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Pimblett and Covington Clash Backstage After UFC 314 Victory
UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett was separated from welterweight fighter Colby Covington following a heated backstage confrontation in the wake of his dominant UFC 314 win against Michael Chandler on Saturday night. The popular Liverpudlian celebrated a significant victory in Miami, overpowering his opponent with superior grappling skills before securing a technical knockout in the third round.
Referee Stoppage Victory for Pimblett
The referee halted the contest after a series of unanswered strikes on the ground from Pimblett. This triumph marked Pimblett’s seventh consecutive win since joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship and elevated his professional mixed martial arts record to 23 wins and 3 losses. In his post-fight interview, Pimblett immediately challenged prominent Brazilian fighter Charles Oliveira.
Covington Intervenes, Sparks Backstage Altercation
As Pimblett issued his challenge, Covington interrupted the proceedings. “Chaos” Covington initiated a verbal barrage, shouting insults that caught Pimblett’s attention, accusing him of facing inferior opposition.
An incensed Pimblett retorted, threatening to strike Covington. “The Baddy” then moved aggressively towards Covington, prompting security personnel to intervene and restrain both combatants, preventing the situation from escalating further.
Pimblett Accuses Covington of Staging Confrontation
After regaining composure, Pimblett accused the often-controversial Covington of deliberately instigating the confrontation for media attention. “I’m not sure what triggered it,” Pimblett stated. “I believe he did it for the cameras.”
“He approached and began talking trash, mentioning Chandler’s record being poor in his last few fights. He’s a joke, nearing 40 years old, attempting to stay relevant by latching onto me while cameras are present,” Pimblett added.
No Bout Expected Despite Backstage Drama
Covington, a former UFC welterweight champion, is a polarizing figure within mixed martial arts. Known for his outspoken support of Donald Trump, he has previously drawn criticism for comments regarding social movements and engaged in verbal disputes with figures like NBA star LeBron James.
Covington’s last victory in the octagon was in December 2022 against Jorge Masvidal, followed by defeats against Leon Edwards and Joaquin Buckley. Pimblett dismissed any suggestion that the backstage incident would lead to a future matchup between them, reiterating that his primary focus remained a bout with Charles Oliveira.