Mixed martial arts fans couldn’t help but notice a peculiar detail during Colby Covington’s entrance at UFC Tampa, where he was accompanied by wrestling icon Hulk Hogan and UFC legend Chael Sonnen.
Behind-the-scenes footage from the locker room revealed Covington thanking Hogan for teaching him how to properly tear a shirt for theatrical effect. However, eagle-eyed viewers quickly spotted that Covington’s shirt was pre-cut, ensuring there wouldn’t be any awkward moments during the dramatic entrance.
The preparation didn’t go unnoticed by social media users, who quickly began poking fun at the staged theatrics. Hogan, famous for his signature shirt-ripping move, had recently performed the same gesture at a Donald Trump rally to energize the crowd.
Covington, known for his vocal support of Trump, wore a Trump chain during the event and proudly waved the American flag during his entrance. The partnership between Covington and Hogan appeared to stem from their shared political views.
The evening also marked a significant change in Covington’s career, as he recruited Sonnen as his head coach. Sonnen delivered an impassioned speech to excite fans before the main event.
However, the night didn’t go as planned for Covington. After sustaining a cut to his right eyelid, the ringside doctor stopped the contest in the third round, awarding the victory to Joaquin Buckley. This marked Covington’s second consecutive loss, raising questions about his future in the promotion.
The pre-cut shirt incident has since become a talking point among fans, overshadowing what was meant to be a dramatic entrance alongside two notable figures in combat sports entertainment.
