LEON EDWARDS and Colby Covington had to be separated by security during their final pre-fight face-off.
Edwards, 32, will make the second defence of his welterweight title against the controversial American early tomorrow morning in the main event of UFC 296 in Las Vegas.
GETTYLeon Edwards and Colby Covington faced for the final time at the UFC 296 ceremonial weigh-ns[/caption]
GettySecurity and UFC president Dana White refused to let the pair get too close[/caption]
And they went head-to-head one last at the MGM Grand Garden Arena early this morning at the ceremonial weigh-ins.
Covington – who weighed 169.5lbs at the official weigh-ins on Friday afternoon – received a mix of boos and cheers from the crowd as he took to the stage for the ceremonial act.
Edwards, who was bang on the 170lbs, limit was on the receiving end of some boos as he conducted his own ceremonial weigh-in.
And after stepping off the scale, the Jamaican-born Brit made an immediate beeline for the former interim welterweight champion.
Security and UFC president Dana White, however, stopped the pair from getting in each other’s faces and prematurely trading blows.
Tensions were high as Covington nearly ignited a brawl at the press conference with his crass jibe at Edwards’ late dad.
He said: “I’m bringing you to the seventh layer of hell.
“We’ll say ‘what’s up’ to your dad while we’re there.”
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GettyLeon Edwards vowed to make Colby Covington pay for his crude jibe[/caption]
The normally cool, calm and collected Edwards snapped at the comment, throwing a water bottle at the American and jumping out of his seat.
Edwards didn’t mince his words when Covington’s vile taunt was put to him.
He said: “The guy’s a piece of s**t. But just make sure you keep that same energy backstage. Keep that energy backstage.”
And he sent a chilling warning the challenger’s way after their face-off, telling Joe Rogan: “That man is as good as dead tomorrow.
“Make sure you keep everything what you said about my dad.
Tomorrow, we can settle it.”
Covington, meanwhile, said: “Las Vegas, Nevada, are you ready for an American revolution?
“This is fight tomorrow night is for all the men and women in law enforcement.
“All our troops past and present. And the whole entire MAGA movement. You can delay us, but you cannot deny us.
“Trump is taking back the White House and I’m taking back the undisputed tomorrow night. This one’s for America, let’s go!”