UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards laughs at Colby Covington’s ‘fascination’ with former US President Donald Trump: ‘He needs to grow up and get a girlfriend or something’

UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards made fun of challenger Colby Covington's “fascination” with former US President Donald Trump during the UFC 296 media day press conference on Wednesday.

Edwards was asked about Covington's idolization of Trump when the latter appeared to the press wearing a suit with Trump's mugshot printed on the back.

“He needs to grow up and get a girlfriend or something,” Edwards said.

Edwards couldn't contain his laughter when a reporter asked him to comment on Covington's claim that Trump will wrap the belt around his waist after beating Edwards at UFC 296 on Saturday.

“I think the whole scenario is strange,” Edwards said, chuckling. 'I don't understand the fascination with another man. I know he was the president and all, but he's no longer the president. '

Covington declared himself “America's Champion,” despite never having won an undisputed title

Edwards accused his rival of choosing Trump as a supporting character for his gimmick and said Covington will not be victorious over him on Saturday.

“Trump doesn't wrap anything around his waist because he doesn't get a belt,” Edwards said. “Trump has been to his fights before when he has lost, so Trump can't fight for him.”

Despite never winning an undisputed title in the UFC, Covington has long proclaimed himself “America's Champion” with his outspoken support for Trump.

Covington became the first UFC fighter to be invited to the White House after winning the interim championship in 2018 and met with Trump earlier this month to have the former president sign his suit.

“I'm going to take back that title and you're going to take back the White House,” Covington told Trump. “We're going to make America great again.”

Edwards will defend the UFC welterweight title against Covington at UFC 296 on Saturday

Covington gets his third shot at the title despite being inactive for almost two years

After nearly two years of inactivity, Covington gets a title shot against Edwards after the Englishman took and defended the crown against Kamaru Usman.

Covington has a record of 17-3 and had previously challenged Usman for the title during the former champion's reign. However, Covington failed both attempts to win the undisputed title.

Covington's last fight was a highly anticipated grudge match against Jorge Masvidal, which he won by unanimous decision in March 2022.

On the other hand, the highly favored Edwards is 21-3 in his career and hasn't lost in his last 12 fights. Edwards last fought in March when he defended the title and concluded his trilogy with Usman with a decisive victory.