MMA Knockout

UFC Quote: Colby Covington Insists He Isn't Playing A Character: “I’m a Guy That Just Turns it Up to 11”

The former UFC interim welterweight champion clarified his actions toward Leon Edwards leading up to their fight.

Zain Bando

UFC Quote: Colby Covington Insists He Isn't Playing A Character: “I’m a Guy That Just Turns it Up to 11”
UFC Quote: Colby Covington Insists He Isn't Playing A Character: “I’m a Guy That Just Turns it Up to 11” /

Despite Colby Covington losing a unanimous decision to Leon Edwards in UFC 296's main event Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nev., the former interim welterweight champion didn’t hold back when present at the post-fight press conference.

A dark press conference took place Thursday afternoon at the MGM Grand, as Covington said some choice words toward Edwards, going as far as making fun of his deceased father.

Dana White Announces MVP vs. UFC Veteran For March Event

Regardless of the backlash, Covington quickly dismissed it, saying it’s part of the sport.

“Not at all,” Covington said when asked about his sarcastic comments. “There is no character. I'm a guy that just turns it up to 11.

Covington said he has yet to reach his full potential despite three losses in championship fights over the last four years.

"I don't care what people think of me, man," he continued. "You can hate me. You can love me. You can be indifferent. It makes no difference. I'm here to do the biggest and best business for this company [the UFC]. I love this company. I just signed a new contract with them, so I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. I'm gonna be around for many years to come. The best is yet to come for me. I truly believe that, and I'm gonna create a lot more special moments in this company and keep making history. That's what I've done since the beginning. And, you know, my legacy is not set yet"

Covington also took his comments a step further, even though the judges gave the fight to Edwards, as all three scored it 49-46. The challenger, however, felt differently.

"I did [think I had done enough to win the fight]," Covington said. "I thought the third, fourth, and fifth round were mine. The fifth was mine easily. The fourth I thought was mine as well, too. You know, I thought I did enough in the third. You know, he didn't put any damage on me. He got a couple, low kicks, but then he started checking them at the end. So, you know, I thought I had the win. I thought did enough."

He said he has a theory of why he lost, citing political bias.

"The judges have never favored me," Covington said. "They hate me because I support Trump, and, you know, everyone hates Trump in this building. So, you know, it is what it is. Life goes on."

Covington said he has yet to speak to the former president but said that he plans to contact him to thank him for coming to the fight.

With the defeat, Covington has now lost three of his last five fights and will have to go back to the drawing board to find himself in title contention status again.

Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC and MMA.

Follow MMA Knockout on Twitter and Facebook. 

Published
Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99

Home/UFC