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Colby Covington Claims ‘Filthy Animals’ Rant in Brazil Saved UFC Career

According to Colby Covington, he wasn’t even on the UFC’s radar heading into his showdown with Demian Maia in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Oct. 28, 2017.

Despite being 7-1 during his Octagon tenure up to that point, Covington wasn’t exactly a well-known commodity in the sport. As a result, it wasn’t a guarantee that the Las Vegas-based promotion would re-sign him after he fulfilled his contract against Maia.

He claims that changed following his infamous post-fight interview in Sao Paulo, where he drew the wrath of the Brazilian crowd by calling them “filthy animals” and their country a “dump.