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Leon Edwards confirms plan to defend title against Colby Covington at UFC 294 or UFC 295: ‘It’s all good’

Leon Edwards confirms plan to defend title against Colby Covington at UFC 294 or UFC 295 Following a postponed title fight with former interim champion, Colby Covington in London later this month – undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards has confirmed plans to return to the Octagon in either October or November, at UFC 294, or UFC 295, respectively. Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, minted himself as the division gold holder […]

Following a postponed title fight with former interim champion, Colby Covington in London later this month – undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards has confirmed plans to return to the Octagon in either October or November, at UFC 294, or UFC 295, respectively.

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, minted himself as the division gold holder back in August of last year, snatching the crown from former pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman with an electric high kick KO in the fifth and final round.

Returning in a title trilogy rubber match against the Nigerian at UFC 286 back in March in London, Edwards edged out the veteran former titleholder in a close, debated majority decision win on home soil.

And as a result, the Birmingham native has been tied to a potential fight with former interim gold holder, Covington – who weighed in as an official backup at UFC 286, having been sidelined since landing a grudge match decision win over the retired, Jorge Masvidal back in March of last year.

Leon Edwards confirms timeline for Colby Covington fight

Commenting on his plans for a future before the close of this year, Edwards confirmed how he expects to feature either in Abu Dhabi, UAE at UFC 294 in October, or New York City, New York at UFC 295 in November.

“I’m good, I’m back training now,” Leon Edwards told ESPN reporter, Carlos Contreras Legaspi. “I’m back in the gym, my body’s feeling good, hoping to get back in there in October of November. I think Colby (Covington) is gonna be the opponent, so it’s all good.”

“For me, [I’d rather fight in] Abu Dhabi – because it’s closer to home,” Leon Edwards explained. “But also, New York – Madison Square Garden is like a legendary arena, right? So it’ll be good to that as well so – to be fair, either or. There’s a big Jamaican population in New York, so I’d love to do that as well. Either one would be good for me.”

As for the planned November 11. card in Madison Square Garden — UFC 295 now features an official heavyweight championship fight between Jon Jones, and former two-time titleholder, Stipe Miocic.

Kamaru Usman addresses failed fight with Khamzat Chimaev: ‘I thought I was going to be fighting him too’

Former undisputed welterweight champion and prior pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman claims akin to fans and onlookers, he also believed he was destined to stand opposite the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev in his next Octagon walk – claiming “logistical things” scuppered the UFC pairing. Usman, the current number one ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since […]

Usman, the current number one ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 286 back in March in London, England, suffering a title trilogy rubber match to rival, Leon Edwards in a majority decision loss to the Brimingham native.

As for Chimaev, the current number four ranked contender has been himself out of action since he co-headlined UFC 279 back in September of last year, improving to 12-0 as a professional with a dominant first round D’Arce choke submission win over striking talent, Kevin Holland.

Yet to book his return to the Octagon, despite links to a UFC 294 return in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Chimaev has been tied to a potential fight with former undisputed welterweight kingpin, Usman, however, a clamored-for catchweight bout was thrown out by UFC president, Dana White.

Kamaru Usman claims “logistical things” have scuppered a fight with Khamzat Chimaev

However, according to Auchi native, Usman, he claims he also believed he was next in line to fight the highly-touted Chimaev in his planned return to the Octagon later this year.

“I’m good, I’m just training – falling back into love with my routine of training,” Kamaru Usman told assembled media ahead of UFC 290. “I mean, the last couple of years was just chaotic here and there, here and there. But [I’m] falling in love with that routine again. Just like you, I thought I was gonna be fighting Khamzat (Chimaev) too, but we’ll see what happens.”

Kamaru Usman says "logistical things" are to blame for him not fighting Khamzat Chimaev.

"I thought I was going to be fighting Khamzat too." pic.twitter.com/VovncRlssm

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 8, 2023

“I mean, there’s a lot of logistically things, not necessarily on my end why it didn’t happen,” Kamaru Usman explained. “I’m up here, looking good, feeling good – I’m ready to fight.”

