Dana White: Colby Covington gets next title shot against Leon Edwards ‘no matter what happens’

Colby Covington will get the subsequent crack at Leon Edwards and the UFC welterweight title.

That’s in line with Dana White, who confirmed that the two-time title challenger would get one other likelihood at changing into champion after he flew to the UK to function the backup fighter for the UFC 286 most important occasion between Edwards and Kamaru Usman. Covington has already known as for the combat to occur in July as a part of the UFC’s annual Worldwide Combat Week festivities that culminates with UFC 290 in Las Vegas however White wasn’t fairly able to decide to that date simply but.

“I don’t know after we’ll do it however that’s the combat that is smart and Colby got here right here and reduce weight and did the whole lot to be right here for this combat,” White stated when addressing Covington.

“He deserves the combat. To not point out that he’s the second- or third-best man on the earth.”

Covington hasn’t fought since March 2022 when he earned a unanimous resolution victory over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272.

Following that win, Covington was allegedly attacked by Masvidal throughout an incident outdoors a restaurant in Miami Seashore, Fla. that led to the UFC’s first and solely “BMF” champion being arrested. Whereas Masvidal nonetheless faces prices stemming from that incident, he’s already booked his subsequent combat in opposition to Gilbert Burns within the UFC 287 co-main occasion.

As for Covington, he has remained on the sidelines and he’s largely stayed out of the highlight till his sudden look to again up the UFC 286 most important occasion on Saturday.

Whereas there are different potential challengers out there together with Belal Muhammad on a nine-fight unbeaten streak, White remained adamant that Covington is subsequent.

Even with the rivalry between Masvidal and Edwards after they bought right into a backstage combat at a UFC London occasion in 2019, White is sticking by Covington because the No. 1 contender.

“Colby will get the subsequent shot,” White stated. “It doesn’t matter what occurs [with Burns vs. Masvidal].”

The identical goes for UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev, who immediately expressed curiosity in difficult Edwards in October when the promotion returns to Abu Dhabi. White rapidly shot down that concept as effectively whereas repeating himself but once more that Covington will face Edwards subsequent.

“Colby’s subsequent,” White stated. “We’re going again to Abu Dhabi on Oct. 21 nevertheless it undoubtedly received’t be Leon and [Makhachev].”

Clearly, Covington seems to be the one particular person White will take into account for a title shot, though it stays to be seen when he may truly face Edwards after the reigning UFC welterweight champion fought 5 arduous rounds in opposition to Usman on Saturday.