UFC: Colby Covington offers to ‘save America’ by fighting Tyron Woodley on short notice at relocated London card
- Covington wants to ‘put the MAGA cape on’ after Woodley’s original opponent Edwards pulls out
- Edwards ‘heartbroken’ after promotion announces London card will be relocated due to concerns over coronavirus
Colby Covington has offered to “put his MAGA cape on” and step in to fight former teammate Tyron Woodley at UFC Fight Night 171 this weekend.
“Word on the street is [Leon] is out. The UFC and America need a hero. Who wants to see America’s champ put the MAGA cape on and beat the [expletive] out of Tyron Woodley live on ESPN next week for your entertainment and my own personal pleasure?” Covington (15-2) wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of him holding an interim belt.
Covington – a former training partner of Woodley’s at American Top Team – posted twice more, the latest a video saying: “[Tyron], America wants March Madness. The people want this fight. I want this fight. Your last album was so bad, you need this fight. Let’s save America, [expletive].”
Edwards, who is ranked fourth in the welterweight division, announced he was pulling out of the fight hours after London’s O2 Arena was scrapped as the fight location. The UFC’s new arrangements have yet to be confirmed.
“Last night I went to sleep still with some hope that UFC London would continue next week. I woke up this morning to the news that it won’t be. We have been working with the UFC on possible solutions to keep the fight alive, but unfortunately with such a short window of time, nothing was viable.
“Myself and my team are all fathers, husbands, sons and brothers, and not all of us can leave our families right now. I wish we could have found a way for the fans, I truly do. I have been dreaming of headlining a UFC show in my home country since I started this sport. This cancellation is truly heartbreaking.
“I have never worked harder and never been more prepared for the biggest moment in my career. But I know that the whole world is hurting right now and this is bigger than me, this is bigger than sports. All I can hope for is that all of you stay safe and look after each other as we all get past this and move forward,” Edwards said.
