In the high-octane world of the UFC, few fighters stir the pot like Colby Covington.
As he gears up for his December 16th showdown with Leon Edwards at UFC 296, Colby Covington embraces his role as the sport’s provocateur-in-chief.
His journey from a bullied kid in Springfield, Oregon, to a main-event star on Vegas’s brightest stage is a tale of grit, resilience, and an unapologetic embrace of the villain persona.
“Just hard to imagine, hard to believe this is my reality,” Covington reflected in a recent ESPN MMA interview. He recalls his humble beginnings: “From where I came from, a small little town in Springfield, Oregon, to be here on the biggest and brightest stage.”
Covington’s childhood was marked by challenges, shaping his fierce demeanor. “I was a smaller little kid… I got picked on a lot, I got bullied,” he shared. But adversity only fueled his determination. “I would get this anger inside… I would go to the wrestling room and I would drill my takedowns.”
Covington’s path wasn’t smooth. He wasn’t a born champion but a relentless worker. “I had a lot of resilience… I wasn’t like a state champion… I had to face the setbacks and the failure.” This tenacity translated into his fighting style, a blend of skill and intimidation. “I wrestled mean, I was very physical, I got in people’s face,” he says, explaining his approach to wrestling and, by extension, MMA.
Colby Covington embraces the “villain” role
In the UFC, Covington’s style and outspoken nature have made him a polarizing figure. “Definitely people wanted to see me lose because I had that brash style,” he admits.
But far from shying away, Covington relishes this role. “Everybody’s hated me, I’ve always been the villain, the bad guy,” he states with a hint of pride. “It’s okay, I like playing that role, it’s a lot funner that way.”
His matchup with Leon Edwards, the reigning UFC welterweight champion, is steeped in intrigue. Edwards, with an impressive record of 21 wins and 3 losses, hasn’t tasted defeat in his last 12 fights. The British fighter’s skill and determination make him a formidable opponent.
But Covington, with a record of 17 wins and 3 losses, is unfazed. Known for his exceptional wrestling background, he poses a significant threat to Edwards’ reign.
As fight night approaches, Covington’s confidence is palpable. “They’re jealous and they’re envious… they wish they could do the things I do,” he claims, dismissing his detractors. His focus is clear: “I’m not really worried about anybody else.”
In a sport where personalities clash as fiercely as fists, Covington’s unyielding persona is a spectacle in itself. UFC 296 isn’t just about the welterweight title; it’s a stage for Covington to showcase his villainous bravado against Edwards’ quiet resilience.
As Covington puts it, “I did things that most kids didn’t want to do… they didn’t want to get sweaty, they didn’t want to get bloody.”
At UFC 296, he’ll have the chance to prove that those early sacrifices were worth it.