Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley had one thing on his mind during Thursday's press conference at the organization's Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada. The Ferguson, Missouri native answered all 10 media question with a variation of the slogan "Black lives matter."
"Just the fact that black lives matter. I think it's pretty simple," Woodley responded when asked if he supported any specific Black Lives Matter related initiative.
During the presser, Woodley also donned a t-shirt with "Black Lives Matter" written across the front. Topping it all off, he sported a red hat with the phrase "Make racists catch the fade again" printed on it.
"I'm just excited that black lives matter," Woodley said when asked about his upcoming bout against Colby Covington.
His attire and responses run contrary to his those of Covington. Covington regularly wears paraphernalia that supports the current administration and Donald Trump's campaign for re-election. More recently, he publicly criticized the NBA's decision to suspend play in support of Black lives.
"The only race in this fight is the race to get Tyron Woodley out of the UFC," Covington said when asked about Woodley's recent press conference.
Covington's criticisms of the NBA's fight against racial injustice run counter to the sentiments Woodley expressed during an interview just hours before.
"I love what the NBA has done. You see Black Lives Matter on jerseys. You see it on the floor. You see guys represent for the late and great Chadwick [Boseman]. You see people are speaking out, and that's what it's going to take. We can't just sit back. When these greats die, don't let their death go in vain. Carry the torch," Woodley stated.
Covington and Woodley will have a chance to settle their differences inside the ring this Saturday at UFC Vegas 11 at 8 p.m. in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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