UNITED STATES: While fireworks were undoubtedly expected at the UFC 272 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, the sheer craziness of what transpired is probably best described by Colby Covington’s fighting moniker: “Chaos.”
As Covington (16–3 MMA, 11–3 UFC) and bitter rival Jorge Masvidal (35–15 MMA, 12–8 UFC) took the stage, the usual UFC security detail was present, but so were four officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Expletives were being hurled back and forth before the first media question could be posed to the two welterweight headliners. Masvidal also appeared on stage with a gold briefcase, which he opened to reveal Covington’s limited edition Panini trading card. “Gamebred” then announced that the Covington card would be auctioned off to the highest bidder “because I’m always going to make money off this b——.”
Covington, who has long boasted of his friendship with Donald Trump, responded with an odd question of Masvidal’s political knowledge, asking him to explain how a bill becomes a law.
For the next 20 minutes, the two talked over each other, mainly ignoring any questions and instead of hurling a never-ending barrage of insults, before finally facing off onstage—albeit at a distance designed to ensure no contact was made.
In the end, the fight may have been a little underwhelming; after all, nothing quite raises the level of excitement for a prizefight like an intense nose-to-nose staredown. However, the bad blood between these two has reached a point where it is in everyone’s best interest not to take any chances.
Before the fight, Masvidal told Sports Illustrated that he wouldn’t settle for anything less than a knockout victory on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena, a result he hopes will knock Covington out of any featured UFC headliners and return him to competing on the regional stage.
“The only way to deal with a b—— like that is to end his a——,” Masvidal explained. “I’m returning him to the casinos.” I’m returning him to the gaming halls. “I’ve got to kick his a—.”
Meanwhile, Covington, a heavy favorite, is confident that his superior wrestling and impressive pace will make for a relatively easy night against his former roommate.
“You’re such a jerk,” Covington said to Masvidal. “It’ll be easy work on Saturday night.” This isn’t even going to be a walk in the park, dude.”
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