The countdown is on. We’re less than a week away from the headlining clash at UFC 296. Leon Edwards, the main man, is left scratching his head. He just can’t figure out how Colby Covington managed to secure a title shot.
Edwards had a successful defense of his title against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 in March. Belal Muhammad was the name on everyone’s lips as the next contender. But then, Dana White threw a curveball during the post-fight media scrum. He dropped Covington’s name.
The announcement was met with protests from Muhammad and a wave of media criticism. Covington hadn’t even fought since March 2022. Despite all this, White stood his ground. He was adamant that “Chaos” deserved the shot.
Edwards has been vocal about his disapproval of Covington’s golden opportunity. He pointed out that most of Covington’s recent victories were against fighters no longer in the UFC. Edwards can only chalk it up to one thing: Covington is enjoying some “Dana White privilege.”
Edwards expressed his confusion in an interview on “The MMA Hour.” He said, “I couldn’t tell you. That’s what the UFC, that’s what everyone [wants]. I don’t know, I don’t know what the excuse is.”
He went on to say, “They brought him in in March to weigh in, random. Don’t know why. He got Dana White privilege all right, that’s it. He hasn’t earned it. Everyone he’s beaten in the last five years, they’re all retired, right? He’s been defeating guys that are at the back end of their career. And he just for some reason he’s got this mentality where he feels like he deserves more than what he’s earned. And for some reason the UFC’s gone with it.”
When the announcement of Covington’s potential title shot was made, White tried to justify his decision at the UFC 287 pre-fight press conference. He said, “Listen, Colby Covington like him or not the guy showed up in London. He cut the weight, he did what he was supposed to do. He deserves to fight against Leon there’s no doubt.”
Regardless of whether Covington deserved the shot, Edwards has a clear message for “Chaos.” He’s in for a rude awakening at UFC 296. The event is expected to be attended by former United States President Donald Trump, a known supporter of Covington. When asked if he thinks the UFC wants his opponent to win, Edwards responded, “Probably. I think Trump wants him to win. I don’t know. None of it matters, right? My whole career’s been the underdog going against the favorite.”