You’ve probably heard of the brilliant yet dangerous Yagami Light from Death Note—a vigilante who transformed into one of the most feared figures in Japan. But did you know that there are real-life figures within the UFC whose villain origin stories could rival anything from the world of anime? One of the most notable is former interim 170lbs champ Colby Covington, who boldly declared, “I’m the supervillain of this division. I’m the supervillain of the whole UFC,” during an interview with MMA Weekly back in 2018.

Covington’s journey to becoming the UFC’s most polarizing figure didn’t happen overnight. It was a calculated transformation that began with his decision to embrace controversy. Before he became infamous, Covington was known for his wrestling skills and competitive edge. But in 2017, something changed as Colby made the bold move to amp up his persona—turning himself into a trash-talking, unapologetic antagonist. It struck when he won the interim welterweight title at UFC 224 in 2018. While his victory was a significant achievement, it was his post-fight behavior that solidified his status as “the most hated man in the UFC.”

Why is Colby Covington hated so much?

Hate is a strong word, but it seems to suit Colby Covington just fine. Mind you! This is the same man behind the America’s Champions Foundation, which offers support to military veterans and first responders. Yet, despite these positive contributions, Covington embraces the villain role like a badge of honor. He’s made enemies far and wide, from enraging an entire country (Brazil) to irking Leon Edwards and the entire 170-pound division, even inciting heavyweight fighters like Fabricio Werdum to attack him with a boomerang!

And it’s not just limited to fighters—Covington has ruffled the feathers of entire fanbases, including Marvel and Star Wars fans when he spoiled Avengers: Infinity War and Star Wars: The Last Jedi on X.

“I’m good for business and I’m the supervillain of this division. I’m the supervillain of the entire UFC,” Covington declared to MMA Weekly, fully aware of the chaos he’s created. “They’re starting to realize my worth. I’m the most notable fighter right now. Everybody wants to watch me. Whether they want to see me lose or win, it’s all the same f***ing thing.”

So, who is Colby Covington? He’s the brawl-starting, trash-talking fighter who fans love to hate. But how did he get here? Simple: he decided to talk. His rise to fame wasn’t just about his skills or his wins inside the Octagon—it was about creating a persona so controversial, so unrelenting, that everyone had an opinion about him. And that’s exactly what Covington wanted.

Covington’s evolution to becoming public enemy #1

From a very young age, Colby Covington was obsessed with fighting. He idolized the legendary Ric Flair for his iconic trash talk and catchphrases. At just five years old, little ‘Chaos’ was already determined to become the best MMA fighter. His passion and drive were evident early on, and by high school, Covington was racking up titles—from state championships to national accolades.

After graduating from Oregon State, his talent was noticed by Dan Lambert, the owner of American Top Team (ATT), who invited him to Florida to train in MMA. Covington’s natural ability shone through so brightly that he turned pro just one year after starting his training. He quickly made a name for himself, winning six of his first seven fights in the UFC.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. After defeating Dong Hyun Kim in June 2017, Covington received some shocking news. Lambert revealed that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby had informed him that the promotion wasn’t planning on re-signing Covington. “I was destroying everybody, and they told me they weren’t going to re-sign me, they had no use for me,” Covington recalled to ESPN. “That was when I was just like, ‘You know what, f*** it.'”

This moment marked a turning point in Covington’s career. He had been grinding away, dominating his competition, only to be told by the UFC that he wasn’t valuable enough to keep around. That rejection fueled a fire inside him, sparking the creation of the loud, controversial persona that would go on to make him one of the most talked-about fighters in the sport. The “supervillain” of the UFC was born.

Determined to carve out his place in the UFC, he realized that simply being a great fighter wasn’t enough. Covington began studying the greats who had mastered the art of mental warfare, fighters who could get under their opponents’ skin with their sharp tongues. Chael Sonnen was a major inspiration for him, someone who had used trash talk and controversy to elevate his status.

Reflecting on his epiphany, Covington said, “That’s when it started to click in my mind and the wheels started turning.” He knew that if he wanted to be more than just a fighter, he had to embrace the power of words and create a persona that would make him impossible to ignore.

Covington and a piece of his ‘tongue’

Since then, Colby Covington fully embraced his role as the villain, donning a MAGA hat, and sunglasses, and even carrying Trump Jr.’s book, amplifying his controversial persona. His crucial win over Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 119 marked a pivotal moment in his career, and Covington was ready to change the narrative. After the victory, in front of a hostile São Paulo crowd, Covington took his trash-talking to new heights.

During his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier, he made headlines with his inflammatory words, “Brazil, you’re a dump! All you filthy animals suck! I got one thing to say, Tyron Woodley, I’m coming for you! If you don’t answer the front door, I’m gonna knock it in and I’m gonna take what’s mine, that welterweight belt!”

This was Covington’s true rebirth as a villain, and he began to lean into both political rhetoric and relentless jabs at his opponents. His comments about Brazilians sparked outrage, even leading to death threats. But Covington didn’t shy away. He doubled down on his persona, pushing boundaries and finding ways to stay in the spotlight. His trash-talking even reached new lows when he insulted Leon Edwards ahead of their UFC 296 clash, saying, “I’m bringing you to the seventh layer of hell. We’ll say ‘what’s up’ to your dad while we’re there.” Edwards’ father had tragically passed away when Leon was just 13, a remark that many considered crossing the line.

While many view Covington’s antics as a calculated move to boost PPV sales and remain in the limelight, it raises the question: Is he truly the villain he portrays, or is this all part of a larger strategy? As he gears up for a fight with Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa, the question remains—could his performance in the Octagon help shift public perception of him? Will fans begin to see beyond the trash talk and focus on his fighting skills, or will Covington forever remain the most polarizing figure in the UFC?