Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns express their displeasure with Dana White’s decision to give Colby Covington the title shot against Leon Edwards at the UFC 287 press conference
“I don’t know when we’re going to do it but this is the fight that makes sense and Colby came here and cut his weight and did whatever it took to be here for this fight. He deserves the fight. Not to mention he’s the second or third best guy in the world.” So said UFC President Dana White of Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington, who may be the next welterweight title challenger.
Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns both boo after Dana White reiterated that Colby Covington will get next title fight 🗣️ #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/3xtPxunX4f
– MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) April 6, 2023
Most recently, Colby Covington competed at UFC 272 in March last year. Where he fought and defeated Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision. Both Covington and Masvidal have since been out of action, although the ‘King of Miami’ will return this Saturday against Gilbert Burns at UFC 287, Covington is still looking for a fight. The 35-year-old has also been very inactive and has only fought three times in the last three years.
Who deserved the title shot against Leon Edwards?
After defeating Kamaru Usman in the rematch, Edwards has firmly established himself as the welterweight king and is now awaiting a new challenge. The question is who it will be. In terms of rankings, Usman is still number one, but after losing to the champion twice, he’s certainly not next in line. The next four fighters in the top five are Colby Covington, Khamzat Chimaev, Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns.
Dana White is accused of favoring Colby Covington
Burns vs. Masvidal would certainly be an important fight, but it doesn’t look like the winner will get a title shot right away. Chimaev most likely won’t be fighting at welterweight anytime soon, so the remaining contenders are Covington and Belal Muhammad. Belal is on an impressive four-fight win streak but has yet to fight anyone in the top five. White is adamant about giving Covington the title, although Covington hasn’t been the most active fighter in recent years, he might get lucky this time and earn a not-so-deserved crack at welterweight gold.
