Leon Edwards News
Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington will take place at either UFC 295 or UFC 296: “It’ll be before the end of the year”
Harry Kettle - September 13, 2023
Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington will reportedly take place before the end of 2023, as per Edwards’ manager Tim Simpson. Right now, the king of the UFC’s welterweight division is none other than Leon Edwards. ‘Rocky’ captured the belt from Kamaru Usman via knockout last year, before retaining it against the same man in London. At this point, he’s an established star in the Ultimate Fighting Championship – but he wants more.
Report | Leon Edwards targeted to defend his welterweight title at UFC 295 against Colby Covington
Cole Shelton - July 20, 2023
Leon Edwards will be returning to the Octagon in November. UFC president Dana White told TNT Sports Adam Catterall that the promotion is working on Edwards vs. Colby Covington to serve as the co-headliner of UFC 295. The event is set to take place on November 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York with Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic heavyweight title fight serving as the main event.
Islam Makhachev calls for welterweight title fight against Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - July 18, 2023
Islam Makhachev is hoping to fight Leon Edwards next time out. Makhachev is the UFC’s reigning lightweight champ and is coming off a decision win over Alexander Volkanovski back in February. Since then, he has been campaigning to get a fight but nothing has come to fruition. As well, with Charles Oliveira saying he won’t be ready in October, there is no clear-cut next contender for Makhachev to defend his belt against. With that, Makhachev is looking to fight for the UFC’s welterweight title in October in Abu Dhabi.
Jorge Masvidal says Leon Edwards "just crossed a line" in altercation at UFC London: “I don’t have nothing personal”
Susan Cox - June 9, 2023
Jorge Masvidal says Leon Edwards “just crossed a line” in their previous altercation at UFC London. It was back in March of 2019, at UFC London that Masvidal (35-17 MMA) was giving an interview to Laura Sanko of UFC/ESPN, following his knockout victory over Darren Till (18-5 MMA) when Edwards interrupted the exchange.
UFC champion Leon Edwards upset he will never get to “put a beating” on Jorge Masvidal inside of the Octagon: “That’s the one that got away”
Fernando Quiles - May 28, 2023
UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards admits that he wishes he got a chance to fight Jorge Masvidal. There was bad blood between “Rocky” and “Gamebred.” Back in March 2019 after a UFC London event, Edwards and Masvidal crossed paths. Masvidal was in the midst of an interview when the two exchanged words. Masvidal approached Edwards and punched him in the face.
Nate Diaz shares high praise for former opponent and current UFC champion Leon Edwards: “He’s great”
Harry Kettle - May 12, 2023
Former UFC star Nate Diaz has praised former opponent Leon Edwards for his work ethic, almost two years on from their UFC 263 collision. On August 5, former UFC sensation Nate Diaz will return to combat sports. However, as opposed to mixed martial arts, he’ll be venturing into the squared circle for a boxing match. When he does, he’ll go head to head with Jake Paul in a meeting that has been years in the making.
Colby Covington blasts Leon Edwards for turning down title fight in London: "The disrespect he has towards his own people is disgusting"
Cole Shelton - May 8, 2023
Colby Covington has taken aim at Leon Edwards for delaying their title fight. After Edwards defended his belt for the first time at UFC 286 in March, it was revealed that Covington would be next. At the time, no date was revealed but the plan was for them to fight at UFC 291 on July 22 in London, England. However, the Brit turned it down citing that he needed more time, which left Covington frustrated as he doesn’t understand why Edwards wouldn’t want to fight in his home country.
Muhammad Usman says Leon Edwards didn’t beat his brother in trilogy fight at UFC 286: “If that fight was in America, Kamaru would have won”
Susan Cox - May 4, 2023
Muhammad Usman doesn’t believe Leon Edwards beat his brother Kamaru in their trilogy fight at UFC 286. It is Mohammed Usman’s belief that the most recent fight between his brother, Kamaru Usman, and Leon Edwards would have had a much different ending had it taken place in the United States.
Leon Edwards opens up on his relationship with UFC President Dana White amid Colby Covington controversy: “It's alright, we're not the best pals”
Lewis Simpson - April 14, 2023
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards opens up on his relationship with UFC President Dana White amid the Colby Covington controversy. In March, at UFC 286, Edwards successfully completed the double over Kamaru Usman, earning a majority decision on the judges’ scorecards. Colby Covington, the UFC’s favourite heel, weighed in as the backup fighter in case anything was to unexpectedly occur.
