- Colby Covington challenges Leon Edwards for the welterweight title on Saturday
- He was in colorful and controversial form at the pre-fight press conference
- Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett MUST seize his moment in the UFC 296 spotlight after seeing his career falter – The hook
Colby Covington has revealed that Donald Trump will put the belt on him if he dethrones Leon Edwards at UFC 296.
“Chaos” has inextricably linked his personal brand to that of the former president and even planned to be walked out by him on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.
Dana White had to block the proposed move. Covington, wearing a white suit with Trump's face on the back and signed by the ex-president, said: 'Dana wouldn't let me walk out with Trump, logistically it's too hard.
'He said there would be a hundred secret services with him and there would just be too much chaos. He comes and sits by the cage and I give him a hug before I go into the Octagon.”
Covington, who believes he was unfairly denied the title by losing twice to Kamaru Usman, compared his career to Trump's after the 77-year-old insisted he was robbed in the last election.
Colby Covington showed off his Donald Trump-inspired suit at the UFC Apex facility
Colby Covington targeted Leon Edwards ahead of their UFC 296 showdown
Covington last played against Jorge Masvidal in March last year
He continued, “It's the same path as Trump. We have been robbed of titles. We can be delayed, but not denied. The best in the world will be determined on Saturday. Donald Trump will put the belt around me if I win.
“I will make the welterweight division great again. If Trump is not re-elected, this country will be over.”
Covington was completely dismissive of Edwards' credentials and continued to push the bizarre narrative that the champion hasn't been active enough, despite 'Rocky' having fought twice since Covington was last in action.
'On Saturday evening you will see a different version of myself. I will bring out the dog in me and the peace in Leon,” he continued.
“I intend to be everything Leon is not. A champion for the fans. I care about this company, those guys turned a broke kid from Oregon into a millionaire. Edwards snorted and rejected Woodley.
“He just wants to sit on the placeholder belt. Papa Covington is coming. I am Chaos, unpredictable. If you play with the bull, you get the horns.
“Leon is at the bottom of who I have fought. He's had an easy road, who did he beat? What is his resume? He never fights younger guys. I will expose him as a coward and an idiot with a low IQ.
Donald Trump will watch Covington at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night
Leon Edwards reiterates Team Renegade's official statement on why Garry was kicked out
'Physically and mentally I am in my best years. I feel like I'm well-rounded, while guys reject me.
'I never say no. No one has said yes more than me. Leon said there was no way Colby would fight for the title…he's clearly not in charge.”
Edwards was sensational against Usman when he defended his title in London earlier this year, but Covington believes he can expose a mental vulnerability.
He said: “I saw Leon put into him in that first fight with Usman. He's a mumbling idiot. Leon has no redeeming qualities. This fight is personal and Colby gets what he wants.
'He knows deep down what will happen, I am a lifelong fighter and the best is yet to come. I want to cement myself as an all-time great. I have a job to do and anyone who wants a super fight should come down to welterweight. I think I could get to 155 and 185, so maybe the first three-time champion. I'll clear out this division first.
After Covington finished his tirade and walked out of the media room at UFC's Apex headquarters in Las Vegas, he returned a few minutes later and forgot to send a message to NBA legend LeBron James.
He bellowed, “F***k Lebron James, if you hate this country so much, get out! Go to China or something. You're a spineless coward and damn it.'
James has clashed with right-wing politicians in the past, but this was a seemingly unprovoked and strange final salvo from the fighter.
If Covington can perform with as much venom and precision in the octagon on Saturday as he does on the microphone, Edwards could indeed be in trouble, but that remains a big 'if'.