Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington were held back by security guards at the weigh-ins for UFC 272, with both men firing parting verbal shots before they come to blows in the octagon on Sunday (AEDT).
Both men made weight for the welterweight bout, with both coming in at 170.5 pounds.
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Masvidal made his way onto the stage accompanied by Paulino Hernandez, a coach at American Top Team and one of the main reasons as to why there is such bad blood between himself and Covington.
The BMF champion looked cool, calm and collected before stepping onto the scales, while Covington cupped his ear to the crowd and looked to bring plenty of noise as he made weight.
UFC president Dana White came prepared with plenty of security to ensure the two wouldn’t come to blows earlier than they are scheduled, but both were yelling plenty of obscenities before Covington was moved to the other side of the stage.
Commentator Joe Rogan, who is returning after missing the last UFC pay-per-view over a “scheduling conflict”, asked Masvidal how it felt to fight a “bitter rival,” to which Masvidal responded by launching into an expletive-laden tirade.
“I wouldn’t say a bitter rival, this guy’s a b***h man,” Covington said.
“But I did bring the guy that he ripped off right here that was never a part of the American Top Team payroll.
“This is my father figure in the sport and in life.
“I’m doing it for him, I’m doing it for me.
“This guy’s a b***h and I can’t wait to prove it tomorrow.
“F*****g b***h. And he’s got that mad herpes, you f*****g b***h.
“D**k-sniffing ass b***h.
“Thank everybody for coming out, even if you cheer for this f*****g charlatan.
“Colby, sell that PPV for me.
“Look at me when I’m talking to you, b***h. You can’t, b***h.
“You get up here and talk all of that s**t so they buy that PPV b***h, which you’re getting none of.
Rogan then handed over Covington the microphone for the right of reply, in which the former welterweight interim champ said he send Masvidal to the electric chair before bizarrely calling out NBA superstar LeBron James.
But first, Covington paid tribute to Rogan returning to the commentary desk for the card.
“It’s so great to have you back, Joe Rogan,” Covington said.
“We love you at the UFC, we missed you.
“F*** cancel culture.
“Tonight is street Judas’ last supper. Tomorrow I’m sending him to the electric chair. I’m going to flip the switch and fry his bum ass and electrify the T-Mobile Arena like it’s never been electrified before.
“Before I go, I want to say a big thank you to the real heroes and celebrities in this country.
“Not that woke, spineless coward like LeBron James.
“I’m talking about our heroes, law enforcement, military, our first responders.
“God bless you, God bless you all. God bless America.”
Also featuring on the card is Australian lightweight star Jamie Mullarkey.
The 27-year-old made weight at 155.5 pounds and will take on American Jalin Turner in the featured bout of the prelims.
Mullarkey is looking to extend his two-fight win streak into three, with both wins coming via a KO/TKO finish.