Joaquin Buckley’s recent tweet calling out Leon Edwards for his post-fight comments regarding Colby Covington has stirred up some controversy within the MMA community. Buckley expressed doubt about Edwards’ intentions, suggesting that he wouldn’t have taken any action backstage despite his claims of still being enraged after their bout. Instead, Buckley implied that he would have been more than willing to settle the score with Covington if given the chance.
In his tweet, Buckley didn’t mince words, implying that Edwards’ reaction was merely talk and that he wouldn’t have followed through with any violent intentions. He contrasted this with his own willingness to leave Covington’s jaw in the cage had he been in Edwards’ position.
The origin of the feud between Edwards and Covington traces back to the pre-fight press conference for UFC 296, where tensions reached a boiling point. Covington, known for his provocative trash talk, crossed a line by bringing up Edwards’ deceased father, a deeply personal and sensitive topic for the welterweight champion. Covington’s derogatory remarks about Edwards’ father were clearly intended to provoke a reaction, and it seems they succeeded in getting under Edwards’ skin.
Covington’s comments were not only disrespectful but also deeply hurtful to Edwards, who had to maintain his composure amid the emotional turmoil stirred up by his opponent’s words. The incident underscores the contentious nature of pre-fight buildup in MMA and the sometimes volatile emotions it can evoke in fighters.
While Edwards managed to keep his emotions in check during their bout and secure a unanimous decision victory, the aftermath of the fight saw him still seething with anger, according to his recent comments on The MMA Hour. However, Buckley’s tweet suggests skepticism about the authenticity of Edwards’ post-fight sentiments, implying that he wouldn’t have followed through on any confrontations backstage.
Overall, Buckley’s tweet adds another layer of intrigue to the ongoing saga between Edwards and Covington, highlighting the emotional toll that pre-fight provocations can have on fighters and the differing responses they elicit from their peers in the MMA community.
