Colby Covington is open to fighting Leon Edwards for the welterweight title during International Fight Week at UFC 290, which may also host the heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.
Colby Covington is gearing up to fight Leon Edwards for the welterweight title and hopes it takes place during International Fight Week at UFC 290. This event is rumored to host the heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. Following UFC 286, UFC President Dana White named Covington, who had weighed in as a backup for Edwards’ title defense against Kamaru Usman, as the No. 1 contender for the 170-pound title. White reaffirmed this sentiment after UFC San Antonio.
Covington and Jones have had a contentious history, so if both title fights are scheduled for UFC 290, “Chaos” predicts it will generate a lot of buzz. Covington told MMA Fighting, “I think now, with the way that it’s shaping up, International Fight Week is the biggest scene, the biggest spectacle, and they’re talking about Jon Jones and Stipe [Miocic] — who doesn’t want to see me on a stage with my old buddy, old pal, Jon Jones? Do you know how funny that would be on stage at the press conference? It’s perfect. It’s money.”
Covington’s last fight was in March 2022, when he defeated Jorge Masvidal in the main event of UFC 272. When asked if he would be okay with being the co-main event to the potential Jones vs. Miocic heavyweight championship, Covington expressed his flexibility, saying, “The UFC knows I’m cool with whatever — co-headliner, main event, whatever they want me to do. I’m the ultimate businessman. I show up, I make weight, I don’t miss weight… I’ll be ready. If they want me to co-main event [UFC 290], I’ll co-main event International Fight Week. Whatever they want. If they want June, August, May, April, whatever the UFC wants. I’ll leave that up to the big bosses because they decide.”
Although Edwards has shown little interest in fighting Covington next, White seems determined to make it happen. Covington is prepared for any scenario, stating, “It’s what I’m preparing for, but everybody knows by now that I stay ready on a moment’s notice. It could be in Miami — I hope the main event [for UFC 287] falls through, I’ll [headline that] pay-per-view. I am the king of Miami so I do need to show up. But I stay ready, I was ready to fight [at UFC 286] on a moment’s notice, either guy — it didn’t matter because I know I’m the best in the world so I could fight either style. It doesn’t matter, I’ll be ready whenever.”