Leon Edwards has suggested he will hand Jorge Masvidal a UFC title shot - if his rival begs for it.
The British star became champion last year after knocking out Kamaru Usman and he retained his title in an immediate rematch with the Nigerian at UFC 286 in London last weekend. Edwards comfortably fought his way to a points win on the judges' scorecards, and will now receive a whole host of new challenges to his throne.
This includes Colby Covington whom president Dana White suggested will be the next to challenge for the crown despite a period of absence from the octagon. However Edwards could also accommodate the winner of Masvidal's clash with Gilbert Burns that will take part at UFC 287 on April 9.
But he has suggested this is partly down to their bitter feud, which he intends to settle in the octagon after their previous failed fight. He said at the UFC 286 post-fight press conference: "Yeah, I just don't like him you know, so I feel like that's the one that I need to get back. I feel like there's a storyline there, to tell.
"So yeah, if he get's the job done, I'll have a look, I'll consider it, and if he begs me then I might let him slide in here.“I think there’s a storyline for that fight, right?. I feel the Colby fight, there’s literally no storyline. The guy sat out for a year and then slid into a title shot. It’s weird, you know? “I’m the king now, I’ve earned my way. I feel like I should decide who’s next, so yeah.”
Covington was immediately declared the next challenger to the 170lb throne but Edwards does not seem remotely interested in the clash. A grudge fight with Masvidal would likely be more appealing to the fans, given the pair's pass which saw punches thrown in a backstage brawl between the pair.
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Masvidal and Edwards were set to fight previously but 'Gamebred' pulled out after suffering an undisclosed injury. And Masvidal previously explained their feud, insisting he was annoyed after being confronted over his surprise win over Darren Till.
“When you’re talking all this c*** and then somebody gets in your face, and you’re hesitant about it? You know exactly what’s going to happen if you come from these places," Masvidal said of his altercation with Edwards during an appearance on The MMA Hour. "You see I’m walking toward you and you’re walking toward me, and you’re going to say I assaulted you? That’s coward s***."
“I’m here doing my own interview, doing my thing, I just got Fight of the Night, I just got Knockout of the Night, and I don’t give a f*** about you, Edwards. Why are you ruining my interview? This is my time to shine, you’re trying to steal that, you’re trying to talk s***."
