Dana White: Colby Covington to Get Next UFC Welterweight Title Shot

Leon Edwards didn’t have long to enjoy his second victory over Kamaru Usman before his next assignment became apparent.

Dana White announced during the UFC 286 post-fight press conference that Colby Covington will receive the next welterweight title shot. Covington was in London to weigh-in as a back-up fighter for the main event and was very animated from his cageside seat in the aftermath of Edwards’ majority decision victory over Usman.

“I don’t know when we’ll do it but that’s the fight that makes sense and Colby came here and cut weight and did everything to be here for this fight,” White said. “He deserves the fight. Not to mention that he’s the second- or third-best guy in the world.”

Covington hasn’t competed since March 2022, when he defeated Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision in the UFC 272 headliner. Covington, a former interim title holder, twice came up short in title bouts against Usman. Edwards was less than thrilled to learn that Covington had already been anointed as the No. 1 contender.

“I don’t know how that makes sense,” Edwards said. “He hasn’t fought for over a year-and-a-half. Sat out. Not injured. I don’t get how he just slides in for the world title shot when there’s other guys in the division that have been active and fighting. Didn’t sit out. I’m the king now. I’ve earned my way, so I feel like I should decide who’s next.”

In his post-fight interview, Edwards expressed interest in the Jorge Masvidal-Gilbert Burns matchup, which is set for the co-main event of UFC 287. Edwards has a history with Masvidal stemming from a backstage altercation with “Gamebred” at a UFC London event in March 2019. White, however, dismissed the possibility of that fight producing a title contender.

“Colby gets the next shot,” White said. “No matter what happens.”