UFC CEO Dana White had a lot to deal with at UFC 296, where he saw fighters attack opponents verbally and physically. For instance, Colby Covington’s remark about Leon Edwards’ deceased father did not win Colby any fans but, on the other hand, lost him a ton of support.
Covington’s remarks even made Sean Strickland bash the welterweight contender during the 2024 Seasonal Press Conference. Moreover, Strickland himself engaged in an altercation with Dricus Du Plessis, his next octagon opponent for UFC 297.
David Lovell questions Dana White’s response to Colby Covington’s provocative comments
Even though Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis had a physical altercation whilst UFC 296 PPV was live, it was the verbal attack of Covington on Edwards that bothered White more. David Lovell, the head coach of Leon, also had a verbal altercation with Covington during Edwards’ octagon interview with Joe Rogan.
Lovell recently had an interview with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour where he discussed what transpired. “I even said to Dana after when he came over, I said, “Dana, where do you draw the line?”” said Lovell of his interaction with Dana White inside the octagon after he got into an altercation with Covington.
“Dana turned around and said, “Well, listen, you know what kind of scum you’re dealing with,”” Lovell further said what White said to him about Covington being a ‘scum’. Nevertheless, Lovell is hellbent on creating a line that one never crosses in trash talks.
Lovell’s immediate concern is Edwards’ upcoming fight, possibly at UFC 300. Like Edwards, Lovell is dismissive of Belal Muhammad as the next title challenger. Muhammad responded about the statements on X alluding that both Edwards and his coach are ducking him.
White unleashes displeasure over Covington’s UFC 296 display
Colby Covington’s remarks about Leon Edwards’ murdered father did not go well with the MMA community. In the post-fight press conference at UFC 296, White also expressed displeasure at Covington’s character but refused to censor his fighters, irrespective of his feelings about it.
Dana White was even more disappointed about the performance of Covington inside the octagon. “When you’re 35 years old or any age in sports, waiting is never a good idea. This sport doesn’t wait for anybody, and I think he looked slow tonight,” said White regarding what he saw in the main event.
“He got outwrestled, and Leon looked good, fast, and had trouble dealing with his speed. Additionally, Leon absolutely destroyed that leg,” White praised Edwards for executing the game plan to full effect in the anticipated title clash.
“One of the things that I really don’t like is when people go after family, whether it’s the kids, the wife, the parents, or whatever. It’s just such a nasty thing to do,” White further expressed his displeasure in Covington.
What do you think of Dana White’s statement on Colby Covington? Leave your prediction below!
