Colby Covington reports he’s ‘COVID free’ after meeting with President Trump last week

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Colby Covington is happy to report he’s tested negative for the coronavirus.

The former interim welterweight champion on Saturday released a statement after undergoing COVID-19 testing in the wake of his attendance at the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was in close proximity to President Donald Trump.

Just days after the debate, Trump revealed he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 before being admitted to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he’s being treated by doctors. Numerous people in Trump’s inner circle including his press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, as well as communications director Hope Hicks have also tested positive for COVID-19.

Trump announced he is being released from Walter Reed military hospital on Monday. It’s unknown when exactly he contracted the virus, which is why just about anybody and everybody who had interactions with the president in recent days has been undergoing testing.

While the virus can take several days to appear on a test, Covington says he has tested negative several times as he sent a message of support to Trump.

“For the people who constantly slander my name, but are all of a sudden concerned with my health and well being: I’m COVID free,” Covington wrote on Instagram. “I’ve been tested 7 times in the past 3 weeks, including prior to and after meeting with the POTUS. I was also tested during fight week, as well as before and after the debate. ALL NEGATIVE.

“Speaking of ALL NEGATIVE, how about all the slime in Hollywood and woke sports wishing harm on a 74 year old grandfather!?! How tolerant! Unfortunately for them and fortunately for America, Donald Trump is a fighter!!!”

Covington has become close friends with Trump and his family in recent years after essentially campaigning for the president during all of his interviews as well as before his fights in the UFC.

Ahead of his win over Tyron Woodley in Las Vegas, Covington attended a Trump rally in Nevada where he met with the president while also enjoying a front row seat to the festivities. Covington then traveled to Ohio where he sat with Trump’s family and advisors as he debated Democratic candidate Joe Biden for the first time.

A presidential rally was actually expected to be held at the American Top Team facility in Florida where Covington previously trained, but that was canceled in the wake of the news that Trump had tested positive for COVID-19.