sport" and "the greatest commissioner." Yet, despite this admiration, Covington has respectfully asked White to step aside for Trump to have the honor of presenting the belt should he win.
His adoration for Trump is evident, as Covington plans to reciprocate the gesture by symbolically presenting the belt back to him, calling Trump "the champion of the people." Covington has highlighted the depth of their friendship, mentioning recent visits to Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence and regular phone calls that include discussions about fight strategies. Covington credits Trump with providing valuable coaching advice for his upcoming fight.
In a display of bravado typical of fight promotion, Covington has downplayed his opponent’s standing, claiming, "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 further asserts his dominance in the promotional aspect of the fight by labeling Edwards as "the B-side" and himself as "the A-side."
Conclusion
As UFC 296 approaches, the anticipation surrounding the welterweight title bout continues to build. While the UFC has remained silent on whether Trump will be granted the opportunity to present the belt, the storyline adds an intriguing layer to an already compelling matchup. Covington's pursuit of the championship, coupled with his bold personality, ensures that all eyes will be on the octagon when he faces off against Edwards. The outcome of this clash will determine if Covington can realize his goal of becoming a three-time undisputed welterweight champion, or if Edwards will once again successfully defend his title.