Donald Trump gives Colby Covington some final words of inspiration before huge Leon Edwards fight… before beaten American namechecks his hero in the Octagon, promising that he will ‘make American great again!’
Whatever Donald Trump told Colby Covington just before his UFC 296 main event clash with Leon Edwards didn't seem to have the desired effect.
The former president was sitting front row next to the Octagon in Las Vegas and Covington, a big Trump supporter, was sure to bump into his hero and take some final words of advice.
What followed was a sub-par showing where he lost to Edwards by decision.
Covington made no secret of his support for Trump in the build-up, and the 35-year-old, returning to the Octagon for the first time in two years, was keen to see the former POTUS heavily involved.
As reality continued to bite inside TMobile Arena, Covington envisioned Trump placing the championship belt around him prior to the fight.
Donald Trump (right) gave some final words of wisdom to Colby Covington at UFC 296
They shared a fist bump and Covington was excited to put on an exhibition for his 'hero'
The Trump-supporting fighter made sure to see his idol before his fight with Leon Edwards
UFC president Dana White typically places the championship belt on the winning fighter, but Covington had a request prior to the fight.
“I respectfully asked Dana if he could step aside and let Donald Trump put it on,” Covington told the Full Send podcast.
“That would mean the world to me, man. I'm his biggest fan, he's my biggest role model. What better way for him to put the leash around me?
“Who better to belt me than the most famous person on planet Earth, Donald Trump?”
Trump made sure he had a good view of the action and arrived at the side of the octagon with White.
There were laughs as others gave the former POTUS a standing ovation during what will be his fourth time attending a UFC event this year. His presence also prompted chants of “f**k Joe Biden,” which he undoubtedly enjoyed.
Trump has previously attended events including UFC 287 in Miami and UFC 290, which were also held in Las Vegas.
Trump had to watch as Covington barely made a scratch on an impressive Edwards
Trump received a warm welcome from the crowd in Vegas, with some chants of “f**k Joe Biden”
But ultimately, Trump had to watch one of his biggest supporters fall short under the bright lights.
Covington barely registered a scratch on a veteran Edwards in a match that fell short of expectations in Vegas.
Not that that will bother Edwards much after successfully defending his UFC welterweight title via unanimous decision.
Edwards executed a leg kick-heavy game plan while nullifying most of Covington's takedown attempts to score 49-46 on all three scorecards.