Leon Edwards on how he turned Colby Covington's trash talk into 'positive' in UFC 296 title bout
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Updated 18/12/2023 at 12:12 GMT
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards' hardest part of beating Colby Covington was not in the ring - it was the build-up. His American opponent was hugely provocative as he goaded the Briton over his murdered father and speaking after his win, Edwards explained how his religion and his family helped him turn the shock comments around into positive motivation.
'Fuming, tears' - Edwards explains reaction to Covington comments before title fight
Leon Edwards celebrated his win over Colby Covington on TNT Sports' UFC 296 Review Show, describing how he “shut him down” after a week of provocation and was able to “use it as a positive”.
Edwards headlined the last major UFC card of the year in Las Vegas on Saturday night against Covington in a welterweight title defence.
The Briton won via unanimous decision after landing some heavy blows to the challenger’s right leg, as well as a spectacular kick to the head - though he was also able to hold his own when the pair grappled.
In the run-up to the fight, Covington revealed how he had taken advice from former president Donald Trump, and tried to wind up Edwards by telling him his murdered father was “in hell”.
In the moment, it worked as it sparked a confrontation at the press conference and it was a sore topic in the remaining days as observers wondered if Edwards would keep his cool going into the fight.
Edwards enjoyed a routine victory in the end, and speaking to TNT Sports, he explained his approach.
“He came out, talked all his c*** in fight week, brought up my dad," he said. "In my mind, in my heart, I wanted to have a war with him. I spoke to my mum, I spoke to my team: 'Words are words, shut it off, just keep your focus and fight your fight'.
“Even yesterday I was still fuming, tears and fuming. But I spoke to my mum... it was like this is what he wants, a war, so he can have success. But I was able to shut him down through distance, the counterpunching, it worked great."
Discussing his willingness to embrace his ground game, he added: “I let him know I was here to fight my fight, it was not a wrestler-striker fight. I let him know I can go on the ground - I can play your game too.”
The reigning champion discussed how his formative years might have seen him lose his way, but believed that the way he had kept his focus allowed him to use Covington’s attitude to his benefit.
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'Keep reigning' - Edwards breaks down how he handled emotions to beat Covington
“I’ve been through a lot of hard scenarios in my life and I was able to shut it down,” he continued. “There’s a lot of kids who grow up where I grew up who go off the rails, and blame the world for everything. I was that kid but I manage my emotions now and put it in a positive light. He said what he said, he hurt me, but I tried to use it as a positive.
“It took a lot, I was fuming. I tried to shut it down. I know what he said is horrible. I was able to do it. I’m a big believer in God, I prayed, I was like 'f*** this guy' basically, and focus on myself.”
In retrospect, the win was one of the most straightforward of his career so far, and he thought his tactics were another positive.
He said: “A crazy, crazy week to go out there and get it done. Easier than I thought it would be, it was a great night.
“Leading up to the fight, everyone was on about cardio, cardio, cardio, about his pace. So we had a great game plan, keeping our distance, just confused him. For the first two rounds he commanded nothing. It was weird to see, I think all the pressure got to him. All the s*** he talked, [Donald] Trump ringside, watching him.”
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