UFC welterweight Colby Covington has stirred controversy by suggesting that his recent unanimous decision defeat to Leon Edwards at UFC 296 may have been influenced by the judges’ political biases. The fight, witnessed by former President Donald Trump from the audience, ended in favor of Edwards, but Covington has raised questions over the fairness of the outcome.
In statements made during a post-fight media briefing and later on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” Covington expressed his belief that the judges were prejudiced against him due to his outspoken support for Trump. “They never favor me,” he claimed, attributing this to his political affiliations.
The fighter’s remarks have sparked a backlash, with critics arguing that his loss should not be ascribed to the judges’ alleged political leanings. Despite this criticism, Covington pointed to the fight statistics, noting his higher total strike count and equal head strikes, as well as significant control time during the bout, as evidence that he performed better than the judges’ decision reflected.
Covington disclosed an injury he sustained early in the match, claiming a broken foot within the first half-minute due to a kick deflected by Edwards’ elbow. Undeterred by his defeat and the injury, Covington is adamant about his right to a rematch, drawing a parallel between his resilience and the spirit of the American people.
As of the latest reports, Covington holds a professional record of 17 victories and 4 losses. His presence at UFC events has been notable this year, with the former president also attending, marking Trump’s fourth UFC pay-per-view event appearance, including engagements in Miami and Las Vegas.