UFC security came prepared for the UFC 296 staredown between welterweight champ Leon Edwards and Colby Colvington.
Moments before Edwards and Covington faced off for cameras, Covington made a tasteless remark toward the UFC champion, invoking his murdered father. Edwards immediately reacted by throwing an item at Covington, and security had to make sure the two didn’t fight right there.
Edwards wanted to get closer to Covington, but several security agents made sure he didn’t get the chance. Covington, meanwhile, mocked Edwards as his own security made sure there wasn’t any retribution.
UFC 296 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Edwards and Covington headline the ESPN+ pay-per-view card on Saturday. Edwards attempts his second title defense after defending it in a trilogy rematch against Kamaru Usman. Covington aims for his second straight win after outpointing former teammate Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272 in March 2022.
This story originally appeared on MMA fighting