The Two Faces of Colby Covington: Paul Felder Reveals the Truth Behind the UFC Villain’s Persona
The UFC world knows Colby Covington as the brash-talking, MAGA hat-wearing villain who spares no one with his verbal jabs. But according to UFC commentator Paul Felder, there’s more to “Chaos” than meets the eye.
The Truth Behind Colby’s Controversial Character
If you’ve followed MMA for any length of time, you’ve witnessed Colby Covington’s inflammatory remarks, political stunts, and seemingly endless feuds. But I’ve always wondered: is this the real Colby, or just an act?
Paul Felder recently shed some light on this question during a podcast appearance, and what he revealed might surprise even the most hardcore MMA fans.
“Recently there was also an encounter with Kamaru Usman when Kamaru walked by Colby, and he was just nothing but respectful,” Felder said.
Wait… respectful? The same Colby who called Usman a “fake champion” and made controversial remarks about his heritage? Something doesn’t add up here.
The Business of Being the Bad Guy
The truth, according to those close to the sport, is that Covington’s villain persona was born out of necessity. Back in 2017, when the UFC was reportedly considering cutting him despite his winning streak, Colby cranked up the controversy dial and never looked back.
What started as a survival tactic evolved into one of the most profitable characters in UFC history. Love him or hate him, you’re paying attention to him—and in fight promotion, attention equals dollars.
The Jekyll and Hyde of UFC
Felder’s comments highlight something many fighters have whispered about: the Colby Covington you see on camera is drastically different from the one they encounter behind the scenes.
| Public Colby | Private Colby |
|---|---|
| Brash trash-talker | Respectful colleague |
| Controversial statements | Professional interactions |
| Seems to hate everyone | Shows respect to former opponents |
This duality creates an interesting question for fans: Are we being worked? And does it matter if we are?
The Kamaru Usman Revelation
The encounter Felder references is particularly noteworthy given the bitter history between Covington and Usman. Their two championship bouts were preceded by some of the most personal trash talk in recent UFC history.
Yet away from the cameras, Covington showed respect to the man who handed him two of his career losses. This glimpse behind the curtain reveals the calculated nature of Covington’s public persona.
Why the Act Works
In today’s saturated combat sports landscape, being skilled isn’t always enough. Fighters who generate controversy get more opportunities, bigger paychecks, and longer careers. Covington understood this reality better than most.
By playing the villain so convincingly that even some of his peers believed it was real, Colby secured his position as one of the UFC’s most reliable pay-per-view draws outside the true superstars like McGregor.
What This Means for Fans
So where does this leave us as MMA fans? Should we feel duped by Covington’s act, or appreciate him as a performance artist who understood the game better than most?
I think there’s room for both perspectives. The feuds and trash talk may be amplified, but the fights themselves remain real. Those five-round wars with Usman weren’t staged, and neither were the broken jaws and bloody faces.
Perhaps the wisest approach is to enjoy the show while understanding it for what it is—a show. And occasionally, when figures like Felder pull back the curtain, we can appreciate the craftsman behind the character.
What’s Next for Covington?
With Covington coming off a loss to Leon Edwards and seemingly at a crossroads in his career, it will be interesting to see if his persona evolves. At 36, does he double down on the character that made him famous, or do we start seeing more of the “real” Colby?
Only time will tell, but one thing’s for certain—whether you love him or hate him, you’ll be watching. And in the fight game, that’s the ultimate victory.
What do you think about Colby Covington’s dual persona? Is it just smart business, or does it cross the line? Let us know in the comments!
Source: BJPENN.com