Alexander Volkanovski plots quickfire UFC 294 return in title fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘Everyone wants that rematch’

Ahead of his UFC 290 headliner this weekend in his featherweight title unification outing, Alexander Volkanovski has announced plans to potentially make a quickfire return at UFC 294 in October, calling for a title rematch with Islam Makhachev at the lightweight limit. Volkanovski, who headlines his second International Fight Week event, is slated to headline […]

Volkanovski, who headlines his second International Fight Week event, is slated to headline UFC 290 against interim division champion, Yair Rodríguez – attempting to unify the titles against the Mexican striker as he searches out his fifth consecutive successful title defense at the featherweight limit.

Sidelined since he headlined UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia, Volkanovski suffered his first promotional loss on home soil, dropping a close, hard-fought unanimous decision defeat to Russian grappler, Makhachev in his lightweight division bow.

Alexander Volkanovski welcomes turnaround against Islam Makhachev in October

And ahead of his championship outing with Rodríguez at UFC 290 this Saturday, New South Wales technician, Alexander Volkanovski has weighed up the option of making a return in October, in a rematch against champion, Makhachev.

“I think so – let’s be real, everyone wants that rematch,” Alexander Volkanovski said of a UFC 294 turnaround against Islam Makhachev during an interview on The MMA Hour. “I want it, I know the UFC wants it, and we just gotta see exactly what’s gonna happen, but that’s what I want to do . I want to be active, so bring it on.” (H/T MMA News)

Himself expected to headline in the promotion’s return to Abu Dhabi, UAE, Makhachev managed to strike vacant lightweight gold in the Octagon’s last outing in the Middle East – stopping the 12-fight winning run of former undisputed champion, Charles Oliveira with a stunning second round arm-triangle submission win.

And expected to meet with the Sao Paulo native in a championship re-run at UFC 294 in October, Makhachev has yet to be officially booked with an opponent for the pay-per-view outing.

Khamzat Chimaev reveals Kamaru Usman fight still possible at UFC 294: ‘It could be him’

Undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev still has hope that he stands across from former undisputed division champion and former pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 in October – claiming he has yet to be approached with another fight for the Middle East return yet. Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, has […]

Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since he co-headlined UFC 279 back in September of last year, submitting Kevin Holland with a first roud D’Arce choke submission win.

The victory propelled Chimaev to 12-0 as a professional, following a close, unanimous decision win over one-time title challenger, Gilbert Burns in April of last year.

In the midst of a six-fight undefeated run since landing in the Octagon back in 2020, Chimaev has yet to be booked for his return to active competition later this year, despite the fact he appears earmarked to fight at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

And the Chechen-born contender appeared to have found himself a willing dance partner for the Etihad Arena card, with former welterweight champion, Usman offering to fight him following his trilogy rubber match title loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 286 in March.

However, UFC president, Dana White initially shot down the pairing – insisting he would not put together a catchweight contest, which both fighters appeared to welcome.

Khamzat Chimaev discusses potential return against Kamaru Usman

And according to Chimaev, a matchup with Auchi native, Usman appears to one he is still chasing, insisting he has not been offered another bout by the UFC.

“We train as usual here in Stockholm,” Khamzat Chimaev told Expressen during a recent interview. “We were in Dubai for training camp, but came back now. Then, a month before the match, we will go to Abu Dhabi. But otherwise, we train as usual here in Stockholm. We are ready for the match.”

“It could be (Kamaru) Usman, 90 percent,” Khamzat Chimaev explained. “But he’s talking about two kilos, he doesn’t want to gain two kilos. Dana White talks about 92 kilos – we’ll see. There was no other match. It’s just him.” (H/T MMA Mania)

Jared Cannonier draws links to return against unbeaten UFC star Khamzat Chimaev: ‘I plead the fifth’

Despite featuring just earlier this month in the main event of UFC Vegas 75, streaking middleweight contender, Jared Cannonier may already have his next bout in the works, that’s according to Brendan Allen – who pleaded the fifth amendment after drawing links to a fight with the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev. Cannonier, the current number three […]

Cannonier, the current number three ranked middleweight contender, managed to turn in his second straight victory earlier this month at the UFC Apex facility, turning in a shutout win over fellow one-time title challenger, Marvin Vettori in an impressive striking performance.

Linked with a quickfire return against the above-mentioned unbeaten, Chimaev off the back of his win against Italian contender, Vettori, Cannonier dismissed the pairing initially, however, welcomed the bout if he was guaranteed a title shot with a win.

