UFC's Colby Covington's Classless Comments

[oldgrappler]

Colby Covington just beat one of the classiest MMA fighters you will find in the sport on Saturday night. He swarmed Robbie Lawler with relentless offense. We knew his wrestling would be better than Lawler's but had no idea his striking was as good as it turned out to be. Lawler was never able to set his feet and throw those hay-makers that he is known for. Lawler is a warrior but spent most of his time on the defense. Props to Covington for coming prepared to fight and having a motor that would not quit or even take a break.

 

But what Colby Covington said after the win has no place in sports and competition. He said Lawler should have learned a lesson from his buddy Matt Hughes (former UFC Welterweight Champion). "You stay off the tracks when the train is coming through." Then compared himself to a train on the tracks that run over Lawler. This was not clever. It was cruel.

 

His analogy to getting run over by a train is in reference to the fact that Robbie Lawler's good friend, Matt Hughes, was hit by a train while crossing the RR tracks in rural Illinois in 2017. Hughes had to be airlifted to a hospital where he was left in serious condition following the accident requiring months of physical therapy. Though his hard work paid off in a remarkable recovery, Hughes is permanently impaired from the head trauma he sustained and his movement is visibly altered. It is sad to see one of the greatest MMA champs in such condition.

 

For Colby Covington to so callously mock Matt Hughes after his victory over Lawler is beyond the pale. This kind of behavior is not a part of the spirit of competition. It has no place in sport. The UFC needs to send a message to Colby Covington by leveling a huge fine for his statement, if not giving him a lengthy suspension.

[Mowingman]

It seems Dana White likes that behavior, he let his boy Conner say and do whatever he wanted. So I don’t see anything coming of Covington’s disrespect of the Hall of Famer.

Edited August 7, 2019 by theguru
Rule 13

[oldgrappler]

You may be right, but Covington crossed a line that not even McGregor approached.

[theguru]

This kind of thing has to be bad for the sport as a whole and if it isn't where are we headed next.

[oldgrappler]

Matt Hughes responded on instagram. His response is typical Matt Hughes, super cool...

 

“Not sure if Colby Covington should have used my accident as fuel for his post-fight trash talk, but that was one heck of a fight. Nice win for American Top Team, and Robbie Lawler always puts on a good fight. Reminder though, this is the fighting world. People trash talk and you gotta have thick skin.” Hughes wrote on Instagram. as quoted on bjpenn.com.

 

That response is a stark contrast to the original taunt by Covington that was just plain dirty and vicious. He is being called out for those comments by many of his fellow UFC competitors, friend and foe alike. Dana White needs to be among those who says this is not the way this sport will be represented.

 

Much respect to Matt Hughes. He is a true competitor.

 

For those who don't know about Matt Hughes, here's a short video of one of the greatest moments in MMA history. Hughes v. Trigg 2:

 

[Bluesport]

I like Colby-showed up last night with his fake belt to the fights. He is good for the sport as they need guys who move the needle. That being said, he has crossed a lot of lines.

[Bluesport]

I didn't even know there was a MMA forum here, and that is my favorite sport:).

[oldgrappler]

I didn't even know there was a MMA forum here, and that is my favorite sport:).

 

It used be more active, one poster in particular would start a thread about every event. Only a few of us responded so the guy got tired of posting and there hasn't been much on here about MMA since.