UFC champion Alexandre Pantoja explains why 'everybody wants to kill' Colby Covington, having trained with controversial American's old team-mates ahead of UFC 296

'Everybody wants to kill Colby Covington', according to UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja - who trains with some of the American's old team-mates. 

The controversial character burnt bridges with his old team and his feud with Jorge Masvidal, which ended up in court following an alleged sucker punch in a Miami restaurant, is well publicised. 

Pantoja is now at American Top Team in Florida and revealed to the Trocação Franca podcast: 'Everybody wants to kill him there. I don’t care, brother. I walk my path. I know everything he says is pure marketing. 

'I work with [ATT boxing coach] Gabriel de Oliveira and Gabriel is a person I respect a lot, and he says [Covington] has always respected him. 

'To me, you earn points if you treat well someone I like,' he conceded.

Pantoja is defending his title against Brandon Royval on the card headlined by Covington and Leon Edwards at UFC 296 next Saturday. 

Asked whether he will be cordial to 'Chaos' during fight week, the 33-year-old said: 'I don’t care. I was born in Copacabana and we are disgusting towards everybody [laughs]. 

'There’s an artist right next to you and you don’t care. I respect him a lot as an athlete, but in a way I’m more connected to Leon Edwards because of his life story and everything he’s done. 

'Leon Edwards is definitely someone I would go out of my way to shake hands and wish him a good fight, say I’m a big fan his work. Now, about that a******, I won’t say anything. Leave him alone [laughs].'

Covington began his transition into the pantomime villain in Pantoja's native Brazil when he insulted the home fans, calling them 'filthy animals'. 

And Pantoja believes the fame that has followed on his current trajectory has changed him. 

He went on: 'I think he’s one of those person that let fame change his character. The thing is you can’t character, but he let out all that stuff of talking badly about a country and whatnot and kept it going, and he’s lost a lot with that. 

'It’s not a good idea to leave American Top Team. With all due respect to other teams, I’ve been part of a few, but American Top Team was the best fit for me. 

'It’s such an incredible structure and so many great training partners.'