Colby Covington claims his Donald Trump request was denied ahead of UFC 296
Colby Covington will face welterweight champion Leon Edwards for the belt on Saturday at UFC 296 with Donald Trump set to be in attendance
Colby Covington has confirmed that former president Donald Trump will present him with the belt if he beats Leon Edwards at UFC 296, but won't accompany him to the ring. Covington had hoped to be escorted by Trump at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, but UFC boss Dana White vetoed the idea. Dressed in a white suit featuring Trump's face and signed by the ex-president, Covington said: "Dana didn't let me walk out with Trump, logistically it is too tough."
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A somewhat controversial figure, Covington likened his career to Trump's after the 77-year-old claimed he was cheated out of the last election, when Joe Biden became President in 2021 in the highest-election turnout since 1900 - gaining a 51.3 percent victory.
He said: "It is the same path as Trump. We've been cheated out of titles. We can be delayed but not denied. Saturday will determine the best in the world. Donald Trump will wrap the belt around me if I win."
The fighter also made a bold statement about the future of the country, saying: "I'll make the welterweight division great again. If Trump doesn't get re-elected, this country is done."
Trump himself confirmed that he will be in attendance in a video with Covington last week, with the President appearing at a number of events alongside his close friend in UFC president Dana White.
Covington had a number of words for his opponent, British champion Edwards.
He said: "I plan on being everything Leon isn't. A champion for the fans. I care about this company, those guys have made a broke kid from Oregon a millionaire. Edwards had the sniffles and turned down Woodley.
"He just wants to sit on the placeholder belt. Daddy Covington is coming. I'm Chaos, unpredictable. If you play with the bull, you'll get the horns.
"Leon is at the bottom end of who I've fought. He's had an easy path, who has he beaten? What is his resume? He never fights younger guys. I'll expose him as a coward and low IQ idiot.
"I'm in my prime physically and mentally. I feel I'm well-rounded while guys are turning me down."
Edwards won the title last year when he sensationally defeated Kamaru Usman with a head-kick KO in the final round, before defending his title in London earlier this year against the same opponent.
Despite witnessing that in person, Covington believes he can expose Edwards when they meet on Saturday.
He said: "I saw Leon has quit in him in that first fight with Usman. He is 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'm a lifetime fighter and the best is yet to come. I want to solidify myself as an all-time great. I have work to do and anyone who wants a super fight needs to come to welterweight. I think I could make 155 and 185 so maybe the first triple champ. I'll clear out this division first."
