London, U.K. – Fresh off his first UFC title defense welterweight champion Leon Edwards almost visibly scoffed at the idea that former challenger Colby Covington would be next to challenge him for the belt.
“I don’t know how that makes sense you know. He hasn’t fought for over a year-and-a-half. Sat out. Not injured. I just don’t get how he just slides in for the world title shot when there’s other guys in the division that’s been active,” Edwards told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.
“I’m the king now. I’ve earned my way. I feel like I should decide who’s next.”
A name that is on Edwards’ mind, but many won’t believe is more deserving that Covington, is that of Jorge Masvidal who takes on Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in Miami.
“If we’re going pay-per-view wise (Edwards referring to who would be a bigger draw and thus get him paid the most in term so PPV points) i’d probably go…if Masvidal beats Burns that’s the fight to make pay-per-view wise,” he said.
“But I just don’t see how Colby sits out for a year, not injured, and then just slide in for a title shot. When I had to work my 12 fights to get there you know. When I was trying to get my title shot they’re always like saying who is he and I don’t know who he is. I’m the king now. I’ll decide.”
So no shot for Covington, but if Masvidal wins at UFC 287 then he might be the guy to get a crack at Edwards’ title?
“I (just) don’t like him. I feel like that’s the one I need to get back. Feel there’s a storyline there to tell. If he gets the job done, like I said I’ll have a look, I’ll consider it. If he’ll beg me I might let him slide in here,” Edwards said.
Regardless of who he faces next Edwards did go into detail as far as negotiations into a dream he’s had about defending a belt in a stadium show in his hometown of Birmingham.
“That’d be madness you know, but I spoke to the UFC already and they’re saying they don’t want to do a stadium show because the viewing for the fans is not the best,” Edwards told Cageside Press.
“But I think just do it anyway just to make history. I feel like you’d be able to sell it out easy. Look how quick this sell out. Hopefully we can get that in the U.K.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Leon Edwards above.
