Chael Sonnen thinks it’s pretty fair that Colby Covington is getting the next title shot.
After Leon Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman in the trilogy at UFC 286, Dana White announced Covington would get the next title shot. Many fans, media, fighters, and even Edwards didn’t think Covington deserved the shot. Yet, Sonnen thinks it was pretty clear that ‘Chaos’ was next in line and should be fighting for UFC gold next time out.
“No, I haven’t talked to Colby. I knew the news that he was going to be the backup fighter and he was going in there and I kept that one quiet, right as I don’t think very many people knew, they were able to keep that a secret. I have been disgusted at the resistance towards the idea that Colby would fight for the championship,” Sonnen said to Helen Yee. “He is the number one contender, he has been the number one contender for three years.
“We are not arguing that because he is the backup fighter he gets the shot, he had the shot,” Sonnen added. “When Leon came in and got an opportunity against Kamaru Usman, Leon leapfrogged Colby, just to remind you in the rankings. Colby is the number-one contender, it’s always been Colby, everyone knows that, he couldn’t get in because of Kamaru. Kamaru’s out, Colby goes back. This is obvious.”
Sonnen Expects Covington To Beat Edwards
As of right now, Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington hasn’t been made. but, the plan is for it to happen in July in London.
It’s an intriguing matchup and one Chael Sonnen thinks Colby Covington has all the tools to defeat Leon Edwards. Although Edwards showed off good takedown defense against Usman, Sonnen thinks Covington being hungry to get the belt will propel him to get the win.
“Oh yes. I would not underestimate Leon Edwards, I think one of the reasons why Leon was able to beat Kamaru is he just wanted it, he wanted it so bad,” Sonnen said. “As much as Kamaru thinks he wants it, it’s hard. When you already climbed a mountain and you climbed it again and again, how many times do you really want to do it again? I think that Leon as a challenger had a real opportunity there to be hungry and go out and prove something. I will just remind you it’s that exact same ingredient that now is on Colby Covington’s side.”
Covington is currently ranked second at welterweight and has not fought since March of 2022 when he beat Jorge Masvidal by decision, but Sonnen thinks that cements him as the top contender.
