Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Check out some of Colby Covington’s most popular Instagram posts.
Social media is part of life in the fight game for most fighters. Many of them turn to Instagram to keep their fans and followers informed and entertained since (for now) its reputation is less vitriolic than some of its contemporaries.
Check out some of the most popular Instagram posts from former interim champ [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] (16-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) over the past year.
Here are the top four honorable mentions and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Knockout of the Year” award for 2020.
With another action-packed year of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie takes a look at the best knockouts from January to December. Here are the top five and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Knockout of the Year” award for 2020.
At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting on your choice for “Knockout of the Year.”
Check out some of Randa Markos’ most popular Instagram posts ahead of UFC on ESPN+ 36.
Social media is part of life in the fight game for most fighters. Many of them turn to Instagram to keep their fans and followers informed and entertained since (for now) its reputation is less vitriolic than some of its contemporaries.
Ahead of her fight against Mackenzie Dern (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), check out some of the most popular Instagram posts from [autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag] (10-8-1 MMA, 6-7 UFC) over the past year.
Markos and Dern are part of the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 36, which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.
UFC lightweight Kevin Croom and DWCS competitor Jose Flores each were issued four-and-a-half month suspensions for marijuana use.
LAS VEGAS – UFC lightweight [autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag] and Dana White’s Contender Series competitor [autotag]Jose Flores[/autotag] each were issued four-and-a-half month suspensions in relation to marijuana use.
The Nevada Athletic Commission handed out the orders during Wednesday’s monthly meeting, which was held via teleconference due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Croom (22-12 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made his promotional debut at UFC on ESPN+ 35 on Sept. 12, stepping in on just one day’s notice before needing just 31 seconds to score a submission win over Roosevelt Roberts. “The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly” also earned a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus.
However, a pre-fight drug screen identified the presence of marijuana, and Croom subsequently agreed to a proposed adjudication agreement approved Wednesday that includes the suspension, which expires on Jan. 26, 2021, as well as a reduced fine of $1,800 fine and prosecution fees totaling $145.36.
Flores (9-2) kicked off the current fourth season of Dana White’s Contender Series at DWCS 27 on Aug. 4. He was submitted in the opening round by Jordan Leavitt, who was awarded a UFC deal.
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After also testing positive for marijuana, Flores agreed to a suspension that expires on Dec. 4, as well as a reduced fine of $750 and prosecution fees totaling $145.36.
In a non-marijuana related decision, heavyweight [autotag]Chad Johnson[/autotag] was issued a nine-month suspension for testing positive for a banned amphetamine.
Johnson (6-2) appeared at Dana White’s Contender Series 29 on Aug. 18, suffering a first-round knockout loss to Josh Parisian, who was awarded a UFC contract with the result.
Johnson’s suspension expires May 18, 2021. He was also fined $750 and must pay prosecution fees totaling $145.36 per Wednesday’s adjudication agreement.
All suspended athletes must also pass drug screens 30 days, 15 days and three days before their next contest in order to regain licensure in Nevada.
Additionally, UFC welterweight [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag] saw his temporary suspension extended after testing positive for carboxy THC, a prohibited cannabinoid, in relation to his Sept. 19 bout at UFC on ESPN+ 36. The commission expects to resolve the issue in December.
Price (14-4-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) fought Donald Cerrone at the event. “The Hybrid” was deducted a point for multiple eye pokes in the opening round of the contest, which ended up being declared a majority draw.
Lastly, [autotag]Joe Pyfer[/autotag], who tested positive for a modulator metabolites in August, was granted a continuance to a later date.
Pyfer (7-2) competed in the featured contest of DWCS 28 on Aug. 11. He was forced to settle for a TKO loss after suffering an arm injury from being slammed to the canvas by Dustin Stoltzfus, who took home a UFC contract with the win.
Colby Covington continues to show he’s one of Donald Trump’s biggest supporters.
UFC welterweight contender [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag]’s ties to President Donald Trump only grew stronger Tuesday night.
Fresh off his victory over Tyron Woodley in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 36 on Sept. 19, Covington attended the first debate of the 2020 campaign season as a guest of the president.
Covington was on hand for the debate between Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, which was held at the Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion on the campus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
Covington has been an outspoken supporter of Trump throughout his rise up the UFC ranks and is rarely seen in public without wearing one of Trump’s trademarked red caps. In August 2018, while holding the UFC interim championship, Covington visited Trump at the White House.
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The relationship has only grown closer in recent weeks as the campaign has heated up. Covington was part of a contingent of UFC fighters, which included company president Dana White, at a Trump campaign rally Sept. 13 in Henderson, Nev.
Then, after Covington finished Woodley via fifth-round TKO six days later, Woodley fielded a phone call live on ESPN+ from Trump, who told him, “I’m your fan; you’re my fan. Two of a kind.” Covington ignited controversy later that night by calling Woodley a “communist” and referring to Black Lives Matter members as “criminals.”
UFC president Dana White is standing firm in his stance that he’s not here to censor his fighters.
ABU DHABI – UFC president Dana White is standing firm in his stance that he’s not here to censor his fighters, no matter how controversial or outlandish their comments may be.
[autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] has again found himself under the microscope of the MMA world in recent days for his comments in the aftermath of his main event win over Tyron Woodley at UFC on ESPN+ 36 this past weekend. Covington had a heated exchange with current UFC champ Kamaru Usman on the ESPN post-fight show, and told the Nigerian-born fighter that he was getting “smoke signals” from his “tribe.”
Moreover, Covington (16-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) proceeded to the post-fight news conference, where he made some divisive statements about his rival Woodley and the Black Lives Matter movement. Since then, several Black UFC fighters, from Israel Adesanya to Leon Edwards to Sijara Eubanks and Hakeem Dawodu, have condemned “Chaos” for being racist. UFC apparel sponsor Reebok also released a statement distancing itself from Covington’s comments.
White did not appear to be keen on taking any action toward Covington for any of his post-fight behavior, though, and reiterated at Thursday’s UFC 253 pre-fight press conference that he’s not in favor of putting filters on his athletes.
“This is the 10th time you guys have asked me this,” White told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “These guys all have their own causes, things – all their own beliefs. We don’t muzzle anybody here. We let everybody speak their mind. I don’t know what he said that was racist. I don’t know if I heard anything racist that he said. I don’t know.”
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According to sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, White was not fully educated Covington’s specific comments in his interaction with Usman. That back-and-forth, in particular, has been highlighted by many as his most racist comments.
When asked directly if the UFC opposes racism, though, White said the promotion does.
“Yeah, of course,” White said. “Come on. I’m not going to play these games with you guys. Come on. If it’s racist? Yes. Of course (we don’t want that).”
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Israel Adesanya addresses comments made by Colby Covington after UFC on ESPN+ 36
Israel Adesanya addresses comments made by Colby Covington after UFC on ESPN+ 36
In a rare move, the UFC’s official apparel sponsor stated it does “not agree” with Colby Covington’s controversial BLM remarks.
Reebok, the UFC’s official apparel sponsor, has taken the rare step of publicly disavowing the words of a Reebok-attired UFC athlete.
The Massachusetts-based company issued a statement Wednesday to Bloody Elbow distancing itself from statements made by UFC welterweight contender [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag], who had several controversial comments regarding the Black Lives Matter movement last week, in the lead-up to and aftermath of his UFC on ESPN+ 36 main event victory over Tyron Woodley.
In the post-fight news conference, Covington referred to the Black Lives Matter movement as, among other things, “a complete sham” and “terrorists.”
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“The Black Lives Matter is a complete sham,” Covington said. “It’s a joke. They’re taking these people that are complete terrorists. They’re taking these people that that are criminals. These aren’t people that are hardworking Americans, blue-collar Americans. These are bad people. They’re criminals.
