Morning Report: Leon Edwards says 'clown' Colby Covington 'in for a total shock' at UFC 296
07/12/2023 14:00
Leon Edwards is ready to secure his second title defense as the UFC welterweight champion.
The United Kingdom's "Rocky" fended off his biggest rival Kamaru Usman in the pair's immediate trilogy bout at UFC 286 when he won a majority decision this past March. Ahead of fight night, the MMA world was treated to the surprise of a wild Colby Covington appearing at the official weigh-ins as the title fight's back-up fighter if needed. Thanks to "Chaos'" willingness to take the role, he now finds himself as the next challenger set to take on Edwards at UFC 296 in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena next Saturday.
Covington, 35, is a one-time interim title holder and the clash with Edwards will be his third attempt at undisputed gold after two previous losses to the former champion Usman. The Usman rivalry left Covington 2-2 in his last four outings (17-3 overall record), leaving the challenger to rebound with a unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal in March 2022. From Edwards' perspective, this is Covington's final hope of becoming a UFC champion.
"This is his fourth title shot. I feel like he knows this is his last one," Edwards told UFC Europe. "As far as what's on the line for me, how long it took me to get it, so I feel like we've both got a lot to prove in there. So, I am 100 percent focused for the best Colby. I know he's been out for almost two years come December.
"But, I just can't see what he goes in there and does. I've been the active one. I'm the younger one. He hasn't beat no one under the age of 35, 36 since I don't know. If you're judging his wins off Robbie [Lawler], [Tyron] Woodley, and Masvidal, he's in for a total shock what's going to happen on fight night."
Despite Covington's lengthy absence, he isn't short on confidence ahead of the big return. The contender has been known for his outspoken nature along with his relentless pressure-wrestler style in the octagon. At this point, "Chaos" is largely viewed as a character by his peers within the community and not so positively. Edwards has disagreed with the idea of the matchup since its inception post-Usman trilogy, but it's all being treated as just another chapter in his reign.
"He's always playing a character, and some of the s*** he's coming out and saying just doesn't make sense to me," Edwards said. "He's like, 'I'll come back for the war that happened in America.' I was like, 'Mate, I don't even know what you're on about.'
"I think that guy is a clown. But I am focused on going out there, taking him out, defending my belt for a second time, just carrying on my journey. He's just another guy that's in my way, and I'm going to take him out."
TOP STORIES
Competition.Alexander Volkanovski on UFC 298 challenger Ilia Topuria: 'I just haven't seen that elite stuff yet'
Rivals.Daniel Cormiercontemplated bitingJon Jones during infamous UFC 178 presser brawl
Business.Eddie Alvarez: UFC negotiation tactics may be to blame for Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler delay
Health.Johnny Eblen criticizes Gordon Ryan's pro-steroid stance: 'I just don't think it's good for humans'
Assessment. Michael Chandler on recent Ian Machado Garry drama: 'He's very much a me kind of fighter'
Flyweight.Brandon Moreno set as official backup for Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval at UFC 296
Recovery.Dan Hookertargets return in '5 months' following arm surgery
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
Free fight.
PFL Dublin Championship Fight Week.
CKB's Kevin Jousset.
MORNING MUSIC
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Holding the throne.
https://t.co/wD6xJvzSEjpic.twitter.com/8Ws0cpqwwE
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) December 6, 2023
It's a work, brother.
Rick Flair and Michael Chandler pic.twitter.com/MCxlaYx3AW
— ESPN Capybara (@CapybaraAnalyst) December 6, 2023
Still crazy.
\HAPPY BIRTHDAY/
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 6, 2023
Happy birthday @kaibutsukun1206
Dec. 6th ✨
Congratulations㊗️ pic.twitter.com/9Q92XFIjrL
Rematch.
Back where everything started ⚔️
— Diana Belbiță (@DianaBelbita) December 6, 2023
February 3rd#UFC#UFCCanada#UFCRomania#DianaBelbita#ufcfightnight@ufc@UFC_CA@UFCEuropepic.twitter.com/3Mkjum2nxZ
Incredible.
He's flagged on Tapology pic.twitter.com/3AFlqfbMfS
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) December 6, 2023
Sharpe.
Unc came through Vegas ️
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) December 6, 2023
Thanks for stopping by the gym @ShannonSharpe@ClubShayShaypic.twitter.com/aFEVEybrCk
Debate.
Is choosing to be a fighter stupid? Strickland says it is. I get his point the roi on this is very low if you're not a champion or social media star (which is .01% of the 1%) but it does give you the opportunity to do those things. Just thinking out loud what do the twidiots say?
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) December 6, 2023
Hilarious.
Alex Volkanovski gets interrupted by and as he drops a mean promo for his fight with Ilia Topuria:
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) December 6, 2023
"If you love me you're going to get to see me do work and shut this fella up; if you don't like me, you're going to be disappointed that I show this little fella up."… pic.twitter.com/rzqWhaGaII
Impressive.
ICYMI: Yesterday Mya Lesnar broke the school record in the women's shot put with a mark of 18.50 meters!#Stalwart x #CSURamspic.twitter.com/9p2tMo6X8W
— Colorado State T&F/XC (@CSUTrackFieldXC) December 2, 2023
Zhalgas.
Zhalgas Zhumagulov (15-9) rompe su mala racha y gana en su debut en Naiza por TKO vía elbows y golpes de GnP a Masato Nakamura (9-8) #NAIZA55pic.twitter.com/q7XfyxCpCa
— Pelunaton (@pelunaton) December 6, 2023
Doc Mitchell.
— Bryce Mitchell (@ThugnastyMMA) December 7, 2023
UFC Vegas 83 media day.
That's a wrap on Media Day #UFCVegas83 is happening this Saturday live on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/Nd84hTJtF9
— UFC (@ufc) December 7, 2023
Yeesh.
If you've ever wondered what kind of messages women fighters get, here's an example: pic.twitter.com/cuytQhRjLf
— Diana Belbiță (@DianaBelbita) December 7, 2023
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Josh Emmett (18-4) vs. Bryce Mitchell (16-1); UFC 296, Dec. 16
Molly McCann (13-6) vs. Diana Belbiță (15-8);UFC Vegas 85, Feb. 3
Dan Ige (17-7) vs. Lerone Murphy (13-0-1); UFC Vegas 86, Feb. 10
Alex Perez (24-7) vs. Muhammad Mokaev (10-0); UFC Saudi Arabia, March 2
Katlyn Chookagian (18-5) vs. Maycee Barber (13-2); UFC 299, March 9
FINAL THOUGHTS
As Edwards vs. Covington gets closer, the more I expect it to be absurdly close. Each guy's uber confidence will cancel out and we'll get a technical classic. All at the end of some silly fight-week shenanigans, of course.
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.