Colby Covington has been named as the next man in line for a shot at the UFC welterweight title, and the always-outspoken American was typically bullish on his chances of defeating Leon Edwards after watching him from cageside at UFC 286.
Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman for the second successive time after claiming a majority decision victory after five rounds at London’s O2 Arena.
Covington arrived in town earlier in the week and made a dramatic appearance at the official weigh-ins as he made championship weight as a backup fighter for the main event. Ultimately, he wasn’t called upon to step in and was a prominent figure at cageside as Edwards defeated Usman to retain his welterweight title on home soil.
After the fight, UFC president Dana White confirmed that Covington would get the next shot at the title, and the American said he fancies his chances strongly against the Jamaican-born Brit.
“The matchup looks amazing,” Covington told the UFC 286 post-fight show on ESPN.
“I love fighting southpaws. I’ve never lost to a southpaw. I’ve fought some great southpaws in my day. I just match up really well with them. The matchup is good. I can beat him everywhere. I can beat him striking. I can beat him wrestling. I can beat him (in) jiu-jitsu.
“I’ve got the fire in my soul right now. I’m hungrier than I’ve ever been in my life and I’m really coming into my prime. I’m not just saying this. This is how I feel and this is what I know. This summer, you’re going to see Colby ‘Chaos’ 2.0. You’re going to see a show you’ve never seen before. I’m coming to get that belt. Mark my words.”
Despite Edwards doing twice what Covington himself had twice failed to do – defeat Usman – “Chaos” said he wasn’t overly impressed with the champion’s performance.
“I didn’t see anything special,” he said.
“I see a guy that isn’t hungry anymore. It looks like he got the title and he made his money, and he’s kind of cashed out.
“Of course he’s going to get some home-cooking judging. He got his little home affair. Now it’s time to come see the man – the real champion, the people’s champion, the king of Miami, and the most important title: Donald Trump’s favorite fighter.”
Now, following White’s post-fight comments, it looks like Covington is the next man up to face Edwards, and the former interim champion said he’d love to challenge for the title in July at UFC 290, during UFC International Fight Week.
“Styles make fights and I’m going to finish him on home soil in America,” he said.
“Hopefully, International Fight Week in July. Let’s get this going!"
