Morning Report: Colby Covington’s Take on His Title Shot and Rivalry with Leon Edwards

In the world of UFC, the welterweight title is about to take center stage in the promotion’s last event of 2023. The reigning champion, Leon Edwards, is gearing up for his second career title defense at UFC 296 in Las Vegas next month. However, awaiting him is none other than Colby Covington, a former two-time undisputed title challenger known as “Chaos.”

Covington’s journey to this title shot has been quite a rollercoaster. He last stepped into the octagon in March 2022 when he secured a unanimous decision victory over Jorge Masvidal. This win brought his recent record to a .500 winning percentage in his past four fights, with an overall record of 17-3. Covington had previously put together an impressive seven-fight winning streak, much like Edwards’ current streak of nine (which has now extended to 11 for Edwards). However, Covington believes that his achievements and path to this title shot are far more impressive than what Leon Edwards has accomplished.

“He had the right matchups at the right time to get to that point in his career,” Covington stated in an interview with UFC.com. “He fought a lightweight washout in Nate Diaz and sat out almost two years to get his title shot. I don’t think he warranted getting a title shot after beating that guy.”

Covington takes pride in the fact that he had to earn his spot the hard way and believes that no one handed him a title shot. He contrasts this with Edwards, who, in his opinion, spent more time crying out for opportunities instead of truly earning them.

During his hiatus from competition, Covington found himself engaged in a bitter rivalry with Jorge Masvidal that extended beyond the octagon. They were involved in a legal battle stemming from an altercation outside a Miami steakhouse shortly after their fight. Fortunately, that legal dispute has now concluded, allowing both fighters to move on.

Covington revealed that he hasn’t been idle during his time away from competition; he has actively sought out opponents but claims that they didn’t accept the challenge.

“You’re not going to see me crying or freaking out like I didn’t expect to do it,” Covington confidently asserted. “I’m prepared, and I know that I am the best fighter on planet Earth at welterweight in the UFC right now. It’s going to be like I expected it.”

For Covington, it’s not just about the destination; it’s about the journey. He emphasizes the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice he has put into his career. He feels most alive when he’s inside the UFC octagon, and that’s where he believes he truly belongs.

The matchup between Edwards and Covington has a clear narrative, especially in their shared experiences against former champion Kamaru Usman. Usman secured a unanimous decision win over Edwards in December 2015 but faced defeat in his two recent clashes with the Brit. On the other hand, Covington initially suffered a fifth-round TKO loss to Usman at UFC 245 before losing a unanimous decision in their rematch at UFC 268 in November 2021.

Despite Edwards capturing the title that eluded Covington, the latter believes that his efforts played a significant role in Edwards’ journey to the championship.

Covington’s analysis of Edwards’ victory over Usman at UFC 278 is candid. “He was losing the whole fight and in the last minute, he landed his Hail Mary kick and it landed in the right spot. Usman made the wrong read and took his foot off the gas, and he paid the price,” he said. “No doubt about it, I took the fight out of Usman. His chin was never the same, and I’m the one that loosened up that chin.”

As the date for their showdown approaches, the tension between Colby Covington and Leon Edwards continues to build. UFC fans can expect an intense battle in the octagon, and there’s no shortage of storylines leading up to the fight.

In the world of mixed martial arts, this rivalry is heating up, and the welterweight division is about to witness an epic clash between two formidable fighters. Stay tuned for more updates as the countdown to UFC 296 continues.

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More about Rivalry

• UFC Official Website: For the latest updates on UFC events, fighters, and news.
• Colby Covington Profile: Explore Colby Covington’s fighter profile on the official UFC website.
• Leon Edwards Profile: Learn more about Leon Edwards and his career in the UFC.
• Kamaru Usman Profile: Find information about former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on the UFC website.
• MMAFighting: Stay updated with MMA news and analysis from MMAFighting.
• UFC 296 Event: Details about the upcoming UFC 296 event where Colby Covington and Leon Edwards will face off.