EXCLUSIVE Michael Bisping on why Colby Covington is ‘like the Energizer Bunny’, how Leon Edwards will deal with rival ‘talking all kinds of s***’ and the looming presence of Donald Trump ahead of UFC 296 in Las Vegas

• Leon Edwards makes second title defence against Colby Covington at UFC296 
• Michael Bisping previewed huge fight and expects mind games from American 
• Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett MUST seize his moment in the UFC 296 limelight after seeing his career stutter – The Hook 

Once the pioneer, Michael Bisping is now the Godfather of British MMA, or perhaps even the consigliere, advising those following in his footsteps. 

Having played his part in mentoring Tom Aspinall to the interim heavyweight crown, he is now considering the battle ahead for Leon Edwards. 

‘Rocky’ faces Colby Covington at UFC 296 under the bright lights of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday. So, who better to preview the second ever British champion’s headliner than the man who walked the path first?

‘Look at Colby, he’s 35, had three title fights so far and they are hard to come by, this will be his fourth if you include the interim shot,’ Bisping exclusively told Mail Sport. 

‘This is definitely going to be his last one, so he’s going to show up, of course Donald Trump is in the building and he said there’s no way he’s going to lose in front of the former president.

Colby Covington (left) challenges Leon Edwards (right) in the main event of UFC 296 

Michael Bisping was the first British UFC champion and Edwards followed in his footsteps

Trump is the cornerstone of the persona half cultivated, half conjured by Covington. The MAGA hat goes everywhere with him, as do his divisive, loud and controversial views. 

Ever since he went from mild-mannered, slightly bland competitor to loud-mouth wind-up merchant his rise has been undeniable. But controversy brings eyeballs, eyeballs bring bums on seats and for the UFC the dollar signs roll. 

‘Colby is going to come out with all kinds of nonsense, let’s be honest!’, adds Bisping, who will be alongside Aspinall and Paul Craig for his Tales of the Octagon 2 events this week in Birmingham and London. ‘And we’re all looking forward to it. We love those press conferences and that UFC 296 one is going to be wild.

‘There will be a lot of personal politics on that stage, we’ve got Paddy Pimblett, Tony Ferguson, the while Ian Garry situation. 

‘Ian is just lucky he isn’t fighting Colby Covington because he does not pull any punches. But Leon is rock solid mentally and regardless of what Colby is going to say, it will be water off a duck’s back.’

Edwards is as understated and introverted as Covington is comically brash. 

The Jamaican-born fighter who grew up in Birmingham shocked the world by sending Kamaru Usman with a head kick from another dimension last year to win the title. 

Having defended it against the same man on home turf in July, he now heads into enemy territory against the challenger who Usman beat twice. 

Covington is expected to be front and centre with his showmanship during fight week 

Edwards is the current UFC welterweight champion after beating Kamaru Usman twice

Given those results, you’d be forgiven for thinking Saturday night could be a cakewalk for Edwards but that’s not the case, says Bisping. 

He explained: ‘The reality is that Colby’s last fight was almost two years ago against Jorge Masvidal, before that, he did fight Kamaru twice and lost both of those fights. On paper, as you say, they are kind of similar match-ups but there are some differences. 

‘Kamaru in the first one was doing very well against Leon until that head kick. And then he steps back in the octagon against Leon straight after getting knocked out. I was knocked out by Dan Henderson and didn’t fight him again until seven years later. Even then, all that time passed with confidence building, there was still a bit of trepidation, still a bit of anxiety knowing that I got put to sleep with him next time. 

‘I respect Kamaru for it but I’m not taking away from Leon’s performance, he beat him fair and square, was the better man on the night without question, but I do think it affected Kamaru, I do think he was a bit gun shy. 

‘Stylistically, yes they’re both wrestlers, but Colby can swing, he can pack a punch but the output from Colby is his point of difference. Kamaru had more power in his hands and may be stronger as a bigger guy but Colby is like the Energizer Bunny, he never stops and he chains the attacks together ridiculously. 

‘He’ll go from a double leg, to a single leg, high crotch, he never ever stops. Leon now, having fought Kamaru in his last two fights, all the work that he did in that training camp to beat Kamaru Usman, that’s all going to parlay into this one.’

Covington will make plenty of noise during fight week but the fact that he’s been uncharacteristically quiet in recent weeks tells Bisping he will come into the headliner laser focused.

Bisping understands what it is like to face someone who knocked you out – as he did when he fought and defeated Dan Henderson (above) in his title defence

Donald Trump is expected to be in attendance for Covington’s fight on December 16

‘Honestly, I think Colby is going to be tough for Leon to deal with,’ he said.

‘The Donald Trump stuff, Colby is going to show up, he talks a lot of c**p, I did an interview with him on my YouTube channel and he was saying all kinds of stuff and no doubt gives Mail Sport some tremendous headlines! But lately, he’s gone quiet. That’s because he’s in the gym doing the work and he’s under a lot of pressure. 

‘So I think there will be some sticky moments for Leon, to think Colby isn’t going to have any success would be crazy and doesn’t give him any credit. But I do expect Leon to win. 

‘I do believe after this Leon will still be the welterweight champion of the world.’

Bisping hung up his gloves in 2018 but has emerged as an insightful broadcaster and analyst for the UFC. 

So how does he think Edwards should counter the ‘Energizer Bunny’? 

Edwards is incredibly well rounded and has the advantage in the stand-up game  

‘He’ll do it by maintaining range, stopping takedowns, getting back to his feet if he does get taken down, punishing Colby in the clinch if he does get taken down with knees and elbows,’ the 44-year-old says. 

‘On the feet, it’s not even a competition, Leon is a tremendous striker, he’s beautiful to watch and he’s so technical and he’s massive for the weight class as well so he’s by far the bigger guy. 

‘Fights with Usman were perfect preparation. Kamaru beat Colby and I know MMA maths doesn’t always stack up but it can give you a pretty good indication. I expect Leon to be the champ but I expect it to be an entertaining fight.’ 

Tales From The Octagon 2 comes to London 14th Dec and Manchester 16th, www.myticket.co.uk

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