Colby Covington is set to face champion Leon Edwards next, and if Edwards declines to take on Covington, Covington says that the fight promotion will ‘strip’ Edwards of the belt.
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Colby Covington will face the champion Leon Edwards next, after flying to England as backup for the two-time title challenger. Covington weighed in for the Edwards and Kamaru Usman Trilogy Bout at UFC 285 in London on March 18, and the fight has been established as taking place in the summer in England. If Edwards declines the fight, Covington says the promotion will strip Edwards of the title.
Covington has been outspoken about Edwards, accusing him of being afraid to fight him and dismissing his position as a “placeholder” champion who is unwilling to take on challengers. Covington has expressed confidence in his abilities and predicted that he would beat Edwards, forcing him back to the preliminary rounds to fight Jorge Masvidal.
After meeting with UFC leadership in Miami, Covington stated that he is confident that the fight will take place this summer, and that if Edwards won’t accept the matchup, he will be stripped of his title. White has been firm in his stance that Covington will fight Edwards for the title next, and has threatened to “attack” media who attempt to instigate drama between fighters.
Covington’s confidence extended to his ability to influence the UFC leadership, saying that he had taken them out in Miami as the “king of Miami”. Covington’s trash talk has created a great deal of media buzz, with fans eagerly anticipating the summer matchup between Covington and Edwards, where the two champions will face off for ultimate supremacy.