Confusion over UFC champion Leon Edwards' next opponent
- Doug Mattushek
- 21 March 2023
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is adamant he should decide who he fights next.
Edwards put on a superlative defensive display to mount his first title defence when he out-pointed Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 in London on Saturday.
Meanwhile, another narrative was forming behind the scenes. Claiming he was flown in on one day's notice, perennial welterweight challenger Colby Covington stole the limelight when he showed up to the weigh-ins and made weight despite not featuring on the fight card.
Aside from being a backup fighter should some disaster happen to Edwards or Usman, it appears it was a shrewd move on the part of the UFC. Covington's presence octagon-side was a hint at UFC overlord Dana White's plans for the division.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, White was under no illusions as to what's next for his champion.
"I don't know when we'll do it but that's the fight that makes sense and Colby came here and cut weight and did everything to be here for this fight," he said of the self professed Donald Trump's favourite fighter.
"He deserves the fight. Not to mention that he s the second or third-best guy in the world."
However, Edwards appears to be having none of it. Speaking on the MMA Hour, the Jamaican-born talent gave a plethora of reasons why a matchup with Covington doesn't work. For starters, the American lost twice to Usman, who Edwards has just bested twice. Edwards even went as far as to say some fighters clearly have 'Dana White privilege' when it comes to their promotion.
"Listen, he ain't getting a title shot next fight," quipped an annoyed Edwards.
"Look at the road I had to take to get there. There's no way you're getting beat twice by the guy that I just beat twice, went out and beat [Jorge] Masvidal, and then sit out for a year and a half, not even tweeting or nothing, just go missing for a year, and then randomly pops up at the weigh-ins and it's like, 'Okay, he's fighting for the title next.' It makes no sense at all, so let's see how it plays out. He has to go out there and earn his way like I had to do.
"Khamzat [Chimaev] and me were calling each other out for years. This is a guy that I got matched up with three times in a row. I took the [Chimaev] fight and [Covington] didn't take the fight and he's getting rewarded for not taking the fight. When it was me, I got removed from the rankings. So 'Dana White privilege' is definitely real."
Aside from a potential clash with rising star Chimaev, Edwards also pointed to Masvidal as a chellenger. However, the American is set for a tough bout against Gilbert Burns, where he will no doubt start as a tremendous underdog.
"There are other active guys in the division... I'm the king now, I've earned my way and should decide who is next," said Edwards at the post-fight press conference.
"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."
