Dana White doubles down on Leon Edwards v Colby Covington: It's a no brainer
- Doug Mattushek
- 27 March 2023
UFC boss Dana White has reiterated that welterweight champion Leon Edwards will have to defend his title against Colby Covington.
In the immediate aftermath following Edwards' masterclass to defeat Kamaru Usman at UFC 286, it was clear that the UFC had placed Covington in pole position for a chance at the title.
The American made weight at the weigh-ins as a backup fighter for the main event then stole some limelight with a killer trash-talking press conference.
White then confirmed that Covington is next in line, but Edwards later claimed he doesn't think he deserves a shot at all and that the champion should have a say on his next opponent.
Speaking to the media after UFC on ESPN 43 on Saturday, White double down on the proposed bout.
"That was a no brainer," he said, as per
mmajunkie.com.
"If Usman doesn't exist Colby's been the champ now for a while. He's been there forever. He cut the weight. He showed up to fill in for that fight and a million other reasons why he deserves that fight.
"I don't blame Leon. Leon just got through Usman twice and now he's looking at another wrestler now with a funky style that's tough to deal with. When you become the champ, everybody's coming after you. All the straight killers are coming after you for the next three times a f**king year, you're faced with nothing but the baddest dudes in the world in your division.
"If you look at Usman and what he did - Usman ran through that division twice. Usman's one of the greatest of all time. Leon just beat him twice. You're the man, Leon. You're the guy. And everyone's coming after you, and it's going to be Colby next."
Part of Edwards' argument is that Covington hasn't fought in over a year since a decsion win over Jorge Masvidal. However, the Floridian has only lost to one opponent in his last 11 fights: Usman.
The UFC's welterweight divsion is set for another shake up when Gilbert Burns takes on Masvidal at UFC 287.
