Colby Covington is a polarizing determine within the UFC welterweight division, has as soon as once more stirred controversy with offensive feedback aimed toward Belal Muhammad, the present division champion who’s Palestinian-American. Covington, recognized for his brash persona and trash speak, accused Muhammad of sporting a “pager on his foot” that allegedly exploded, inflicting him to withdraw from a combat.
Colby Covington on Belal Muhammad
In a current assertion, Covington commented on Muhammad’s withdrawal from his combat, claiming, “I called the UFC when Belal had a pager on his foot, and he backed out ’cause I guess the pager exploded on his ankle and messed up his toe, which is just weird. You guys need to ask Belal why he is wearing a pager around his ankle. That’s just weird.” These phrases, although masked as trash speak, have drawn widespread criticism for his or her Islamophobic implications.
Covington’s remarks can’t be separated from the broader geopolitical context. On September 17, 2024, an incident occurred when pagers distributed to Hezbollah operatives exploded concurrently throughout Lebanon and Syria. The explosion, which resulted in quite a few casualties, was allegedly the work of Israeli intelligence. Whereas Covington’s feedback appear to reference this occasion, they achieve this in a fashion that hyperlinks Muhammad to terrorism, utilizing a stereotype that Muslim people are linked to violence and extremism.
Covington’s conduct isn’t new. All through his profession, he has made headlines for pushing the boundaries of trash speak, usually crossing the road into offensive and hate-filled rhetoric, usually towards black athletes. Nevertheless, this newest incident takes his phrases into harmful territory, invoking Islamophobic stereotypes to make an affordable level.
It’s loopy how Colby Covington can go to a UFC press convention & brazenly name Belal Muhammad a terrorist simply because he’s Muslim & not a single media outlet writes an article about it
“Colby Covington’s remarks against Belal Muhammad reflect a broader pattern of prejudice. In an era where athletes are increasingly using their platforms for social good, Covington’s words stand in stark contrast and perpetuate hatred. Colby Covington lobbies disgusting Islamaphobic attack against Belal Muhammad claiming “he pulled out because a pager exploded on his ankle” Colby is such a shame however this actually highlights his desperation to remain related.”
Colby Covington lobbies disgusting Islamaphobic assault towards Belal Muhammad claiming “he pulled out because a pager exploded on his ankle”
Colby is such a shame however this actually highlights his desperation to remain related pic.twitter.com/Bewu5kv1BW
— MMA Joey (@MMAJOEYC) December 11, 2024
