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 discuss, accused Muhammad of sporting a “pager on his foot” that allegedly exploded, inflicting him to withdraw from a struggle.
Colby Covington on Belal Muhammad
In a latest assertion, Covington commented on Muhammad’s withdrawal from his struggle, claiming, “I known as the UFC when Belal had a pager on his foot, and he backed out ’trigger I assume the pager exploded on his ankle and tousled his toe, which is simply bizarre. You guys have to ask Belal why he’s sporting a pager round his ankle. That’s simply bizarre.” These phrases, although masked as trash discuss, 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 accomplish that in a fashion that hyperlinks Muhammad to terrorism, utilizing a stereotype that Muslim people are linked to violence and extremism.
Covington’s habits is just not new. All through his profession, he has made headlines for pushing the boundaries of trash discuss, typically crossing the road into offensive and hate-filled rhetoric, typically towards black athletes. Nevertheless, this newest incident takes his phrases into harmful territory, invoking Islamophobic stereotypes to make an inexpensive 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 towards Belal Muhammad replicate a broader sample of prejudice. In an period the place athletes are more and more utilizing their platforms for social good, Covington’s phrases stand in stark distinction and perpetuate hatred. Colby Covington lobbies disgusting Islamaphobic assault towards Belal Muhammad claiming “he pulled out as a result of a pager exploded on his ankle” Colby is such a shame however this actually highlights his desperation to remain related.”
