UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington produced the best performance of his MMA career to utterly dominate former world champ Robbie Lawler in the main event of UFC on ESPN 5 in Newark, New Jersey. But despite his brilliant display, nobody’s really talking about it.
That’s because Covington, who has adopted a Trump-supporting, MAGA hat-wearing persona, appears to have hit the jackpot by hooking the Trumps themselves.
Covington already visited the Oval Office to meet Donald Trump earlier in the year. But when he stepped into the octagon ahead of his 50-44, 50-45, 50-45 win over Lawler, he was watched from cageside by the president’s two sons, Don Jr. and Eric.
And after his win, Eric even hooked him up with his old man, who passed on his congratulations direct from the White House (actually, more likely the golf club).
Whether Covington’s apparent love for all things Trump is genuine or simply an attempt to build a pro-wrestling-style “heel persona”, it’s certainly getting him some serious traction.
Now, after his dominant victory in New Jersey, he’s set to fight for the UFC welterweight title against newly-crowned champion Kamaru Usman later this year.
And if Covington, who still carries around the UFC interim title that was stripped from him last year, can engineer things the way he hopes, the president himself will be in attendance to watch him in action, hopefully at Madison Square Garden in November.
“New York is convenient for the Trumps, as you’ve seen tonight the first family was in attendance. I can’t thank them enough – Donald Trump Jr. Eric Trump,” he said backstage after the fight.
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 09: Colby Covington (R) attempts to take down Rafael Dos Anjos of Brazil in the third round in their welterweight title fight during the UFC 225: Whittaker v Romero 2 event at the United Center on June 9, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Covington won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
“President Trump is making the country great again and I’m making the UFC welterweight division great again.
“So let’s unify these belts in November at Madison Square Garden so it’s right down the street from the Trump family. I guarantee our president will come and watch us, front row.”
And to ensure people were fully invested in an Usman vs Covington title fight later in the year, Covington went onto ESPN’s post-fight show and proceeded to get into a slanging match on live TV with the champion, who was working as an analyst at the time.
The battle lines have been drawn and the fight seems like a no-brainer. But will Covington still be smiling after he and Usman face off for the belt later this year?
Watch this space.
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