With less than a week to go before their headlining clash at
UFC 296, Leon
Edwards still can’t make sense of how Colby
Covington got a title shot.
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Edwards successfully defended his belt in a rematch against
Kamaru
Usman at UFC 286 in March. While Belal
Muhammad was widely considered to be next in line for the title
shot, Dana White dropped Covington’s name in the post-fight media
scrum. Despite protests from Muhammad, widespread media criticism
and Covington having not fought since March 2022, White adamantly
insisted on “Chaos” getting the shot.
Edwards recently reiterated his disapproval of Covington’s gold
bid, noting most of his recent wins came against fighters who are
no longer in the UFC. With no other possible reasoning for the
move, Edwards has only one explanation: Covington enjoys “Dana
White privilege.”
“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,” Edwards
said on „The
MMA Hour.”
“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.”
Following the announcement of Covington’s potential title shot,
White attempted
to justify his decision at the UFC 287 pre-fight press
conference.
“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,” White said.
Regardless of whether Covington deserved the shot, Edwards has said
that “Chaos” is in for a rude awakening at UFC 296. The event is
expected to be attended by former United States President Donald
Trump, who is a known supporter of Covington. Edwards was asked if
he thinks the UFC wants his opponent to win.
“Probably,” Edwards said. “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.“