Let’s be frank right here: This entire Colby Covington factor is form of bizarre. We hadn’t heard from the previous interim UFC champion for the higher a part of a 12 months, then he resurfaced out of the blue at official weigh-ins because the backup fighter for Edwards vs. Usman 3.
Then as quickly as Edwards defended the belt, the thought of Covington because the No. 1 contender was relentlessly pushed. He received the split-screen therapy throughout Edwards’ post-fight interview, was interviewed backstage straight after the principle occasion after which repeatedly talked about as a possible foe.
Maybe probably the most jarring feedback got here from UFC president Dana White, who insisted Covington “deserves” the subsequent shot whereas shutting down each different suggestion thrown his manner. In case you’ve been following this sport lengthy sufficient, “deserves” is among the most hallowed phrases within the UFC world.
We all know by now this firm shouldn’t be run as a meritocracy. If it was, Edwards would’ve had his title shot nicely earlier than he lastly received it. Belal Muhammad would most likely be subsequent in line for Edwards now. However that’s not the world we dwell in.
As an alternative it’s Covington, who hasn’t fought since a unanimous choice win over Jorge Masvidal of their heated grudge match at UFC 272 in March 2022. Later, Masvidal allegedly attacked Covington at a Miami scorching spot within the weeks after the bout.
We aren’t ignorant to the realities. Whether or not you like him or hate him, Covington attracts extra intrigue than most different contenders at 170 kilos. He’s going to advertise the title struggle towards Edwards with each fiber of his being, and that’s what the UFC needs, after all.
However to fake he “deserves” the shot greater than his contemporaries is puzzling. Covington hasn’t overwhelmed an opponent coming off a win since Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 in June 2018. His previous three fighters he’s defeated in Masvidal, Tyron Woodley and Robbie Lawler had been all on multi-fight shedding skids going into the matchups. These are simply the information.
Edwards made it clear he feels the identical manner. A lot to the champ’s credit score, he didn’t merely roll over to the thought, and raised some legitimate questions on Covington’s worthiness as his subsequent challenger.
Edwards is nicely inside his proper to level out the issues in Covington’s title shot, however on the finish of the day, that is what the UFC needs. And as a rule what the promotion needs, it will get. How a lot resistence will Edwards and his crew finally be prepared to place as much as pressure plans in a unique path? That’s the important query that can have repercussions on the UFC welterweight division.
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