The UFC 296 press conference was something many fans were looking forward to, and it got heated after Colby Covington insulted Leon Edwards’ late father.
Edwards has spoken publicly about his dad being murdered when he was 13 years old. During the press conference, Covington said he would bring Edwards to hell during the fight and would let him say hi to his dad.
“On Saturday night, I’m going to bring you to a place you never want to be,” Covington said at the press conference. “I’m going to bring you to the seventh level of hell. We’ll say what’s up to your dad while we’re there.”
After the comment, Edwards threw a water bottle at Covington and the two had to be separated by media so they didn’t get into a fight.
Things have officially popped off between Edwards and Covington 😳 #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/BUxlvxqS2Y
— UFC (@ufc) December 15, 2023
Leon Edwards was then asked about the comment and told Colby Covington to keep the same energy backstage.
“Not really,” Edwards said when asked if the fight is now personal. “The guy’s a piece of s**t, but just make sure you keep that same energy backstage. Keep that energy backstage.”
Immediately, Colby Covington fired back at Leon Edwards and told the welterweight champion to keep the same energy on Saturday night.
“Make sure you save that f*****g energy in the ring Saturday night,” Covington said.
There’s no question the press conference added to the hype of the main event, as in the faceoff, the UFC security wouldn’t let Leon Edwards and Colby Covington get near one another.
Fighters react to Colby Covington’s comment
Once Colby Covington said the comment about Leon Edwards’ dad, several UFC fighters thought ‘Chaos’ crossed the line and are now rooting for the Brit.
I hope Leon delivers one of the most brutal knocks will have ever seen on Saturday!!!! That comment about Leons father was so low and pathetic bro somebody like that should never have a belt!!!
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) December 15, 2023
“I hope Leon delivers one of the most brutal knocks will have ever seen on Saturday!!!! That comment about Leons father was so low and pathetic bro somebody like that should never have a belt!!!”
That’s why I been saying masvidal Was right in giving this bozo brain damage and a chipped tooth
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 15, 2023
“That’s why I been saying masvidal Was right in giving this bozo brain damage and a chipped tooth.”
What a piece of shit
Thats why you gotta bottle the fucker in the back of his head he don’t deserve a fair fight https://t.co/Bkwec6OgcV— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) December 15, 2023
“What a piece of shit Thats why you gotta bottle the fucker in the back of his head he don’t deserve a fair fight.”
Colby is POS for talking smack about Leon’s father
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) December 15, 2023
“Colby is POS for talking smack about Leon’s father.”
I think Colby Covington took it too far at the press conference today 😡
— Rampage Jackson (@Rampage4real) December 15, 2023
“I think Colby Covington took it too far at the press conference today.”
After all the talk, Leon Edwards and Colby Covington will get to settle their beef on Saturday night at UFC 296.