“They shouldn’t be attacking police. If you’re breaking the law and you’re threatening the cops with weapons, you deserve to get what you get. Law enforcement protects us all. If we don’t have law enforcement, it’d be the wild wild west.”
In a statement to Bloody Elbow, Reebok clarified it does not have a separate sponsorship for Covington, as it does with several top fighters, and says they do not agree with his comments.
“Reebok is the uniform provider for the UFC, however we do not sponsor Colby Covington,” the statement read. “We do not agree with the sentiments he expressed, and stand firm in our belief that Black lives matter. We stand with athletes and communities who are fighting for change.”
Reebok has been the UFC’s official apparel sponsor since 2015. While several UFC athletes have made controversial comments over the years that have been perceived by many as misogynistic, homophobic or transphobic, the company does not have a track record of publicly denouncing athlete speech.
Earlier this year, the company ended its role as title sponsor of the CrossFit Games after CrossFit founder Greg Glassman made a series of racist public comments.
Reebok’s deal as UFC apparel sponsor runs through the end of next March, after which Venum becomes the official sponsor.
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MMA Junkie Radio brings you a live streaming weekly show on SportsCastr to break down all the latest MMA news.
MMA Junkie Radio hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” will go live Wednesday at noon ET with streaming commentary and analysis via SportsCastr, where you can chat with the guys and ask questions.
This week, the guys look back at UFC on ESPN+ 36, look ahead to Saturday’s big UFC 253 card, talk Michael Chandler – and celebrate Goze’s birthday!
Be sure to check back and follow @MMAjunkie, @MMAjunkieRadio and @SportsCastrLive on Twitter to be notified when the guys go live.
Colby Covington says he used to have a tougher time dealing with Tyron Woodley in practice than he did with Jorge Masvidal.
LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] believes [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] was a lot tougher to deal with in practice than [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag].
Covington (16-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC), who was brought in straight out of Oregon State by his old gym, American Top Team, used to be a main sparring partner for both Woodley and Masvidal.
Over the years, Covington’s relationship with both men turned sour, which led to his eventual departure from the gym. Covington settled his score with Woodley (19-6-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC) over the weekend when he dominated and stopped him in Round 5 of the UFC on ESPN+ 36 main event, and he has now set his sights on Masvidal.
Covington and Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 12-7 UFC) used to be roommates and a pivotal part in each other’s fight camp preparations. They have spent plenty hours on the mats, a few which are documented in Masvidal’s infamous video blo, “Tales From the Grind.”
Speaking to reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC on ESPN+ 36 post-fight news conference, Covington insists that Woodley used to give him a harder go in training than Masvidal did.
“Definitely Tyron was more competitive,” Covington said. “I mean you could go look at the videos of me training with Jorge Masvidal. There’s a video on YouTube, us in the apartment training for two hours straight, me just toying with him, playing with him. When I used to train with Jorge in the gym, they used to tell me to go light on him.
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“They’d be like, ‘Hey, go light on him today. He’s preparing for his fights so we want to build his confidence. We don’t want him to go into his fight beat down so go easy on him today because we want to make sure he’s confident going into his fight.’ ‘Street Judas’ Masvidal knows who his daddy is. I’m so mad that last father’s day, he didn’t give me a shout out because I am Jorge Masvidal’s daddy.”
It’s no secret that Covington wants another crack at UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but with Usman booked against Gilbert Burns in December, Covington has set his sights on Masvidal.
“Where’s Jorge Masvidal at?” Covington said. “He needs to come see me for all the talking he’s done. Come see if can walk the walk. I talk the talk and I walk the walk. I want to see Jorge Masvidal in that octagon. … I want the best friends turned enemy fight with ‘Street Judas’ Jorge Masvidal.
“He’s been talking all that talk reckless. He used to talk at the old gym, ‘I’m going to beat your ass, I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that.’ OK. Let’s see it. Come see me in the octagon then. He’s going after that California soy-boy Nate Diaz because he’s going after easy fights. I’m going to expose him like I did Tyron Woodley tonight.”
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