UFC
Analysis: This is why Colby Covington doesn’t deserve a title shot
Leon Edwards. Photo via Twitter (UFC)
At this past Saturday’s UFC 286, welterweight champion Leon Edwards defended his belt against long-time rival Kamaru Usman.
The win opened up the stacked division, and the promotion has a bunch of great fighters to match Edwards against.
However, the champion feels like he is the one to decide who should get the next shot at the title.
”I’m the king now. I’ve earned my way, so I feel like I should decide who’s next,” Edwards said after the win.
So, let’s take a look at the possible matchups for the champion!
Colby Covington
Colby Covington. Photo via Instagram (colbycovmma)
The backup for UFC 286, former two-time challenger Colby Covington, is promised the next shot at the title.
“I don’t know when we’ll do it, but that’s the fight. That makes sense,” UFC president White said at the UFC 286 post-fight press conference. ”It is Leon vs. Colby next.”
The reigning champion has another opinion though.
“I don’t know how that makes sense,” Edwards said. “He hasn’t fought for over a year-and-a-half. Sat out. Not injured. I don’t get how he just slides in for the world title shot when there’s other guys in the division that have been active and fighting. Didn’t sit out.”
Fight wise, it’s a great matchup, as it would be interesting to see how Edwards deals with the pressure of Covington. But personally, I agree with Edwards, back-to-back title fight losses and a win against Jorge Masvidal doesn’t earn you a title shot.
Gilbert Burns
Photo: USA Today
Another possible next fight is Gilbert Burns, who will face Jorge Masvidal at UFC 287 in a couple of weeks. Edwards himself claimed that he will be in Miami to watch the fight between the two former title challengers.
Fight wise it’s another great matchup. With his slick skills on both the ground and the feet – and with a heart of a champion – I think Burns could prove to be the absolute hardest test for Edwards.
Jorge Masvidal
Photo: Sarah Stier – USA TODAY Sports
It’s no secret that the champion wants revenge on Jorge Masvidal after the infamous 2019 backstage brawl where, “Gamebred” landed a ”three piece and soda” to the face of Leon Edwards.
Even though Masvidal rides a three-fight losing skid, the heated rivalry could get him a title shot if he defeats Burns at UFC 287 in Miami.
”Yeah. I just don’t like him,” Edwards said at the UFC 286 post-fight press conference. ”So I feel like that’s one I need to get back. There’s a storyline there to tell. So yeah, if he gets the job done, I’ll have a look. I’ll consider it. If he begs me, then I might let him slide in here.”
Belal Muhammad
Belal Muhammad. Photo: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports
At the UFC 286 post-fight press conference, it was annoucnced that top ranked contender Belal Muhammad will face Shavkat Rakhmonov next. If Muhammad stops the undefeated finisher in his tracks, it would be hard to deny him a title fight next.
With his relentless pace, the well-rounded fighter is a very hard challenge for Edwards, and for anyone in the division to be honest.
Shavkat Rakhmonov
Photo via Instagram (@shavkatrakhmonov94)
If Shavkat Rakhmonov comes out on top against Belal Muhammad, he will also put himself in the title mix.
As Rakhmonov finished all his 17 opponents, it would for sure be interesting to see him test himself against Leon Edwards in a five-round title fight.
Khamzat Chimaev
Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev Photo: Instagram and Frontkick
Even though it’s not very likely to happen, No. 3 ranked Khamzat Chimaev must be mentioned in this conversation, as the two were scheduled to fight three times in 2020 and 2021.
However, Dana White recently said that ”Borz” will fight at middleweight next, against a top ranked opponent.
“He’s in a position where he should be fighting top-3 guys in the world.”
Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev. Photo via Twitter (UFC)
Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev also wants a shot at the welterweight title.
”I want Leon next, October in Abu Dhabi,” Makhachev tweeted right after the fight.
However, the UFC president shot down the matchup.
”It definitely won’t be (Edwards vs. Makhachev),” White said at the UFC 286 post-fight press conference.
This is Leon Edwards
- Age: 31
- Record: 21-3-1
- UFC record: 13-2-1
- Weight: 170 lbs (77 kg)
- Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
- Reach: 74 in (188 cm)
- Post-fight bonuses: 2
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