Soon after celebrating his next victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286, Leon Edwards had minor opportunity of leaving the octagon ahead of listening to news that his following opponent experienced previously been picked.
At the post-combat press meeting, UFC President Dana White declared Colby Covington to be the new No. 1 contender in the welterweight division soon after traveling to England to provide as backup for the primary party. The last time Covington fought was in March 2022, when he defeat Jorge Masvidal in a unanimous conclusion victory about him, providing him a report of 2 wins and 2 losses in his very last 4 fights.
Immediately after hearing the information, Edwards was dismayed that Covington would place a crack in his title, specially immediately after his very long absence and absence of activity more than the previous yr.
“I you should not know how that would make feeling,” stated Edwards. “He hasn’t fought in more than a yr and a 50 %. I you should not have an understanding of how it slips in.
“Like I reported, I’m the king now. I’ve gained my way. I believe you need to determine who’s following.”
In a excellent globe, Edwards would like to settle an aged grudge with Jorge Masvidal, who will get on Gilbert Burns in a co-primary party at UFC 287 in April.
Edwards’ record with Masvidal dates again to 2019 when equally welterweights took victories on the UFC card in London. In Masvidal’s put up-match job interview, Edwards yelled a thing at him about placing up a probable battle between them.
Masvidal ended up leaving the job interview to confront Edwards, but a punch was thrown as safety rushed to individual the combatants ahead of a brawl broke out backstage. Given that that time, Edwards has aimed to struggle Masvidal, but the UFC has not selected to ebook the struggle.
Now a winner, Edwards thinks a gain around Barnes at UFC 287 would be a good prospect to avenge a well known attract at Masvidal. shot.
“If I go pay out-for each-look at, I am going to go if Masvidal beats Barnes. That is the sport,” Edwards said. “If you’re heading for shell out-for each-view, when Colby misses a calendar year with out injuries and then I experienced to get 12 online games to get there. , I will not know how to slide in for the title shot.
“When I was making an attempt to shoot for the title, they had been often expressing who he was. Now he is permitted to leap in excess of the line and bounce straight in? Like I said. , I am the king now, and I will come to a decision upcoming.”
On paper, Masvidal possibly has a no-contest on his record from past matchups with Edwards, although a a lot more worthy fighter like Belal Muhammad, who is presently driving a 9-fight undefeated streak. I have not done plenty of to justify a title shot from the device.
That stated, Masvidal has a past with Edwards, which may possibly support him leapfrog the competitiveness.
“I just don’t like it [Masvidal] “So I feel like which is one thing I will need to get back,” Edwards claimed. I am going to appear into it, and if he asks me, I may slip him in below.
“For him, I really don’t like him. I think he is unusual. I will not know what to say about him. The only motive I give him a shot is mainly because I like him.” I believe it will be an uncomplicated struggle for me and that’s it, he’s just a weirdo.”
Edwards understands that a fight with Masvidal would offer very easily, taking into consideration the discord and footage of that backstage altercation, especially if the UFC is hunting to make a fork out-per-look at close to them.
In accordance to Edwards, the similar can’t be claimed for a opportunity struggle with Covington. Covington may well convey to a ton of nonsense to get his consideration, but finally there is certainly no rivalry there.
“The fight has a story [against Masvidal]claimed Edwards. “The Colby combat pretty much has no storyline. The person sat for a year and then slipped into the title shot. It truly is weird.”
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