Gilbert Burns explains why he would prefer to fight Colby Covington for the UFC welterweight title over Leon Edwards
Susan Cox - April 14, 2023
Gilbert Burns is explaining why he would prefer to fight Colby Covington for the UFC welterweight title over Leon Edwards. It was earlier this month at UFC 287 where Gilbert Burns (22-5 MMA) defeated Jorge Masvidal (35-17 MMA) via unanimous decision in the welterweight co-main event.
Leon Edwards closes the door on July return in London, eyes Abu Dhabi card in October
Lewis Simpson - April 13, 2023
Leon Edwards closed the door on returning on July 22 at the rumoured UFC 291 event in London, England. Instead, the welterweight champion eyes a second title defence in Abu Dhabi in October. Edwards is coming off back-to-back wins against the former pound-for-pound king, Kamaru Usman. The Brit made the first successful defence of his title last month at UFC 286, edging a close majority decision in front of a home crowd in London.
Colby Covington reveals the UFC has promised him that Leon Edwards will face consequences if he refuses fight
Harry Kettle - April 11, 2023
Colby Covington has claimed that the UFC will strip Leon Edwards of the UFC welterweight championship if he refuses to fight him. Following UFC 286, UFC president Dana White made it known that Colby Covington is set to be the next challenger for Leon Edwards’ UFC title. The news came despite the fact that ‘Chaos’ hasn’t fought in over a year since he defeated Jorge Masvidal. Edwards, meanwhile, is coming off the back of consecutive victories over Kamaru Usman.
Kevin Holland "unfortunately" believes Colby Covington will win UFC gold in his return: "Does anyone really actually like Colby?"
Josh Evanoff - April 5, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Kevin Holland has chimed in on Colby Covington’s return. ‘Trail Blazer’ has been out of the octagon since his fight night main event with Stephen Thompson in December. In that outing, ‘Wonderboy’ dominated en route to a fourth-round stoppage victory. The defeat was Holland’s second in a row, having previously lost by submission to Khamzat Chimaev.
Belal Muhammad shares his thoughts on rumored Colby Covington vs. Leon Edwards title fight at UFC 291: "I step in and finish Colby in 2"
Chris Taylor - April 1, 2023
Belal Muhammad has shared his thoughts on the rumored Colby Covington vs. Leon Edwards title fight at UFC 291. Yesterday afternoon Sports Illustrated reported that ‘Edwards vs. Covington’ is being targeted to headline UFC 291 on July 22nd in London, England.
Report | Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington targeted for UFC 291 in London
Cole Shelton - March 31, 2023
Leon Edwards will be fighting Colby Covington next. After Edwards earned a majority decision win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 to defend his welterweight title for the first time, Dana White said Covington would be next. Yet, the Brit said he wouldn’t take the fight as he felt ‘Chaos’ didn’t deserve it. However, after White doubled down on Covington being next in line, the fight is now targeted to happen at UFC 291 on July 22 in London, England according to Sports Illustrated.
Chael Sonnen discusses the possibility of Colby Covington dethroning welterweight champion Leon Edwards: “Become the biggest villain to be UFC champion in the sport's history”
Harry Kettle - March 29, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has looked ahead to a possible future in which Colby Covington becomes UFC welterweight champion. Following Leon Edwards’ win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286, Dana White confirmed that Colby Covington is next in line for the belt. In the eyes of many, this came as something of a surprise.
Dana White responds after Leon Edwards claims he won't accept a fight with Colby Covington: "It’s going to be Colby next"
Chris Taylor - March 25, 2023
UFC President Dana White has responded after Leon Edwards claimed he would not accept a fight with Colby Covington next. After Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman in their trilogy fight at UFC 286, Dana White confirmed to reporters that Colby Covington would be next up for a shot at ‘Rocky’s’ coveted welterweight world title.
Teddy Atlas explains how Kamaru Usman’s “cloak of invincibility” was taken away in knockout loss to Leon Edwards
Harry Kettle - March 22, 2023
Legendary boxing coach Teddy Atlas has given his thoughts on how Leon Edwards was able to take away Kamaru Usman’s invincibility. Last weekend at UFC 285, Leon Edwards was able to defeat Kamaru Usman via majority decision. It marked the second time he was able to do so, following on from his head kick knockout win last summer.