Leon Edwards is unimpressed with the top contenders in his division and goes so far as to provoke the top contenders.
Since reigning UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards cemented his reign by defending his title for the first time, the debate surrounding his second challenger has raged. Hot on the heels of Edwards’ second victory over Kamaru Usman, a majority decision triumph at the UFC 286 pay-per-view held in London last March, main event reserve fighter Colby Covington, was tipped to take the place. Beyond the No. 2 contender, Edwards has lately blasted the other top fighters in the division for failing to prove they deserve the next opportunity to fight for welterweight gold.
Leon Edwards does not mince his words
During a recent interview with MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin, Edwards assessed the current landscape at 170 pounds ahead of his scheduled second defense later in the year. While the UFC appears to be sticking to its stance that Covington is next in line, the Jamaican-born British champ feels that neither Colby nor anyone else in that weight class had to ‘earn’ the chance. to fight for the title to the same extent as him.
“These guys want to sit around and complain and wail about getting a title without a fight,” Edwards said. “I had to do ten in a row to get my title. These guys are coming out of a win, a loss, a win…and claiming a title shot. I think they should fight each other. Either Colby versus (Gilbert) Burns or Belal (Muhammad) versus Colby. It doesn’t matter what they want to do. Whoever wins, I’m next. »
“The UFC hasn’t spoken to us and there’s no way this (Covington) fight is going to happen. He talks just to talk… He’s the guy who sat around for over a year, turning down fight after fight,” Edwards continued. “I accepted Khamzat (Chimaev) when no one wanted to fight Khamzat…I am ready to fight anyone, anytime, as long as they deserve it…There will be no gifts, there will be no gifts. there will be no freebies here. There will be no freebies, there will be no freebies here. Win your place and the title will be yours. »
For those who disagree with Covington receiving this opportunity, Belal Muhammad has often been cited as a more deserving option. “Remember the Name” is undefeated for 10 fights, a streak that includes a no contest against Edwards. In his last fight, Muhammad defeated No. 5 ranked Gilbert Burns at UFC 288. In comparison, Covington hasn’t beaten any of the currently ranked welterweights.
What do you think of Edwards’ comments?
