Colby Covington claims Leon Edwards’ late father was ‘a sex trafficker and drug lord who killed people’, as American doubles down on vile press conference jibe with ANOTHER vicious attack ahead of UFC 296 title

Colby Covington has claimed that Leon Edwards' late father was a sex trafficker and drug lord who killed people, doubling down on his vile comment at the press conference ahead of UFC 296.

Footage had emerged of Covington appearing to backtrack from the final confrontation, with some claiming he was 'in character' when he told Edwards he would leave his father – who was murdered when the Brit was 13 – 'in hell' to see. but now he has gone one step further.

In an interview with Ag.Fight, Covington delivered an extraordinary attack, saying, “What about all the victims of the damage Leon's father did to them? He was a sex trafficker, he was a drug lord, he killed people, that man is an asshole, why should I feel guilty about that, I have no sympathy for that man.

“What about the families of the victims who now have to live on, have to endure all the things he did to them, how he tormented those people?

'So no, I don't feel sorry for him, the truth hurts and that's why people hate me. I'm not afraid to tell the truth, and the truth is what always does the worst.

Edwards (left) was still seething with the vicious jibe during Friday's confrontation

'It is what it is, tomorrow night he can do whatever he wants with it, we have 25 minutes.

“If he wants to do something, punch me in the face, knock me out, give it a try, b****.”

Edwards' father was shot dead in a London nightclub when the MMA star was still a young teenager. He has previously said his father was involved in organized crime, telling the Guardian: 'My father was a gang leader in my area so I was one of the few kids who had a bicycle and a skateboard.

'If you look at the cards he was dealt, my father did his best. I know that he did the wrong thing by getting involved in crime and that this led to his downfall.

'But he had the talent to emigrate to Britain and soon brought his wife and children to join him for a better life.

“He didn't just leave us to be a good man, but under bad circumstances he made the wrong choices. But you have to remember that killings in Jamaica seemed normal. We were used to gunshots and death all around us.”

Edwards has never spoken about the details of the criminal activities involving his father. He was raised by his mother and previously remembers hearing the tragic news about his father as a young teenager.

He said: 'It was probably 2am. I was in my room. Mom was in her room. We hear the phone ringing. I heard her crying, and from that moment I knew something was bad, you know.

'Finally she came into my room and told me this: your father has just been murdered in London. It had something to do with money. I don't know exactly what. It was crazy s***, but I knew it could happen.

Edwards, pictured here (L-R) with his sister, mother and grandmother – credits his mother as the most important influence on his life

'It drove me crazy. It pushed me more into gang life and crime, towards the negative. My teenage years were my darkest years.'

The attack from Covington sparked a furious reaction at Thursday's pre-fight press conference, with 'Rocky' launching a water bottle at his opponent from across the stage.

On the Friday before the ceremonial weigh-in, he was still seething and issued a chilling warning: “That man is as good as dead tomorrow. Make sure you keep everything you said about my father.

“We can arrange it tomorrow.”

Covington – a pantomime villain who loves Donald Trump – has pushed the boundaries of decency many times over and his low blow was roundly criticized by many in the MMA world, including UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland and heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

Edwards is the current welterweight champion and is a narrow betting favorite

But his venomous and personal attacks show no signs of stopping just hours before the main event in Las Vegas.

He has created a toxic atmosphere and even turned some of his own fans against him, because what he will undoubtedly justify is higher pay-per-view numbers.

Edwards will get a chance to channel his anger at the highly anticipated final major UFC event of the year at T-Mobile Arena.