Paddy Pimblett and Colby Covington were involved in a heated backstage altercation following UFC 314 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The incident occurred shortly after Pimblett secured a dominant third-round TKO victory over Michael Chandler in the co-main event, marking the biggest win of his career and solidifying his position as a top contender in the lightweight division.
Watch: Paddy Pimblett and Colby Covington’s Heated Exchange
As Pimblett conducted post-fight interviews, Covington, a former interim welterweight champion, approached him unprovoked, sparking a verbal confrontation. Colby Covington criticized Paddy Pimblett’s opponents and accused him of facing fighters on losing streaks. The exchange quickly escalated, with Pimblett threatening to slap Covington and mocking his recent record, pointing out that Covington has lost three of his last four fights.
Security intervened to separate the two before the situation could turn physical. Pimblett addressed the altercation during his post-fight press conference, dismissing Covington as “Mr. Irrelevant” and accusing him of seeking attention in front of cameras. “He’s nearly 40 and trying to stay relevant by jumping on me,” Pimblett said.
He also referenced a previous encounter at a Power Slap event, claiming Covington avoided eye contact when no cameras were present. The clash between the two fighters appears unlikely to lead to a bout, as they compete in different weight classes and are at contrasting points in their careers. While Pimblett is climbing the lightweight rankings and eyeing top-tier opponents or even a title shot, Covington has struggled to regain momentum in the welterweight division. UFC President Dana White downplayed the incident but praised Pimblett’s performance against Chandler.
