5 times Colby Covington crossed the line in 2024

Colby Covington's rise to stardom is often attributed to his polarizing public persona. It's well known that the veteran American MMA stalwart displayed the said persona only a few years into his UFC career.

Fight fans often cite that Covington's breakthrough moment as a controversial character came in 2017 when he gave his infamous speech deeming Brazil "a dump" after outpointing Demian Maia inside the octagon.

The 36-year-old's supporters argue that he presents himself as an over-the-top character to generate fan interest and accrue greater revenues -- adding that he's a respectful person behind the scenes. Alternatively, his opposers suggest that it's simply reflective of his true personality.

'Chaos' has long been accused of making certain public assertions, which many have deemed as discriminatory and incendiary. Today we look at some of his most polarizing actions/claims from 2024, wherein many believed he crossed the line.

---

#5. Colby Covington choked out rapper Lil Pump

Colby Covington notably collaborated with American rapper, Lil Pump, on social media in 2024, with the duo featuring in a couple of videos together.

The first witnessed Pump attempt to submit the fighter with a guillotine choke. Incidentally, Covington's lone submission defeat in his MMA career came via that move against Warlley Alves way back in 2015.

In their second video, Covington attempted a submission. He caught the 24-year-old hip-hop star in a rear-naked choke. Lil Pump seemed to tap out multiple times before being rendered unconscious. Onlookers appeared to notify Covington that the rapper had been choked to sleep, after which he released the choke. The rapper's legs were then lifted to get blood flowing to his brain.

Many observers condemned Covington, alleging that the grappling savant and experienced MMA fighter didn't let go of the choke despite Lil Pump tapping repeatedly and then being separated from his consciousness. Pump later clarified that he'd signed a waiver beforehand and had requested 'Chaos' to choke him out. He even jestingly implied that he wanted to feel what it's like to get choked to sleep.

Watch the video below:

---

#4. Colby Covington's "DEI doctor" claim

Colby Covington's most recent fight witnessed him suffer a third-round TKO (doctor stoppage) defeat against Joaquin Buckley in the headlining match of UFC Tampa on Dec. 14. Covington disapproved of it.

Addressing his fans on his YouTube channel, Covington later underscored that his fighting style entails using stellar cardio to take foes into the later rounds and outwork and/or finish them.

The ex-interim UFC welterweight champion claimed the cut over his right eye -- which caused the octagon-side doctor to advise the referee to stop the fight -- was caused by a headbutt. He opined that the tide was turning and Buckley was losing steam, adding that he'd have beaten 'New Mansa' in the championship rounds if it weren't for the "DEI doctor" stopping the fight:

"It's unfortunate that DEI doctor stopped the fight early. I thought it was just getting started, and there was a lot more that needed to be settled in there."

For context, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) is regarded by some as a polarizing topic in the socio-political discourse in the U.S. and beyond. The organizational theory promotes the practice of giving persons from certain communities -- deemed to be historically disadvantaged or oppressed -- greater preference in a given job/opportunity.

Covington faced widespread derision for chalking up his loss to the political topic. Some even accused him of fueling incendiary narratives to divert attention away from his one-sided defeat.

Watch Colby Covington's assessment below:

---

#3. Colby Covington's Epstein List and Diddy crime claims

Colby Covington has long been a vocal supporter of the Republican Party's Donald Trump, a former POTUS and current president-elect. During his UFC Tampa media day scrum, Covington reiterated his belief that NBA legend LeBron James was allegedly involved with P. Diddy in his crime-marred parties/afterparties.

Also, speaking to Fox News earlier in 2024, Covington slammed the Democratic Party's 2024 presidential hopeful Kamala Harris and vice presidential hopeful Tim Walz.

Covington also insinuated that multiple Hollywood staples and other celebrities, including the likes of musician Bruce Springsteen and ex-POTUS Barack Obama, were connected to the late Jeffrey Epstein and the infamous Epstein List.

He alleged that they were also linked to the currently jailed P. Diddy, a hip-hop icon accused of perpetrating criminal activities at his famous parties/afterparties. 'Chaos' stated:

"They're definitely not the 'Bro Vote.' I think they're probably on the Epstein Client list or on the Diddy list. That's probably why they're out there, trying to campaign for the Harris and Walz regime."

Covington relentlessly campaigned for Trump, ultimately falling on the winning side of the election.

However, the UFC star has faced considerable backlash from certain quarters for repeatedly hurling serious accusations at American sports icons like James and other public personalities.

The controversies notwithstanding, 'Chaos' has remained steadfast in his public stance and stood by his claims.

Check out Covington's comments below:

---

#2. Colby Covington's recent remarks regarding UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad

During UFC Tampa media day, ahead of his welterweight showdown against Joaquin Buckley, Covington seemingly jibed at UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad over his Palestinian heritage. Muhammad had withdrawn from UFC 310 the week prior due to a bone infection in his left foot.

Referencing that he'd offered to step in on short notice to fight Muhammad's opponent, Shavkat Rakhmonov, at the event, Covington stated:

"Yeah, so, I called the UFC when Belal had a pager on his foot and he backed out. Because I guess the pager exploded on his ankle and messed up his toe, which is just weird. You guys need to ask Belal why is he wearing pagers around his ankle. It's just weird. But, so, he pulled out of the fight. So, I called the UFC and volunteered..."

Certain sections of the MMA community lambasted Covington, citing that he'd allegedly referenced the series of electronic device (pagers and walkie-talkies) attacks that rocked Lebanon and Syria in September 2024.

The attacks reportedly targeted the Hezbollah militant organization, which supports Palestine, as a part of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. In response, ex-UFC fighter Jake Shields derided Covington, while Belal Muhammad subsequently jibed at 'Chaos' himself.

Check out a clip of Covington's comments, as well as Shields' response, below:

---

#1. Colby Covington lays down conditions for Ian Machado Garry, including partner Layla Machado Garry

Colby Covington has often made extremely personal remarks regarding Ian Machado Garry, whereas the Irishman has maintained that Covington is evading a potential fight against him.

In March 2024, Covington took to Instagram to put forth a monologue. He made some comments, deemed derogatory by many, against Garry's wife -- public personality Layla Machado Garry (aka Layla Anna-Lee).

Covington laid down three conditions for him to fight 'The Future' inside the octagon. The first was to turn the comments option, to Garry and Layla's Instagram handles, on. If they were switched off at any point before the fight, it'd mean the Irishman forfeited the hypothetical fight. Also, if they were to turn the comments option off during or after the fight, Garry would have to forfeit his purse. He also labeled Layla a "gold-digging wh**e."

The second stipulation saw Covington assert that Garry wasn't authorized to make decisions in the couple's marriage. Taking aim at Layla, he said:

"Layla, you got 60 seconds to convince me and the people why this fight needs to happen. So put your husband in the corner, get on your hands and knees, and beg."

The third stipulation saw Colby Covington allude that the female models who featured in his gaming/betting promo collaborations and videos were largely absent as of late. He implied that he'd kept the spot open for Layla to feature with him in a video.

Many fans deemed Covington's conditions as disrespectful. Garry has since maintained that 'Chaos' continues to duck him. Speaking to the media during UFC Tampa fight week, Covington recently reaffirmed his stipulations.

Watch Colby Covington's monologue below: