New UFC champion rips NFL and NBA over WH visit - 'I’m going to do what a real American should do'
Step aside, Conor McGregor. UFC may have a new king of trash-talking.
Unlike McGregor, however, new interim welterweight champion Colby “Chaos” Covington isn’t reserving his verbal venom for just his opponents.
Rather, Covington is lashing out at entire sports teams.
Covington beat rival Rafael dos Anjos to capture the interim title at UFC 225. While nobody would’ve been surprised with Covington verbally assaulting Anjos or injured welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, his comments about President Donald Trump’s White House certainly caught some people off guard.
“I’m going to do what a real American should do. I’m bringing this belt to the White House and I’m putting it on Donald Trump’s desk,” Covington told Joe Rogan in the immediate post-fight interview.
Covington was already somewhat of a villain, with audible boos raining down from the Chicago crowd as the fight’s results were being announced.
Those boos only magnified after Covington made his comments about the White House.
Covington was presumably referring to the recent spate of professional sports teams, namely in the NFL and NBA, who have made a fuss over visiting the White House after winning a championship.
Trump most recently got into a squabble with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, with some reports suggesting that fewer than 10 team representatives would’ve even bothered to visit. Trump abruptly canceled the Eagles’ visit and held a “Celebration of America” instead.
Trump has also notably feuded with the NBA champion Golden State Warriors, who have made no secret of their disdain for the current administration. When Trump rescinded the Warriors’ invite last year, NBA star LeBron James tore into the president. Trump has reportedly already disinvited the Warriors this year.
U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
For his part, Covington seems to be relishing his villainous role. He allegedly cupped his hand to his ear to egg on the boos following his post-fight interview.
A lot of the ire directed at Covington seem to stem more from his feuds than his political leanings, however.
Covington infamously tore into dos Anjos’ native Brazil, while frequently referring to him and native Brazilians as “filthy animals.” He also feuded with beloved UFC legend Michael Bisping.
Covington and Woodley will presumably fight to unify the welterweight championship as soon as the latter returns from injury. Covington also trashed Woodley in the post-fight interview, accusing him of being a coward and making dos Anjos take a beating for him.
As of this writing, neither Trump nor the White House have responded to Covington’s comments.
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