Getty Image / Catherine Ivill
Leon Edwards took it to Kamaru Usman at UFC 286, as he defended the belt after winning by decision.
After the brawl, Dana White was quick to name the next contender. However, the welterweight champion wasn’t having any of it.
During the post-fight press conference, the UFC President claims Colby Covington is next in line for the belt. MMA Junkies show the clip of Dana White saying so.
Dana White has every intention of making Leon Edwards against Colby Covington next because Covington "deserves this fight."#UFC286 | Full video: https://t.co/GhPIdqG29B pic.twitter.com/RpxrN2QXA9
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 19, 2023
We should have seen this coming considering the UFC had Covington weigh in and prepare to step in as a backup option in case Leon Edwards or Kamaru Usman could not fight.
Even so, Edwards doesn’t seem to have any interest in taking on Colby Covington due to the fact we haven’t seen him in action for quite some time.
On top of that, Leon Edwards believes he should have a say in who he fights next, per MMA Junkies.
"I don't know how that makes sense": Leon Edwards pushes back on UFC's plan to have him fight Colby Covington next.
"I'm the king now. … I feel like I should decide who’s next."#UFC286 | Full video: https://t.co/GhPIdqG29B pic.twitter.com/hjCfiQp10H
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 19, 2023
Despite what the champ wants, Dana White is likely to win this battle. He seems ready to make a fight announcement between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington soon.
If not, well, some other options could be Belal Muhammad or Gilbert Burns.