Colby Covington, who filmed himself helping a seemingly ‘homeless’ person, is being called out for using the underprivileged to up his PR game. In the video streamed on Twitch, Colby was seen providing some food, water and a sweater to the man, while wishing him a “Happy New Year”.
Colby Covington was seen feeding the homeless on his Twitch stream and wishing them a happy new year. (via @ColbyCovMMA) pic.twitter.com/pOSzjjdf9D
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 3, 2025
Fans were quick to point out that Colby should have done this without recording and sharing it to advertise his generosity. “Tryna improve his public image,” commented one fan.
Because it's just not a good deed unless it's filmed, edited and uploaded for all to see the sincerity of it.
— James (@james3211110469) January 4, 2025
Another fan put it succinctly, saying, “This is great don’t get me wrong, but when it’s truly from the heart, you don’t need to film these things. The real ones do things in silence… We live in a look at me society today. Sad.”
One follower attributed the behavior to his lack of wins inside the octagon: “Can’t gain aura from his fights anymore so guess bro had to pivot.”
He has to record himself doing this now that he has become washed as a fighter.
— Shoaib Ansari (@ashoaib053) January 4, 2025
“‘Was seen’ yes. That’s what happens when you film yourself,” wrote a fan.
However, some still believed in Covington, with one user writing, “I wish he didn’t put the di*khead persona on because he’s a nice guy behind it all”.
I wish he didn’t put the dickhead persona on because he’s a nice guy behind it all
— Eric Kidd (@itskidd1999) January 3, 2025
Regardless of how it is being perceived, this act is still much better than what Michael Chandler did when a supposedly homeless man asked him for advice on how to turn his life around.
When Chandler advised a ‘homeless’ person
To say Chandler’s reply was insensitive would be a gross understatement. His comment, “First step: Stand up and be thankful you have feet,” invited much ire at the time.
First step: Stand up and be thankful you have feet. https://t.co/PiaafEGDxx
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) November 5, 2024
Chandler’s advice didn’t stop at how the homeless person could help themselves. When another man asked him what he should do about his racially abusive neighbor, the former Bellator champion advised “silence”.
Say nothing. Silence is the best comeback.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) November 5, 2024
This triggered a barrage of jokes in the comments section. Some people asked, what he would advise next and wrote: “Mike, what’s step 2?” Others offered even simpler solutions for homelessness and commented sarcastically: “If you are homeless, just buy a house. Yes its very simple! You’re welcome”.
If things were that easy as maintaining silence, then Chandler would have been able to do better about that Conor McGregor fight he’s been waiting for. It’s been more than two years now.