5 Most controversial UFC moments of the decade (2010-2019)
The UFC has grown massively in the last decade, moving from Spike TV to Fox and now to the ESPN network, and along the way, the promotion has sold millions of pay-per-views thanks to superstar headliners like Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey and Georges St-Pierre.
Unfortunately for Dana White and company, the decade between 2010 and 2019 has also seen its fair share of controversial moments. And while some of them have taken place behind the scenes – such as the controversial lawsuit aimed at the promotion by disgruntled former fighters, and the myriad failed drug tests by numerous fighters – some have happened on the biggest stage.
Here are five of the most controversial moments to take place in the UFC in the last decade (2010-2019).
#5 Colby Covington insults Brazil
It seems hard to believe it now, but Colby Covington – recognised these days as perhaps the UFC’s most outspoken fighter – was once a prospect who was flying largely under the radar due to a lack of a marketable personality. By late 2017, ‘Chaos’ was 7-1 in the UFC and had beaten a legitimate contender in Dong Hyun Kim, but due to his wrestling-heavy style and lack of character, he was still the Welterweight division’s forgotten man.
That all changed when Covington stepped into Sao Paulo, Brazil to fight Brazilian legend Demian Maia. ‘Chaos’ produced arguably a career-best performance to beat the veteran, but what really put him on the map – and transformed him into one of the UFC’s most notable fighters – was his post-fight tirade.
Covington labelled Brazil a “dump” before stating that the fans in Sao Paulo were all “filthy animals” – causing them to shower the Octagon with boos before attempting to pelt him with trash as he headed backstage. The former standout wrestler refused any attempts to make him apologise, too – instead apologising to “filthy animals” for comparing them to the people of Sao Paulo!
Eventually the UFC had to place security at Covington’s hotel to protect him from the angry locals, and the promotion then had to change their plans for a Covington/Rafael Dos Anjos fight in 2018, moving it away from the Rio de Janeiro-based UFC 224 due to safety concerns.
Since then Covington has embraced his outspoken persona, going on tirades constantly and even throwing in some Donald Trump-inspired rhetoric. But it all started with that seriously controversial rant in Brazil – one that made him the most hated man in Sao Paulo.