LONDON – Colby Covington is next in line.
Following the conclusion of the UFC 286 main event, in which Leon Edwards successfully defended the welterweight title against Kamaru Usman, UFC president Dana White confirmed to reporters including MMA Junkie that Covington will get the next crack at gold.
“I don’t know when we’ll do it, but that’s the fight that makes sense,” White said at a post-fight news conference at The O2 Arena. “Colby came here and cut weight and did everything to be here for this fight. He deserves the fight, not to mention he’s the second or third best guy in the world.”
White, after confirmation from UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell who was in the room, announced the promotion is also working on a bout between welterweight contenders Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Covington (17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) has not competed since a March 2022 victory over Jorge Masvidal. He weighed in a championship backup fighter ahead of UFC 286 and made championship weight. Outside of two losses to Usman, Covington has not lost since 2015.
With Saturday’s victory, Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) has not lost in 12 fights – since the first bout vs. Usman. Other notable victories during the stretch include Nate Diaz, Rafael dos Anjos, Gunnar Nelson, and Donald Cerrone.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.
