In a shocking turn of events at the UFC 296 press conference, Colby Covington stirred controversy with offensive comments targeting fellow fighters, including Leon Edwards. Former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill joined the chorus of disapproval, taking to social media to express his disdain for Covington's behavior.

Covington's verbal jabs went beyond the typical pre-fight banter, touching sensitive subjects like mental health and invoking the tragic loss of Edwards' father. The usually composed Edwards couldn't contain his anger, responding with a thrown water bottle as tensions escalated.

Jamahal Hill, known for his calm demeanor inside the octagon, didn't mince words in his criticism of Covington. In a recent tweet, he not only voiced support for Edwards but also condemned Covington's conduct. Hill emphasized that someone displaying such behavior should not hold a championship belt.

In a shocking turn of events at the UFC 296 pre-fight ceremony, No. 3-ranked welterweight contender Colby Covington stirred controversy with boorish antics that went beyond the usual pre-fight banter. During his mic time, Covington not only stumbled through his scripted routine but also took a disgraceful shot at Leon Edwards' deceased father.

"On Saturday night, I'm going to bring you to a place you never want to be," Covington provocatively declared. "I'm going to bring you to the seventh layer of hell. We'll say 'what's up' to your dad while we're there."

Unsurprisingly, this led to a physical altercation onstage, marking one of the darker moments in UFC press conference history.

In a major heavyweight rebooking, Curtis Blaydes is set to square off against Jailton Almeida at UFC 299 in the first quarter of next year, according to sources confirmed by ESPN on Tuesday. While the UFC is yet to make an official announcement, sources reveal that the bout has been signed. Although UFC 299's official date and location remain unconfirmed, the event is scheduled for March.

ESPN's heavyweight rankings position Blaydes at No. 5 and Almeida at No. 8 globally. Initially slated to face off on Nov. 4 in the main event of UFC Sao Paulo, the bout was disrupted when Blaydes withdrew for undisclosed reasons, leading to Derrick Lewis stepping in as a replacement.

Blaydes (17-4, 1 NC) recently experienced a knockout loss to Sergei Pavlovich in April, breaking a three-fight winning streak. The 32-year-old, based in the Chicago area, has encountered defeats only from power punchers Pavlovich, Francis Ngannou, and Lewis in his seven-year UFC career.

Ian Machado Garry's anticipated presence at the UFC 296 media day took an unexpected turn on Wednesday. Originally slated to initiate the question-and-answer session, the 26-year-old Irish prospect failed to show up. In a surprising twist, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson took the lead, and as other fighters made their appearances, Machado Garry remained conspicuously absent.

UFC officials, later confirming Garry's unavailability to MMA Fighting, provided no immediate explanation. Despite multiple attempts to reach out to Garry's representative, Lloyd Pierson, for comments, there was no response.

In the lead-up to his clash with Vicente Luque, Garry found himself entangled in various controversies. Notably, UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland directed harsh criticism toward Garry and his wife, Layla Machado Garry. Strickland labeled Layla a "sexual predator" due to their age difference—Ian is 26, while Layla is 40. Strickland also targeted a satirical 11-page book she authored on marrying a professional athlete, sharing alleged direct messages from Garry threatening legal action.

The roar of the Las Vegas crowd still echoes in Paddy Pimblett's ears. A year ago, at UFC 282, "The Baddy" emerged victorious against Jared Gordon, but the celebrations were muted by the sting of controversy. A razor-thin decision, heated post-fight comments, and accusations of robbery cast a shadow over Pimblett's triumph.

Now, as UFC 296 descends upon the T-Mobile Arena, Pimblett returns from a frustrating year on the sidelines, carrying the weight of unfulfilled promises and simmering public scrutiny. His sights are locked on a different battle cry – redemption. Across the Octagon stands UFC legend Tony Ferguson, "El Cucuy," a weathered warrior whose shadow still looms large over the lightweight division.

Pimblett knows this is more than just a fight. It's a crucible. A chance to silence the critics, rewrite his narrative, and prove that the fiery persona is fueled by something more than bravado. The past year has been an internal storm, a constant replay of missed opportunities and misunderstood intentions. "We're only judged on your last fight," he acknowledges, a hint of frustration lingering in his voice. "I get that. But I never had the chance to set things right."

Ian Garry, a rising star in the UFC's welterweight division, has quickly gained notoriety for his exciting fighting style and outspoken personality. However, recent events have shed light on a darker side to the young fighter, involving acrimonious gym exits, controversial sparring sessions, and public feuds with fellow fighters.

Garry's journey began at Kill Cliff FC, a Florida gym where he trained alongside Brendan Allen. However, their relationship soured after Garry's departure, with Allen criticizing Garry's attitude and persona. Allen accused Garry of being "young," "misled," and "whack," claiming that his overconfidence stemmed from a history of acrimonious exits from gyms. Allen went further, stating he possessed video evidence of dominating Garry in sparring, suggesting that Garry's public persona didn't match his actual skills.