Kamaru Usman was prepared for a confrontation with Colby Covington at the airport, but his rival`s words took him by surprise and diffused the tension.
The welterweight fighters have a history of intense battles, with Usman winning both of their previous matches. Their rivalry is fueled by personal animosity as much as competitive spirit.
When Usman saw Covington in public, he decided to approach him, expecting a hostile exchange.
Kamaru Usman Recounts Surprisingly Pleasant Airport Interaction with Colby Covington
Recently, Kamaru Usman had a friendly meeting with Alex Pereira before UFC 313, showing his ability to resolve conflicts. However, mending fences with Colby Covington seemed much less likely given their deep-seated mutual dislike.
Despite their animosity, an unexpected moment of civility occurred when Usman approached Covington at the airport, ready for a potential altercation. Covington`s unexpectedly friendly demeanor caught Usman off guard.
Speaking on the Full Send podcast, Usman described the encounter: “So, I saw him at the airport, alone and wearing a neck pillow. My teammate started recording, hyping things up. I walked up to him, ready for anything, and asked, `What’s going on, man?` giving him a serious look.”
“But he was so nice, it made me feel like I was the one being unreasonable. I was trying to be intimidating, and he was just friendly, saying, ‘What’s up, man?’ I immediately felt like a jerk.”
This feeling didn`t last long, as Covington soon reverted to his usual provocative behavior.
Usman recounted with amusement, “Then, the following week, he goes online and says, ‘Next time I see you at the airport, I’m going to smack the s— out of you.’ I was just left thinking, ‘bro’?”
Former UFC Figure Suggests Colby Covington Struggles to Maintain “Bad Guy” Persona
It remains unclear whether the genuine Colby Covington is the polite person at the airport or the online provocateur.
Some believe Covington enjoys stirring up controversy, while others maintain that he is genuinely a good person underneath his public image.
One former UFC personality believes Covington is finding it challenging to consistently play the role of the villain.
According to this ex-UFC star, Covington`s “bad guy” act may be wearing thin.
