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Donald Trump invites UFC fighter Colby Covington to debate as special guest

UFC fighter Colby Covington got a unique look at the first presidential debate on Tuesday night.

Covington, a very vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, was one of Trump’s special guests at the debate in Cleveland, Ohio.

Trump also brought his personal attorney, adviser and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and Alice Johnson, a criminal justice reform advocate.

Former Vice President Joe Biden brought Kristin Urquiza — who spoke at the Democratic National Convention — and two Ohio residents, a small business owner and a steelworker, according to NPR.

Colby Covington very active with Trump support

Covington has long been open about his support for Trump.

Earlier this month, Covington gave an unprompted rant about the president after beating Tyron Woodley at UFC Fight Night — one that sounded like a campaign rally and included shots at Biden, LeBron James and other “woke athletes.”

Covington also took a congratulatory call from Trump after that fight, which he did while wearing a red Trump hat live on ESPN.

The top-ranked welterweight contender drew widespread backlash last week when he called Black Live Matter a sham, a joke and “terrorists.” He also went on a tremendously racist rant about Nigerian champion Kamaru Usman, and made references to his “little tribe” and “smoke signals.”

Other fighters and even several sponsors directly or indirectly condemned Covington’s comments.

Covington’s latest behavior is nothing new for him. He’s frequently appearing at Trump rallies, and even visited the president at the White House in 2018. UFC president Dana White is an avid Trump supporter, too, and has let Covington’s and others’ actions go unchecked.

UFC fighter Colby Covington
Colby Covington was one of several special guests that both Donald Trump and Joe Biden invited to the debate in Ohio on Tuesday night. (AP/Julio Cortez)

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