Ever since reigning UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards solidified his reign with the primary protection of his title, the talk surrounding his second challenger has raged on.
Within the fast aftermath of Edwards’ second victory over Kamaru Usman, a majority determination triumph at the London-held UFC 286 pay-per-view this past March, the occasion’s principal occasion backup fighter, Colby Covington, was lined up for the spot.
That call, which was firmly put forth by UFC President Dana White, got here despite “Chaos” falling quick in two championship bouts throughout his final 4 appearances contained in the Octagon and never competing in over 14 months.
For these causes, “Rocky” and a number of others in the MMA community have pushed back closely on plans for Covington to combat for the title once more.
Fucking bum Jorge fumbled the bag as soon as once more. None of them actually deserve it. Who ought to I combat subsequent? #kingLeon
— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) April 9, 2023
And past simply the #2-ranked contender, Edwards just lately referred to as out the remainder of the division’s prime fighters for failing to definitively show that they deserve the subsequent alternative at combating for the welterweight gold.
Edwards Slams Welterweights For ‘Sitting Out & Complaining’
Throughout a recent interview with MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin, Edwards assessed the present 170-pound panorama forward of his deliberate second protection later this 12 months.
Whereas the UFC appears to be maintaining its stance that Covington is next in line, the Jamaican-born British champion believes that neither he nor anybody else within the weight class have been made to “earn” the possibility to combat for title glory to the identical extent that he was.
“These guys wish to sit out, complain, and moan in regards to the title shot with out combating,” Edwards mentioned. “I needed to do 10 in a row to get my title shot. These guys are coming off one win, one loss, one win… demanding title photographs. I really feel like they need to combat one another. Both Colby versus (Gilbert) Burns or Belal (Muhammad) versus Colby. Nonetheless they wanna do it. Whoever wins, that is me subsequent.
“The UFC hasn’t spoke to us and there is not any talks of that combat (Covington) occurring. He is simply speaking simply to speak… That is the man that sat out for over a 12 months, turned down combat after combat,” Edwards continued. “I (accepted) Khamzat (Chimaev) when nobody wished to combat Khamzat… I’m keen to combat whoever, at any time when, so long as they deserve it… There might be no giveouts, there might be no freebies right here. Go earn your means and the title shot is yours.”
For individuals who disagree with Covington receiving the chance, Belal Muhammad has continuously been introduced up as a extra deserving choice. “Bear in mind the Identify” has gone unbeaten in 10 fights, a run that features a no contest towards Edwards.
Final outing, Muhammad defeated the #5-ranked Gilbert Burns at UFC 288. As compared, Covington hasn’t defeated any of the present crop of ranked welterweights.
There’s just one actual primary contender pic.twitter.com/KgxHzfYYyu
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 24, 2023
- Learn Additionally: Neil Magny Believes Leon Edwards May Be ‘Settling’ For Title Win, Not Striving For More
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