Leon Edwards will defend title against Colby Covington next after trilogy win over Kamaru Usman, confirms Dana White
DANA WHITE has named Colby Covington as the next man in line for Leon Edwards’ welterweight title.
Britain’s Edwards defended the strap in an immediate rematch against Kamaru Usman, six months after his head kick knockout.
He emerged as a points victor at the O2 Arena in front of Covington, who weighed in as the back-up opponent.
And UFC president White revealed the American bad-boy will fight for Edwards’ title next.
He said: “That’s the fight that makes sense, Colby came over here, cut weight and did everything to be here for this fight.
“He deserves the fight. Not to mention that he’s the second or third best guy in the world.”
Covington, 35, has not fought since March 2022 when he defeated friend-turned bitter rival Jorge Masvidal, 37, on points.
It was Masvidal was infamously attacked Edwards, 30, backstage at UFC London in 2019, fuelling a feud between the pair.
The ex-title challenger returns against Gilbert Burns, 36, next month as Edwards has his eyes on settling an old score.
He said: “I don’t know how Colby makes sense. He hasn’t fought for more than a year and half.
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“There are other active guys in the division. I’m the king now, I’ve earned my way and should decide who is next.
“Pay-per-view wise if Jorge Masvidal beats Gilbert Burns, that’s the fight to make.
“I had to fight 12 times for a title shot and he said he didn’t know who I was.
“I’m the king, I’ll decide who is next. Masvidal, I don’t like him so that’s the one I want. I think it would be an easy fight for me, he’s a weirdo.”
