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After enduring a roller-coaster ride of uncertainty, the highly anticipated showdown between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington has finally made significant progress. The reigning welterweight champion, Edwards, who triumphantly defended his title against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 after snatching it from him last year, initially expressed frustration about facing Covington. The American fighter, who has been out of action for over a year and boasts a mixed record since 2019, didn’t quite meet the expectations of ‘Rocky’ or a section of the MMA fanbase.
However, the indomitable Dana White remained unwavering in his determination to materialize this much-discussed matchup. The decision to proceed with the Covington fight was influenced by a plethora of factors, including economic considerations, the fight’s significance, and the UFC’s preference. The Englishman and his team carefully weighed these aspects before committing to the bout. It became apparent that Covington’s high ranking, ability to generate attention, and financial potential made him an enticing choice, despite the mixed reactions from the MMA community.
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – AUGUST 20: (L-R) Leon Edwards of Jamaica lands a head kick to Kamaru Usman of Nigeria in the UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 278 event at Vivint Arena on August 20, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
Recently, the seasoned UFC veteran, Chael Sonnen, offered a major update on this welterweight title bout. He stated that while progress has been made, there remains one major question lingering still.
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Leon Edwards gives the nod to face Colby Covington
In his recent YouTube video, Chael Sonnen discussed receiving information from The Schmo, an MMA journalist, about Leon Edwards giving his approval to fight Colby Covington, despite his previous reluctance.
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The 46-year-old Sonnen confidently stated, “Leon has agreed to fight Colby,” signaling a significant development in the welterweight division. Sonnen continued his revelation by stating, “The only thing right now that’s unknown is are they gonna fight in October, the Fight Island, are they gonna fight November, Madison Square Garden?”
This uncertainty adds to the intrigue surrounding the matchup, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the official announcement.
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What do you think about Colby Covington receiving a title shot against Leon Edwards? And who are you rooting for in this fight? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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