Leon Edwards outwrestled, outfought, and outclassed Colby Covington to retain his UFC welterweight championship.
The build-up to their clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada was marred by Covington's disgraceful comments, which saw him mock the Brit's father, who was murdered in a gangland shootout in London when Edwards was only 13 years old. Edwards, 32, admitted after the fight the rage he was feeling after that comment resulted in him bursting into tears after the press conference.
However, the Birmingham based fighter kept his composure and proceeded to outwrestle Covington to secure an unanimous decision victory, while also consigning the foul-mouthed American to his third title fight defeat in a row. After his arms were raised in victory, an emotional Edwards blasted Covington.
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"This guy used my dad's death as entertainment," an emotional Edwards said. "He used my dad's murder as entertainment, and it took a lot for me to calm down, stay focused and come win this fight.
"I spoke to my coaches, I spoke to my mum and I kind of shut it all down." He added: "After the press conference I went backstage and I was crying just from the rage. You can't use my dad's death as entertainment, and that's what he did.
What was your reaction to Leon Edwards' emotional victory over Colby Covington? Let us know in the comment section below
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"To this day it still breaks my heart that he got murdered. He said my dad should burn in hell." At the end of his speech, Edwards said: "He's a great competitor, but he's a dirty human being."
Edwards' father was shot and killed in a London nightclub when the now UFC champion was only a teenager. While he has never delved into the specifics of his father's crimes, Edwards has admitted his father was involved in criminal activity.
Before the bout, Donald Trump megafan Covington double downed on his venomous comments by accusing Edwards' father of being a sex trafficker, drug dealer and murderer. In an interview with AG.Fight, he said: "What about all the victims of the harm that Leon's father did to them. He was a sex trafficker, he was a drug lord, he killed people, the guy's a scumbag, why would I feel bad for that? I have no sympathy for that guy.
"What about all the victims' families who have to live on right now, live through all the things that he did to them, how he tormented those people? So, no I don't feel bad for him, the truth hurts and that's why people hate me, I'm not afraid to say the truth and the truth is what always stings the worst."
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