Leon Edwards will next defeat Colby Covington to retain the welterweight title. Kamal Usman of Londonconfirmed by Dana White.
After winning the belt last August with a stunning knockout of “Nigerian Nightmare” Edwards defeated Usman by majority vote to retain world title in home country in Saturday Night’s Battle of the Trilogy.
Covington lost in 2019 and 2021, twice challenged for the belt when it was owned by Usman, and attended the O2 Arena where Edwards scored another win and finished as the undisputed champion at £170. I saw it solidify its position.
The Americans were ready to intervene with either Edwards or Usman withdrawing from the battle on Saturday night, UFC President White says he is next in line to challenge the champion.
“I don’t know when it will be, but it’s a legitimate fight,” White said at a press conference.
“Colby came here to lose weight and did everything to be here for this fight. He deserves the fight.
“It goes without saying that he is the second or third best man in the world.”
Covington last fought in March 2022 with a unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal.
Masvidal himself has a history with Edwards, brawling with the Birmingham fighter backstage at the O2 Arena in 2019, and a fight between the two didn’t materialize last year.
“I don’t know how that makes sense,” Edwards said of the possibility of fighting Covington next.
“He hasn’t fought in over a year.
“He is not injured and out.
“I feel like I’ve walked my own path, so I feel like I need to decide who I’m going to fight next.”
Edwards remains keen to negotiate with Masvidal, but White insists Covington is ahead of him in his bid for the title.
tomorrow : Leon Edwards Defeats Kamaru Usman to Retain Welterweight Title in UFC 286 Trilogy
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