Leon Edwards isn’t a fan of Dana White‘s latest idea.
The UFC Welterweight Champion successfully defended his title against Kamaru Usman, beating his rival by majority decision. In the aftermath of UFC 286, the UFC president was quick to project Edwards’ next fight, saying it should be #2 contender Colby Covington.
‘Rocky’ Reacts
Edwards wouldn’t approve of this very much.
“I don’t know how that makes sense,” Edwards said at the UFC 286 post-fight press conference. “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’s been active, been fighting, didn’t sit out.
“Like I said, I’m the king now. I’ve earned my way, I feel like I should decide who’s next.”
Despite not fighting since March 2022, Covington would cross the pond to make weight as the official back-up fighter for the welterweight title fight. His services weren’t needed but ‘Chaos’ was also there to make a ruckus and promote himself to another title shot.
Edwards Wants ‘Gamebred’ Instead
While Covington vs. Edwards would most certainly generate a big pay-per-view buzz, the champ has his eyes on another challenger instead, one that he has unfinished business with.
“If Masvidal beats Burns, that’s the fight to make, if you’re going pay-per-view wise… I just don’t see how Colby just sits out for a year not injured and then just sliding for a title shot when I had to win my 12 fights to get there, you know?
“When I was trying to get my title shot, they was like saying, ‘who is he?’ and ‘I don’t know who he is’ and now I’m the king. Now they’re saying like, ‘he’s allowed to just jump the line and just jump straight in’. But like I said, I’m the king now. I’ll decide who’s next.”
Masvidal may very well be who’s next for Edwards, should he beat Gilbert Burns at UFC 287.
“Yeah,” Edwards answered, when asked if Masvidal makes the most sense as an opponent. “I just don’t like him, so I feel like that’s the one I need to get back. I feel like there’s a storyline there to tell. So yeah, if he gets the job done, I’ll have a look. I’ll consider it and if he begs me, then I might let him slide in here.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYnQ8Sl6TpE
