5 respectful post-fight interactions in recent UFC history
The UFC has always been a promoter of bad blood. Call-outs and heated verbal exchanges have ensured good business for Dana White's organization. Fighters such as Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz and Chael Sonnen have been instrumental in propelling the promotion to where it is today.
That being said, MMA is also about respect, and the octagon has been privy to that many times. In a sport driven by bad blood and violence, it's always a delight to watch fighters hugging it out after a fight.
While that wasn't the case during UFC 272 between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, most fights do end rather respectfully.
With that in mind, here are five respectable post-fight interactions in recent UFC history.
#5. Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington at UFC 268
Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington’s rivalry needs no mention. The two have fought twice and have never shied away from admitting their hatred for each other.
Understandably, emotions ran high at UFC 268 where Covington faced Usman for the second time after losing via TKO in their first meeting.
As is the case for all of the promotion's press conferences featuring ‘Chaos’, UFC 268 pre-fight press conference also saw Covington in his usual ‘heel’ persona. He fired shots at Usman and his family, trying to get under his skin.
"I'm looking at your dad over here ... I can just tell he's embarrassed each and every time you open your mouth."
Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington brought each other's fathers into the pre-fight trash talk.
#UFC268 | More: bit.ly/3k6IzxH https://t.co/IpbrXD2BQF
Considering all the hatred going into the fight, the end of the high voltage bout wore a completely different look.
After pounding each other for five grueling rounds, both fighters shocked a packed Madison Square Garden by hugging and congratulating each other. As per the videos that surfaced later, ‘Chaos’ was quoted saying:
“You know I’m just trying to sell it for you. It’s all love. I’ve always had love for you. I’m just trying to make you money.”
What did Colby Covington say to Kamaru Usman after #UFC268?
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Usman too had words of praise for the American during the post-fight octagon interview. Speaking to Joe Rogan after winning by unanimous decision, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ said:
“There was a lot of trash talk, there’s a lot of bad blood here and I’m sure there’s still going to be some after tonight. But this guy’s a tough son of a b****.”
Watch Kamaru Usman's post-fight octagon interview here: