Colby Covington claims Leon Edwards' late father was 'a sex trafficker and drug lord who killed people', as American doubles down on vile press conference jibe with ANOTHER vicious attack ahead of UFC 296 title

Colby Covington has alleged that Leon Edwards' late father was a sex trafficker and drug lord who murdered people, doubling down on his vile press conference remark ahead of UFC 296. 

Footage had emerged of Covington appearing to backtrack at the final face-off, with some claiming he said he was 'in character' when telling Edwards he'd see his father - who was murdered when the Brit was 13 - 'in hell', but now he has gone a step further. 

In an interview with Ag.Fight, Covington went on an extraordinary attack, saying: 'What about all the victims of the harm that Leon's father did to them. He was a sex trafficker, he was a drug lord, he killed people, the guy's a scumbag, why would I feel bad for that, I have no sympathy for that guy. 

'What about all the victims' families who have to live on right now, live through all the things that he did to them, how he tormented those people. 

'So, no I don't feel bad for him, the truth hurts and that's why people hate me, I'm not afraid to say the truth and the truth is what always stings the worst.

'It is what it is, tomorrow night he can do whatever he wants about it, we're going to have 25 minutes. 

'If he wants to do something, punch me in the face, knock me out, come try b****.'

Edwards' father was shot and killed in a London nightclub when the MMA star was a young teen. He has previously said his father was involved in organised crime, telling the Guardian: 'My dad was a gang leader in my area and so I was one of the few kids who had a bicycle and a skateboard. 

'If you consider the cards he was dealt, my dad did the best he could. I know he did wrong, getting involved in crime, and it led to his demise. 

'But he had the smarts to immigrate to the UK and he soon brought his wife and kids to join him for a better life. 

'He didn’t just leave us so he was a good man but, in bad circumstances, he made the wrong choices. But you got to remember that, in Jamaica, killing seemed normal. We were used to gunshots and death all around us.' 

Edwards has never spoken about the specifics of the criminal activity his father was involved in. He was raised by his mother and has previously recalled being told the tragic news about his father when he was a young teen.

He said: 'It was probably like 2am. I was in my room. Mum was in her room. We hear the phone ringing. I heard her crying, and I knew from then something bad, you know. 

'Eventually, she came into my room and just told me this, your dad’s just got killed in London. It was something to do with money. I don't know what exactly. It was some mad s***, but I knew that it could happen.

'It f****d me up. It pushed me more into gang life and crime, toward the negative. My mid-teens were my darkest years.' 

The attack from Covington sparked a furious reaction at the pre-fight press conference on Thursday, with 'Rocky' launching a water bottle at his opponent across the stage. 

On Friday for the ceremonial weigh-ins, he was still seething and issued a chilling warning, saying: 'That man is as good as dead tomorrow. Make sure you keep everything you said about my dad.

'Tomorrow, we can settle it.'

Covington - a Donald Trump-loving pantomime villain - has pushed the boundaries of decency many times and his low blow was roundly criticised by many in the MMA world, including UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland and heavyweight champion Jon Jones. 

But his venomous and personal attacks show no signs of ending just hours ahead of the main event in Las Vegas. 

He has created a poisonous atmosphere and even turned some of his own fans against him, for what he will no doubt justify is greater pay-per-view numbers. 

Edwards will have the chance to channel his rage in the highly-anticipated final major UFC event of the year in T-Mobile Arena.