“Does that fight [with Khamzat Chimaev] give me a title shot?” Jared Cannonier after UFC Vegas 75. “I don’t know, he’s not even ranked in middleweight. So, I mean, I know he’s popular. Everybody wants to see him do his thing and stuff like that. If they call me and say, ‘Hey, how’s that for contenders match?’ That’s a yes.”

“I’m trying to get to the title,” Jared Cannonier explained. “I’m not just fighting to entertain you people. You know what I mean? I know you guys want to see it. I know it will be a good fight. If that fights get me the title shot, yes. I just beat number three. I’m not looking back. I’m looking forward. I’m looking at the champion, So if Dana (White) and Hunter (Campbell) say he’s between you and a champion, then that’s something we can talk about. But if you saying would you fight Khamzat and welcome him in the division, I’m like, does that give me to the title? That’s the question I’d have for you.”

Jared Cannonier continues to draw links to a fight with Khamzat Chimaev

And according to the aforenoted, Allen – who turned in another impressive submission win at UFC Jacksonville against Bruno Silva, Cannonier may have a fight in the works already – failing to rule out that it could come against Chechen-born finisher, Chimaev.

“First off, sorry to Ali [Abdelaziz] – he told me not to call anyone out that has a fight, or (Jared) Cannonier because he potentially has a fight from what we understand,” Brendan Allen told assembled media after UFC Jacksonville. “But I already memorized all that stuff, so I was like, sh*t, I gotta go with it. I’m sorry, I’ll just have to take the heat later, it’s better to ask for forgiveness.”

And when questioned about the possibility of a fight between Jared Cannonier and Khamzat Chimaev, Allen candidly said “I plead the fifth.”

Islam Makhachev opens as sizeable betting favorite in potential rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 294

Initially closing a severe betting underdog to clinch vacant lightweight gold ahead of their UFC 280 title showdown back in October of last year, now-undisputed champion, Islam Makhachev has opened as a sizeable betting favorite once again ahead of an expected title re-run with Charles Oliveira. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, headlined UFC 284 […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, headlined UFC 284 back in February of this year in Perth, Australia – defeating featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski in a competitive unanimous decision win at the RAC Arena.

As for Oliveira, the Sao Paulo finisher managed to turn in another record-setting performance at UFC 289 earlier this month, defeating surging contender, Beneil Dariush in a one-sided first round finish, defeating the Iranian–born challenger with a scramble of first frame ground strikes en route to a a TKO win.

And immediately calling for a title rematch with Makhachev, Oliveira, the most prolific finisher and overal submission artist in the history of the UFC, has opened as a sizeable +240 betting underdog to defeat the Russian – who has himself opened as a betting favorite as high as -285 on some markets.

Oliveira has called for a Sao Paulo return in order to secure a title fight with Makhachev, however, the AKA grappler is earmarked to headline UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE – the same scene as their vacant title battle last year.

Another potential venue for the expected title re-run of Makhachev and Oliveira could come in the fight and gambling capital of the world; Las Vegas. Nevada. A slew of markets are already taking action on a potential rematch between the lightweight outliers, with freespin no deposit markets also taking action and wagers on other combat sports to boot as the Octagon is set to role into ‘Sin City’ for flagship events in July and December.

Seeing his division-best 12-fight winning run come to a crashing halt back in October of last year in the Middle East, Oliveira had previously turned in a trio of victories in undisputed lightweight title fights before his submission defeat to Makhachev.

Clinching his own vacant crown with a knockout win over Michael Chandler back in 2021, the Brazilian then stopped former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier with a third round standing rear-naked choke win in December of that year to defend the crown.

Stripped of his gold at UFC 274 last year, Oliveira missed the lightweight championship limit by just half a pound, leaving him ineligible to win spoils against Justin Gaethje, however, he would go on to submit the challenger with a first round rear-naked choke to boot.

Weighing up a host of challengers to his throne ahead of an expected title fight headliner in October on ‘Fight Island’, Makhachev, who is poised to headline at the Ethad Arena for the second year running – also previously weighed up the possibility of both rematching Volkanovski, or facing would-be common-foe, Poirier, who rematches Gaethje at UFC 291 at the end of next month with a symbolic BMF championship belt also on the line.