Dana White reacts after Leon Edwards claims he won’t fight Colby Covington next for the second defense of his welterweight title.
After Edwards closed the chapter on his saga with Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 in London, White confirmed post-fight that Covington is the next in line to challenge the Brit for his title. Given Covington’s lack of activity, Edwards was surprised by White’s statement, as opposed to worthy challengers such as Belal Muhammad.
“I definitely have a say,” Leon Edwards said on The MMA Hour. “Listen, he ain’t getting a title shot next, right. 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, ‘OK, 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.”
Dana White Responds to Leon Edwards Comments
After last night’s UFC San Antonio’s main event concluded, White was asked for further confirmation if Covington would be next and was asked to address Edwards’ comments:
“Listen, it’s not like I’m a big, ‘Oh Colby.’ – Colby Covington deserves this shot at the title,” White told reporters at tonight’s post-fight press conference (h/t MMAJunkie). “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*cking year, you’re faced with nothing but the baddest dudes in the world in your division.”
White continued:
“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.”
Do you think Leon Edwards will shift his mindset and accept the fight with Colby Covington next? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images and Embed from Getty Images
