LAS VEGAS – Dana White didn’t like what he saw from Colby Covington in his return to the octagon.
The long-time UFC welterweight contender lost a lackluster unanimous decision to champion Leon Edwards this past Saturday in the main event of UFC 296. This was a big moment for Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC), as it was his third and likely his last shot at a UFC undisputed title.
Despite the big pressure, White doesn’t think that was a factor, but instead believes father time has caught up to him.
“I think pressure gets to everybody,” White said at the UFC 296 post-fight press conference. “I’m sure Leon had a ton of pressure. Leon was just talking about what he said to his father, and you know, the last thing you want to do is to go out and lose to that guy.
“All these guys deal with pressure, but Colby has been in big fights before. This isn’t Colby’s first rodeo, he’s been in big fights. Colby just looked slow and old tonight, in my opinion.”
Covington hadn’t fought since March 2022 and is just two months shy of his 36th birthday. White believes it was a mistake from Covington to sit and wait for his title shot, as the inactivity affected him.
“I guess my take on it, and let me know what you guys think, but when you’re 35 years old or any age in this sport, and you’re like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to wait,’ waiting is never a good idea in this sport,” White said. “This sport doesn’t wait for anybody.
“I think he looked slow tonight. He got outwrestled. Leon looked good. He looked fast. (Covington) Looked like he had trouble dealing with his speed and getting outwrestled, too. And not to mention the fact that Leon absolutely destroyed that leg.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.
