Leon Edwards recently revealed his inner turmoil following his UFC 296 victory over Colby Covington. Despite his dominant performance in the octagon, Edwards confessed to feeling the urge to confront Covington backstage at the T-Mobile Arena.
Covington, known for his inflammatory trash talk, faced widespread criticism for crossing the line during the lead-up to his title matchup against Edwards. Many condemned his disparaging remarks about Edwards’ late father, which ignited a firestorm of controversy ahead of their highly anticipated fight.
In a recent interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Edwards shared his post-fight emotions, admitting to actively seeking out Covington backstage after the press conference. However, to his dismay, Covington was nowhere to be found, leading Edwards to suspect that security may have discreetly escorted him away.
Expressing his frustration, Edwards confessed that he had intended to physically confront Covington, reflecting his belief that Covington’s behavior warranted a response. He lamented Covington’s absence, emphasizing his disappointment in the fighter’s perceived lack of accountability for his words and actions.
In his candid remarks, Edwards characterized Covington as lacking in true masculinity, referring to him as a “weasel” for his failure to uphold the standards of a true man, both inside and outside the cage. This sentiment underscores the deeply personal nature of the feud between the two fighters, highlighting the emotional toll of Covington’s provocative rhetoric.
Despite his desire for confrontation, Edwards ultimately demonstrated restraint and composure, choosing not to escalate the situation further in Covington’s absence. However, his candid revelation sheds light on the emotional turmoil experienced by fighters in the aftermath of intense confrontations, both in and out of the octagon.
As the dust settles on their clash, the tension between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of professional combat sports, where words can cut as deeply as any physical blow.
