Covington's Special Request
Colby Covington, the renowned mixed martial artist, has made a unique request ahead of his upcoming bout at UFC 296 in Las Vegas. The welterweight contender has expressed his desire for former President Donald Trump to present him with the championship belt should he emerge victorious and claim the welterweight title.
Typically, it is Dana White, the UFC President, who has the honor of wrapping the belt around the waist of the new champion inside the octagon. However, Covington has made it clear that he would prefer Trump to take on this role during his potential victory celebration. This is not entirely without precedent; celebrity appearances have been part of past UFC events, including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson presenting a title.
The Friendship Factor
The request stems from a personal connection between Covington and Trump, as the two share a strong friendship. Covington revealed that he had recently visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago and regularly communicates with him, even discussing strategies for his upcoming fight. Trump's presence at UFC events is not unheard of either; he was seen attending UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden.
Despite their friendship and Trump's interest in the sport, Dana White has dismissed the idea of Trump accompanying Covington to the octagon. The UFC itself has yet to make an official statement regarding Covington's request to have Trump involved in the title presentation.
Aiming for the Title
Covington is set to face Leon Edwards, with high stakes on the line as he aims to secure the undisputed welterweight champion title for the third time. His confidence is palpable as he prepares for what will be his third attempt at clinching the top spot in the welterweight division.
With a professional MMA record boasting 17 wins, three losses, and no draws, Covington is coming off a victory against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272. Meanwhile, his opponent, Edwards, holds a formidable record of 21 wins, three losses, and one no-contest. Edwards has proven his mettle by winning the welterweight title at UFC 278 and successfully defending it at UFC 286.
Covington's Confidence and Controversy
Covington has never been one to shy away from making bold statements, and his comments leading up to the fight underscore his belief in his ability to defeat Edwards. He has referred to himself as the "A-side" of the fight, dismissing Edwards as a "nobody" and the "B-side," despite Edwards' current status as champion.
In expressing his admiration for Dana White, Covington called him "the greatest promoter in the history of any sport." Yet, he followed this praise with a polite and respectful plea for White to step aside so that Trump could be the one to award him the title, should he win.
Covington's remarks extend beyond the realm of sports, touching on political and cultural sentiments by emphasizing the significance of Trump's support. He stated, "I'm going to put it right back around Donald's waist because he's the champion of the people," further highlighting his alignment with the former president.
His provocative comments continue as he downplays Edwards' backing, questioning, "I have the most important and famous person on planet earth coming to my fights to watch me front row. Who does Leon have?" Such statements fuel the promotional fire ahead of their clash, adding an extra layer of intrigue and personality to the event.
Conclusion
As UFC 296 approaches, all eyes will be on how the situation unfolds, both inside the octagon and in the ceremonial proceedings that follow. Whether or not Trump will be granted the opportunity to present the belt remains to be seen, but Covington's request certainly adds an additional storyline to an already highly anticipated fight.
Regardless of the outcome, Covington's bid for the welterweight title against Edwards promises to be a memorable encounter, punctuated by the fighter's brash confidence and the potential for a presidential appearance in the victory lane.