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UFC Pros React to Colby Covington vs Leon Edwards Heated Press Conference

Many UFC pros thought Covington took it too far at the UFC 296 presser.

Mathew Riddle

UFC Pros React to Colby Covington vs Leon Edwards Heated Press Conference
UFC Pros React to Colby Covington vs Leon Edwards Heated Press Conference /

Colby Covington set the MMA world alight with his controversial remarks at the UFC 296 pre-fight press conference on December 14.

Welterweight champion Leon Edwards launched his water bottle at Covington after "Chaos" remarked about Edward's late father, who was fatally shot when Edwards was a teenager:

"I'm bringing you to the seventh layer of hell," Covington stuttered. "And we'll say what's up to your dad while we're there."

Many pros and pundits thought Covington crossed the line.

The replacement fighter for UFC 296's main event, Belal Muhammad, remarked, "That's why I been saying Masvidal was right in giving this bozo brain damage and a chipped tooth."

Fighter manager Ali Abdelaziz had choice words for Covington after the quarrel:

Fellow welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov remarked, "When he's [Covington] face-to-face with me, he's not going to say anything."

MMA Fighting editor Damon Martin called Covington's trash talk "an abhorrent new low."

Flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev made a heated post to x:

Middleweight contender Marvin Vettori called Covington a "piece of s***," calling for "Chaos" to be assaulted:

Featherweight fighter Jack Shore remarked, "No defending Colby here. Scumbag move. Rocky by KO."

Even former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson - known for his trash talk - thought that Covington took it "too far:"

Without a doubt, Covington has placed himself on the precipice of a monumental setback if he falls short of claiming the belt this Saturday. Numerous fans, fighters, and pundits will be eagerly waiting to pounce on him in his moment of vulnerability.

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Mathew Riddle
MATHEW RIDDLE

Mathew is a UK-based combat sports journalist, graphic designer, and SEO expert with over five years of experience in digital marketing and a dedicated four-year track record in MMA journalism. He joined MMAKO in 2023. Mathew's insights have been featured on The Fight Fanatic, Heavy on UFC, Fansided, and Sportskeeda. Reach him at mr@thefightfanatic.com.

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