UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards dismisses Colby Covington‘s trash talk ahead of their UFC 296 fight, comparing Covington to a typical American jock and stating that his words will not affect the fight’s outcome.
Leon Edwards is no stranger to Colby Covington’s antics. As they gear up for their main event fight at UFC 296, Edwards is bracing himself for Covington’s notorious trash talk. Covington, known for his verbal jabs, is expected to ramp up his rhetoric as the fight draws near. But Edwards, the reigning UFC welterweight champion, is unfazed. He’s confident that no amount of trash talk will affect the fight’s outcome.
“I just ignore it,” Edwards said in an interview with MMA Fighting. He likened Covington’s banter to a typical American jock, comparing him to Stifler from the movie American Pie. “He just talks s***. It’s whatever,” Edwards added. He emphasized that he and Covington are different people with different values. This difference, he said, fuels his motivation to train harder and land a punch on Covington’s face.
Edwards expects Covington to rehearse lines, much like Seann William Scott’s character in the American Pie films. He believes he can predict everything Covington will say, which will help him deflect any vitriol thrown his way. Edwards described Covington as a character, a clown, whose antics are more amusing than threatening.
Despite Covington’s lack of originality, his words draw attention. This has kept him in the spotlight, even though he hasn’t competed for nearly two years. Covington’s last fight was in March 2022, where he defeated Jorge Masvidal. This win brought his record to 2-2 in his last four fights, including two losses to Kamaru Usman in his attempts to become the undisputed UFC welterweight champion.
Edwards doesn’t understand why Covington is getting a shot at his title based on his résumé. But he’s not the matchmaker, so he signed the contract put in front of him. He believes the world knows that Covington doesn’t deserve the title shot. He criticized Covington for turning down fights and sitting out for two years before getting a title shot.
Whether Covington earned his title shot is irrelevant now. Edwards acknowledges him as a threat, even though he’s not impressed by the former interim welterweight champion. He pointed out that Covington’s wins came against opponents who were past their prime. Edwards doesn’t think Covington is talented, but rather a hard worker with more cardio than skills.
Edwards warned Covington that he’s in for a shock. He dismissed Covington’s win over Masvidal, stating that Masvidal was about to retire. Edwards emphasized, “I am no Masvidal.” He’s confident that if Covington is basing his strategy on his fight with Masvidal, he’s in for a rude awakening.
As for the fight’s outcome, Edwards doesn’t care how he wins, as long as he retains his welterweight title. However, he admitted that knocking out Covington would be sweet. He believes a knockout could potentially end Covington’s career. Edwards said, “I want to put that nail in his coffin.” He criticized Covington for sitting out for two years, blaming others for his failures, and avoiding fights with younger opponents.
Edwards can’t see Covington maintaining his grind against younger, fitter, and hungrier fighters. He said, “He’s used to beating guys like Robbie Lawler, he’s used to beating guys like Jorge Masvidal, guys that are over the hill a little bit. Now going out there and beating those young, fit, hungry guys? I just can’t see him doing it.”