In a fiery and impassioned speech, UFC legend Colby Covington did not mince words as he criticized basketball star LeBron James for what he sees as an anti-American attitude. Covington’s scathing remarks have ignited a heated debate about patriotism and respect for our nation’s values.

The incident that sparked Covington’s outrage occurred during a USC Trojans basketball game, where LeBron James, in attendance to support his son, chose not to stand during the National Anthem. Instead, he sat with his hat on, a move that many interpreted as a deliberate act of disrespect towards the flag and anthem. Watch the video here to see the moment for yourself.

Covington seized the opportunity to address this issue during the UFC 296 media day. After initially fielding questions from reporters, he returned to the podium to deliver a blistering critique of LeBron James. He declared, “If you hate America so much and hold such disdain for the country that has allowed you to amass a fortune, then you have a choice: leave it, or face the consequences. LeBron, you’ve sent jobs overseas to sweatshops, exploiting laborers and paying women mere pennies on the dollar to boost your own wealth. You’re a disgrace, LeBron James – a coward and a spineless one at that.” Witness Covington’s passionate words here.

This isn’t the first time Covington has taken LeBron to task. In a 2022 event, he went as far as calling LeBron a “spineless coward.” Covington’s outspokenness extends to his disdain for cancel culture. He stated, “Tonight is street Judas’ last supper. Tomorrow, I’m sending him to the electric chair, and I’ll electrify the T-Mobile Arena like it’s never been before. But before I go, I want to express my gratitude to the real heroes and celebrities in this country – our law enforcement, our military, and our first responders. God bless you all, and God bless America.”

Covington also didn’t hold back after defeating former NBA player Nate Robinson, declaring, “Heard they finally scraped Nate Robinson’s carcass off the floor. I’d make LeBron James eat the canvas in half the time. NBA players are among the softest and most privileged athletes out there.”

Responding to doubters who questioned his ability to take on the larger-than-life LeBron, Covington didn’t mince words: “The same people who doubt me are the ones who wear masks alone in their cars and believe that political figures like Joe Biden set vote records when they can’t even gather a dozen supporters in a parking lot. These people are delusional fools.”

In addition to his vocal disapproval of LeBron, Covington is an avid supporter of former President Donald Trump. During the same UFC 296 event, Covington expressed his desire for Trump to present him with the championship belt if he emerges victorious. He praised Trump, saying, “I’m politely and respectfully asking Dana to step aside and allow my favorite person and the greatest American alive, number 45, Mr. Donald Trump, to place that belt around my waist. Then, I’ll return the favor by placing it back around Donald’s waist because he’s the true champion of the people, the greatest President in American history.”

Covington’s comments have ignited a passionate debate about respect for America and its values, and they have certainly thrust him into the spotlight. The question remains: Is this a much-needed critique of a prominent athlete, or is it an example of political division seeping into the world of sports? The answer may vary depending on one’s perspective.

As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: Colby Covington’s words have sparked a fiery conversation about the intersection of sports, politics, and patriotism in America.