Covington's Bold Request: Trump to Present UFC Title
In a move that has sparked widespread conversation in the MMA community, Colby Covington has expressed his desire for former President Donald Trump to present him with the welterweight title should he emerge victorious at UFC 296. Known for his outspoken support of Trump, Covington is gearing up for a high-stakes bout against current champion Leon Edwards in Las Vegas, with the aim of reclaiming the undisputed welterweight championship for what would be an unprecedented third time.
UFC's Response to Covington's Proposal
While it is customary for UFC President Dana White to strap the belt around the waist of the victor, Covington has made a special request for Trump to take on this role instead. As of now, the UFC has remained silent regarding Covington's petition. It's not entirely without precedent for a celebrity to present the belt—Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has had the honor at a previous event—yet the idea of a former president assuming this duty is uncharted territory for the promotion.
The relationship between Covington and Trump is well-documented, with the fighter having previously touted their close friendship. Trump's presence at UFC events isn't unheard of either; he was in attendance at UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. However, Dana White has seemingly poured cold water on the notion of Trump accompanying Covington to the octagon, leaving the possibility of this request being granted uncertain.
Pre-Fight Confidence and Rivalry
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his request, Covington's confidence remains unshaken as he prepares to face Edwards. This upcoming fight marks Covington's third shot at securing the undisputed title, bolstered by a professional MMA record of 17 wins and only three losses. His last appearance in the octagon was against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272—a bout adding to his impressive career tally.
On the other side, Edwards enters the fight with a solid track record of his own, boasting 21 victories, three defeats, and one no-contest. Having captured the welterweight title at UFC 278 and successfully defending it at UFC 286, Edwards is no stranger to the pressures of championship fights.
Covington's Praise for White and Affection for Trump
Covington has openly praised Dana White, acknowledging him as "the greatest promoter in the history of any sport" and "the greatest commissioner." Despite this admiration, Covington insists on having Trump involved in his potential victory celebration, calling him "my favorite person and human alive, 45, Mr. Donald Trump" and expressing his wish for Trump to place the championship belt around his waist.
The fighter's adoration for the former president doesn't stop there. Covington has gone on record stating his intention to return the favor to Trump, whom he calls "the champion of the people," by placing the belt around Trump's waist. He elaborates on their friendship, mentioning recent visits to Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence and regular phone calls seeking advice, even going so far as to credit Trump with providing coaching tips for the upcoming fight.
A-Side Versus B-Side: The Pre-Fight Narrative
Adding fuel to the pre-fight narrative, Covington has dismissed his opponent's standing, referring to Edwards as "a nobody" and proclaiming himself as the "A-side" of the matchup. He contrasts the high-profile support he receives from Trump with Edwards' backing, questioning, "Who does Leon have?"
This rhetoric heightens the anticipation for the fight, as fans eagerly await to see whether Covington can back up his words with action inside the octagon. As UFC 296 approaches, the question remains: Will Covington's performance match his confident declarations, and will his request for Trump's involvement become a reality? The MMA world watches with bated breath as two of the sport's finest welterweights prepare to clash, potentially writing a new chapter in UFC history.