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UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards successfully defended the gold against former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 286.
Dana White says that Edwards next title defense will be against former UFC Interim Welterweight Champion Colby Covington.
“I don’t know when we’ll do it, but that’s the fight that makes sense,” White said at the UFC 286 post-fight news conference (transcript via Nolan King of MMA Junkie). “Colby came here and cut weight and did everything to be here for this fight. He deserves the fight, not to mention he’s the second or third best guy in the world.”
Covington, who was the backup for the UFC 286 main event, wants to have his opportunity atbthe gold this July during UFC International Fight Week.
“You could tell he’s been working on that,” Covington said during the UFC 286 broadcast (transcript via Farah Hannoun & Abbey Subhan of MMA Junkie). “It’s been a focal point of his, but he hasn’t fought anybody like me, who can mix up the takedowns and the wrestling in a southpaw. You can tell Usman came out and he fought him southpaw that first round. You could tell he was having a lot of trouble. He didn’t like that. Leon Scott is very good when he’s fighting guys who are orthodox. He has his left kick and his left hand. That’s his favorite punch and his favorite kick. Now, he’s going to fight a guy who’s going to be in his face, a southpaw. Styles make fights and I’m going to finish him on home soil in America, hopefully, International Fight Week in July. Let’s get this going.”
Edwards doesn't understand why Covington, who has already failed in two previous attempts to capture the UFC Welterweight Title, is getting another shot at the gold.
“I don’t know how that makes sense,” Edwards said at the UFC 286 post-fight news conference (transcript via Farah Hannoun & Abbey Subhan of MMA Junkie). “He hasn’t fought for over a year-and-a-half. Sat out. Not injured. I don’t get how he just slides in for the world title shot when there’s other guys in the division that have been active and fighting. Didn’t sit out. I’m the king now. I’ve earned my way, so I feel like I should decide who’s next.”
