As MMA gains mainstream popularity, fighters are increasingly seen as pop culture figures, drawing attention from actors, musicians, and influencers. UFC fighters often find themselves crossing paths with celebrities, which often generates buzz, especially when rumors or flirtations emerge. Some fighters actively seek out celebrity connections to boost their fame, while others find themselves in the spotlight simply due to their rising stardom. Whether genuine or staged, these moments highlight the UFC’s growing influence beyond the Octagon
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington, known for his polarizing persona, recently shared an unexpected message he received from actress Megan Fox. During a live stream with Neon, an influencer on the streaming platform Kick, Covington claims that Fox reached out to him after one of his fights, expressing admiration for his “bad guy” image in the UFC.
In the interview, Covington recounted the moment, stating, “Dude, my whole life, the baddest b—, I always thought it was Megan Fox… She messaged me, dude. She was just like, ‘Colby, you’re my favorite UFC bad guy.”
He proceeded to read the full message aloud, which included Fox’s acknowledgment of the challenges in maintaining such a persona, saying, “It’s probably hard to keep that character all the time when you are naturally a more sensitive, sweet person. It’s worth it.”
This revelation comes in the wake of Fox’s split from musician Machine Gun Kelly.
Fox’s message to Covington isn’t her first interaction with UFC fighters. Previously, she reached out to former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, addressing his transphobic comments about her children and MGK’s fashion choices.
Despite his notoriety outside the cage, Covington has faced recent struggles inside the Octagon. Once a top contender and interim champion, Covington has lost four of his last six fights against Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards, and Joaquin Buckley. His most recent loss against Buckley at UFC Fight Night in Tampa, Florida, ended in a TKO loss, sparking criticism over his performance.
Covington also turned heads as he was involved in an altercation with Paddy Pimblett after his win against Michael Chandler this past weekend at UFC 314. As the welterweight division continues to evolve, Covington’s future in the UFC remains uncertain.
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