Leon Edwards plans for 'cold, brutal' stoppage of Colby Covington at UFC 296 after shock father taunts
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Updated 16/12/2023 at 09:48 GMT
Colby Covington will challenge Leon Edwards for the welterweight championship on Saturday night at UFC 296, live on TNT Sports Box Office. The American has gone beyond the pale in his provocations of the Briton in the pre-fight war of words, but Edwards told TNT Sports that he will not be drawn into mind games with the Trump-supporting challenger and plans to stop the American in "brutal" fashion.
Leon Edwards of Jamaica poses on the scales
Image credit: Getty Images
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards promised a “cold” and “brutal” response to Colby Covington ahead of Saturday night's title fight at UFC 296 in Las Vegas.
In the pre-fight press conference, brash American Covington taunted Edwards over his murdered father and a confrontation ensued before the two fighters were kept apart.
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the fight at UFC 296, the British champion was now composed and aware of the tactics used by Covington.
"It was obviously a very emotional [with the] thing yesterday. I have to be cold and go out there, get my job done," he said.
"I know that’s what he wants, he wants to come out there and be stupid, but I want to be cold in there. I’m coming for him and I can’t wait for it."
Asked how he would stop the fight, Edwards replied: "Something brutal, I feel like the ref needs to pull me off him. I need to hurt this man. Tomorrow night, we’ll settle it.
"I’m not going to play into this guy’s game but I’m also coming to take him out."
He added: "I think he showed what kind of person he is and tomorrow I’ll get my hands on him."
'No way I’m not winning this belt for him' - Covington welcomes Trump's advice
Covington, meanwhile, was quizzed on the reciprocal support he enjoys with former American president Donald Trump, who is aiming to be re-elected.
Trump will be in attendance on Saturday evening, and Covington said: "I would say it’s an extra level of motivation.
"He brings out the best in me, to see the energy that guy has at his age, frickin’ a rockstar, selling out arenas. He’s on a flight, he’s speaking in New Hampshire today, he’ll be out here tomorrow morning to come support me and watch the fight.
"There’s no way I’m not winning this belt for him. I’m going to take back the undisputed title and he’s going to take back the White House. It’s going to be one of the nights in American history tomorrow night - an American revolution."
Covington also revealed that he was receiving guidance from the one-time president.
He added: "I plan on him coming backstage and getting to talk to him a little bit. He’s been calling me before the fight, telling me he wants to fight Leon and giving me a little game plan, some tips.
"Shout out to Donald Trump, for helping me out with Leon, and tomorrow night’s going to be a battle for the ages."
What time does Edwards v Covington start?
The broadcast of the preliminary card will be available for TNT Sports subscribers to watch on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ from 01:00. The main card will start from 03:00 and will be available exclusively on TNT Sports Box Office.
How to watch Edwards v Covington in the UK on TV
UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington costs £19.99 in the UK and can be watched through EE TV, Virgin Media TV and Sky, online via the web or the TNT Sports Box Office App. You do not need to be a TNT Sports subscriber to buy this event.
- Sky customers can purchase TNT Sports Box Office on channel 490 via their remote control or via https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports
- Customers in the Republic of Ireland can purchase TNT Sports Box Office via Sky at https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports - €29.99 or €34.99 (on the day)
- Virgin Media TV customers in the UK: customers with a TiVo and/or V6 set-top-box should visit the On-Demand section and choose Live Events; customers with a Virgin TV 360 and/or Stream set-top-box should go to the Pay Per View rail
- EE TV customers can go to channel 494 and pay using their remote control.
- Viewers wanting to watch the fight online should visit www.tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice and follow instructions to subscribe and watch on the web or on the TNT Sports Box Office App, customers can choose to watch on the big screen using Google Chromecast and Apple Airplay.
- EE, Three, Vodafone and O2 customers watching online or via the TNT Sports Box Office App can choose to add the payment to their mobile bill.
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TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media
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