EXCLUSIVE | Colby Covington says he’s already received death threats from Brazilian “favela leader”

Shortly after his October defeat of Demian Maia in Sao Paulo, Brazil, welterweight contender Colby Covington went off on an ant-Brazil tirade, referring to the country as “a dump” and its people as “filthy animals.”

Needless to say, Covington is not exactly loved in Brazil. All the same, he’ll head back to the country this May 12, where he’ll battle Rio de Janeiro’s own Rafael dos Anjos for interim welterweight gold in the co-main event of UFC 224.

Though Covington recognizes the danger of his upcoming trip to Brazil, he said there was never any hesitation to accept the fight with dos Anjos. All of the necessary precautions will be taken.

“There was no hesitation,” Covington said on BJ Penn Radio this week. “[Safety] was the first thing we talked about, before we even talked about the deal and the terms and the money. We talked about private security, secret service level security, being at a private hotel, being away from the fighters, not doing open workouts, not doing anything where it’s going to put me in danger in an open area where some Brazilians could come attack me.”

Covington then divulged that he’s already received death threats from a slumlord in the country.

“I’ve had a lot of messages from some favela leader, Marcio, that has a bounty on my head and said that he’s going to murder me before I make it to the Octagon,” he said. “So, I had to make that aware to the UFC, and make sure they get the right security and take the right precautions for my safety.”

Given the circumstances, Colby Covington reiterated that he will require special, private security. In his opinion, Brazilian police just won’t suffice.

“The Brazilian police are just as corrupt,” he said. “Just like I said, that place is a dump. All those filthy animals… The Brazilian police, they’re looking to [fill] their pockets. If somebody’s going to give them a little extra money they’re going to be quiet about it.”

“There will be a ‘Chaos’ secret service, I got my security team on deck, and they’re going to follow me everywhere I go,” he added. “I’m not going to be visible to any eyes, I’m going to be private wth everything I do… The only time you’re going to see me is in that Octagon. You’re not going to see me at the UFC events. I’m not coming there to talk or be friendly with anybody. I’m the super villain of the UFC now. They just got the biggest super villain all you nerds read about in comic books.”

“No one’s got the big set of balls that I got. Like I said, they had to get two plane tickets. I feel sorry for the UFC, all the money they’re gonna be spending on security and for my extra flight for my big set of balls. But there’s no doubt about it. I’m going into uncharted territory and no one would do what I’m doing, going back to Brazil when I’ve gotten as many death threats as I’ve gotten.”

Do you think Colby Covington can take out Rafael dos Anjos behind enemy lines?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 4/4/2018.