Morning Report: Colby Covington slams 'waste of f****** chromosomes' Leon Edwards, expects cheating at UFC 296

08/12/2023 14:00

Colby Covington has nothing nice to say about the reigning UFC welterweight champion.

UFC 296 closes out the UFC's 2023 calendar and takes place in Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena with one of the promotion's most prestigious titles on the line in the main event. The U.K.'s Leon "Rocky" Edwards returns to action for the first time since successfully picking up title defense No. 1 against Kamaru Usman by majority decision at UFC 286 this past March. Standing in his way is none other than America's "Chaos" Covington.

It's par for the course to get some vitriol and venom spewed at you if you're matched with Covington. Edwards has been critiqued plenty by his upcoming dance partner in the months that have followed UFC 286 when Covington was the backup fighter for Edwards vs. Usman 3, but with their fight right around the corner, Covington has taken the personal attacks to another level.

"As a person, 'Leon Scott,' a.k.a. 'Low IQ Leon,' what's his grade level? What's his level of education?" Covington asked when speaking to All Out Fighting. "I swear, that guy's a mumbling, fumbling idiot. He's literally always drooling on himself. As a person, I just think that that guy's a waste of f****** chromosomes and a waste of space.

"Honestly, I'd love to know, can someone tell me — some journalist, this is all I want from this journalist out there, please dive into Leon Scott's IQ. Like, what is his level of education? Did he graduate middle school? Did he even get through elementary school? Because the guy's dumber than a box of rocks."

Covington, 35, has stated on several occasions that the Edwards bout was originally in discussions to happen sooner, specifically for the UFC's return to London after that visit for UFC 296. "Chaos" claims Edwards instead wanted to take a break of sorts after his back-to-back Usman battles, leaving the U.K. to get a Fight Night event rather than another PPV.

Should Covington's third time be the charm in undisputed title fights (0-2 vs. the former champion Usman), the perennial top contender promises to give the English fans the title defense that Edwards wouldn't. First, Covington has prepared himself for illegal maneuvers aplenty, believing the champion is the dirtiest fighter in MMA.

"As a fighter, Leon Scott is the biggest cheater the sport's ever known," Covington said. "I thought 'Marty' [Kamaru] Usman was a cheater. Man, this guy makes 'Marty' look like a fricken saint.

"Leon is a cheater. He's poking people in the eyes, kicking people in the nuts, grabbing the fence. I mean, the guy's the biggest cheater the sport's ever seen and that's the only way I was able to prepare for him. Just prepare for all the cheating he's gonna do."

TOP STORIES

Run-In.Sean Strickland issues ultimatum to Ian Machado Garry after alleged P.I. confrontation

Support.Anthony Smith backs Jon Jones keeping heavyweight title: 'Jon Jones can do whatever the f*** he wants'

Breaks.UFC Austinmedical suspensions: Beneil Dariush, Arman Tsarukyan, Bobby Green face 6-month terms

Shuffle. Jan Blachowiczout of UFC 297; Aleksandar Rakic calls for fight with Jiri Prochazka in his absence

Options.Francis Ngannou open to Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua fights in boxing or mixed rules: 'I'm the one that can go everywhere'

Survival. 'I'd be dead already if not for the sport': The wild story of Brave CF 78's Walysson Aguiar

VIDEO STEW

Between the Links.

Song vs. Gutierrez preview.

Leon Edwards' Streak.

UFC Connected: Zhang and Jedrzejczyk.

Sports Medicine with Matt Serra.

Free fights.

Full fight.

Malaysian Schoolboy.

PFL Europe Championship.

Champ's training.

LISTEN UP

No Bets Barred.MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Conner Burks discuss the best bets for UFC Shang-Vegas (UFC Vegas 83), plus pour one out for the Georgia Bulldogs dynasty.

DAMN! They Were Good. MMA Fighting remembers Mark Hunt, The King of the Walk-Off KO.

Heck of a Morning.MMA Fighting's Mike Heck discusses what the most compelling non-title fight for UFC 296 is.

MORNING MUSIC

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Golf life.

Drama.

Throwback.

Oh my.

Is that a replica?

Youth.

Knowledge.

Ringside.

Staying busy.

Happy birthday!

On point.

Life comes at you fast.

Pain.

Golden girl.

Through the years.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Daniel Marcos (15-0) vs. Aoriqileng (25-11); UFC Vegas 86, Feb. 10

FINAL THOUGHTS

Covington is ramping it up as fight week draws near. The pre-fight press conference is going to be chaos with Edwards, Machado Garry, and Paddy Pimblett up on stage... pun intended.

Happy Friday, folks. Have a great weekend as always, and stay safe out there. Thanks for reading!

EXIT POLL

If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.