“I went on an eight-fight win streak, soon to be nine, so after I go out there and defeat Nate next weekend, I’ll be waiting for my title shot”.
Surging welterweight Leon Edwards believes that a win over Nate Diaz at UFC 263 guarantees him the next title shot, and he’s willing to sit out and wait for his opportunity.
Speaking to ESPN ahead of UFC 263 Edwards, who is on an impressive eight-fight win streak, questioned why Dana White has confirmed Colby Covington as the next title challenger without waiting to see the outcome the Diaz fight.
“I don’t know how Dana is justifying giving Colby the title shot,” Edwards said (h/t Curtis Calhoun of Low Kick MMA). “He went out there, it was an injury against Tyron Woodley, he sat out for over a year and demanded that he wants a title shot after just getting knocked out for the title like one fight ago. I just don’t understand how they’re even considering that when I’ve been here for years, grinding my way back up from my last defeat.”
“I don’t know how Dana’s justifying giving Colby the title shot next.”@Leon_edwardsmma believes he has a better case than Covington to fight Usman, but plans to face the winner after #UFC263 (via @jimmysmithmma) pic.twitter.com/PGy73f0vkG
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 10, 2021
Dodgy matchmaking aside, Edwards is comfortable waiting to fight the winner of Usman vs. Covington after he takes care of business against Diaz at UFC 263.
“I went on an eight-fight win streak, soon to be nine, so after I go out there and defeat Nate next weekend, I’ll be waiting for my title shot. There’s Usman, GSP, and me for the most wins, so I’ll go out there and prove my case.”
If Edwards delivers on his word and puts on the performance of his career on Saturday, there’s every chance White could retract his statement on Covington and grant ‘Rocky’ the next title shot instead.
UFC 263, which features Edwards vs. Diaz on the main card, takes place Saturday, June 12 at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.