Colby Covington has alleged that Leon Edwards’ late father was a sex trafficker and drug lord who murdered people, doubling down on his vile press conference remark ahead of UFC 296.
Footage had emerged of Covington appearing to backtrack at the final face-off, with some claiming he said he was ‘in character’ when telling Edwards he’d see his father – who was murdered when the Brit was 13 – ‘in hell’, but now he has gone a step further.
In an interview with Ag.Fight, Covington went on an extraordinary attack, saying: ‘What about all the victims of the harm that Leon’s father did to them. He was a sex trafficker, he was a drug lord, he killed people, the guy’s a scumbag, why would I feel bad for that, I have no sympathy for that guy.
‘What about all the victims’ families who have to live on right now, live through all the things that he did to them, how he tormented those people.
‘So, no I don’t feel bad for him, the truth hurts and that’s why people hate me, I’m not afraid to say the truth and the truth is what always stings the worst.
Colby Covington (right) has doubled down and made extraordinary claims about Leon Edwards’ late father
Edwards (left) was still seething at the vicious jibe on Friday during the face-off
Colby Covington made further comments about Leon Edwards’ late father in an interview with @AgFight #UFC296 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/GsFYOaAA2I
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) December 16, 2023
‘It is what it is, tomorrow night he can do whatever he wants about it, we’re going to have 25 minutes.
‘If he wants to do something, punch me in the face, knock me out, come try b****.’
Edwards’ father was shot and killed in a London nightclub when the MMA star was a young teen. He has previously said his father was involved in organised crime, telling the Guardian: ‘My dad was a gang leader in my area and so I was one of the few kids who had a bicycle and a skateboard.
‘If you consider the cards he was dealt, my dad did the best he could. I know he did wrong, getting involved in crime, and it led to his demise.
‘But he had the smarts to immigrate to the UK and he soon brought his wife and kids to join him for a better life.
‘He didn’t just leave us so he was a good man but, in bad circumstances, he made the wrong choices. But you got to remember that, in Jamaica, killing seemed normal. We were used to gunshots and death all around us.’
Edwards has never spoken about the specifics of the criminal activity his father was involved in. He was raised by his mother and has previously recalled being told the tragic news about his father when he was a young teen.
He said: ‘It was probably like 2am. I was in my room. Mum was in her room. We hear the phone ringing. I heard her crying, and I knew from then something bad, you know.
‘Eventually, she came into my room and just told me this, your dad’s just got killed in London. It was something to do with money. I don’t know what exactly. It was some mad s***, but I knew that it could happen.
Edwards, pictured here (L-R) with his sister, mother and grandmother – credits his mum as the most important influence on his life
‘It f****d me up. It pushed me more into gang life and crime, toward the negative. My mid-teens were my darkest years.’
The attack from Covington sparked a furious reaction at the pre-fight press conference on Thursday, with ‘Rocky’ launching a water bottle at his opponent across the stage.
On Friday for the ceremonial weigh-ins, he was still seething and issued a chilling warning, saying: ‘That man is as good as dead tomorrow. Make sure you keep everything you said about my dad.
‘Tomorrow, we can settle it.’
Covington – a Donald Trump-loving pantomime villain – has pushed the boundaries of decency many times and his low blow was roundly criticised by many in the MMA world, including UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland and heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Edwards is the current welterweight champion and is a narrow betting favourite
But his venomous and personal attacks show no signs of ending just hours ahead of the main event in Las Vegas.
He has created a poisonous atmosphere and even turned some of his own fans against him, for what he will no doubt justify is greater pay-per-view numbers.
Edwards will have the chance to channel his rage in the highly-anticipated final major UFC event of the year in T-Mobile Arena.
News
OH SO… SHOCKING: Blind Item reveals Travis Kelce was chosen not because of his ability but because of Taylor Swift’s INFLUENCE
Blind Item Reveals Travis Kelce Allegedly Only Chosen To Host Show Because Of Taylor Swift Travis Kelce is taking a break from the football field to host…
NEW VIDEO: Caitlin Clark Awkwardly Played On Her Phone After She Was Left Out Of Angel Reese’s WNBA Draft TikTok
VIDEO: Caitlin Clark Awkwardly Played On Her Phone After She Was Left Out Of Angel Reese’s WNBA Draft TikTok Angel Reese and Cameron Brink (Photo via @angelreese10…
How wonderful!!! Caitlin Clark becomes women’s all-time leading scorer: Big Ten foe explains why she’s a ‘generational talent’
With the Iowa star making history Thursday night, her Big Ten competition explained to CBS Sports what makes her so special Getty Images Not a single college…
Great: Travis Kelce impresses Taylor Swift with lyrics for 2 songs in the new Album
In an unexpected turn of events, NFL star Travis Kelce has left fans and music enthusiasts buzzing with excitement after it was revealed that he played a…
Wow: SHOWBIZ BILLIONAIRE!!! Taylor Swift bought a private jet for her Eras Tour and also to conveniently date
In order to assist her in her life, Taylor Swift has a fleet of private aircraft. The Falcon 900 has a luxury interior that can accommodate up…
Oh, Oh: Caitlin Clark has had enough of the former NFL star’s rude comments, blocking him on Twitter
Caitlin Clark Has Had Enough Of Former NFL Star’s Rude Comments, Blocks Him On Twitter Caitlin Clark (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Caitlin Clark is sick of Antonio Brown….
End of content
No more pages to load